Cleaning 20d sensor?
Discussion
It's down to you.
There are those here that recommend paying £20 ish and going to a dealer & getting their sensors cleaned.
There are those that DIY...
Your choice.
I use "PecPads" from ChilliPix. Not a cheap kit at around £35 inc import duty, but really easy to use, clear instructions.
Take your time & you'll be OK. (famous last words!)
Chris
There are those here that recommend paying £20 ish and going to a dealer & getting their sensors cleaned.
There are those that DIY...
Your choice.
I use "PecPads" from ChilliPix. Not a cheap kit at around £35 inc import duty, but really easy to use, clear instructions.
Take your time & you'll be OK. (famous last words!)
Chris
Quite a few people do this themselves, and if you take a bit of care then there isn't really anything to worry about.
I usually clean my sensor (Canon 1Ds Mk II) in 3 stages, although normally only two stages are required.
1) Hold camera upside down (with the lens removed, and camera in sensor cleaning mode) and blow with Giotto Rocket blower brush - I tend to do this whenever I change lens, and as part of my preparations when packing up my camera.
2) If there is any dust left on the sensor, I then give it a clean using a Sensor Brush which I bought from Fixation.
I've found this to be really effective, easy to use, and less nerve-wracking than the cleaning pad + fluid methods, which I now reserve for really stubborn dirt (stage 3). Since I've started using the Sensor Brush however, I've not actually had to use anything else.
You'll also need a can of compressed air (you can get these from most camera shops e.g., Jessops) to blow the brush (NOT the camera sensor) after each sweep, but they also do a newer type of brush that spins and doesn't require this.
I usually clean my sensor (Canon 1Ds Mk II) in 3 stages, although normally only two stages are required.
1) Hold camera upside down (with the lens removed, and camera in sensor cleaning mode) and blow with Giotto Rocket blower brush - I tend to do this whenever I change lens, and as part of my preparations when packing up my camera.
2) If there is any dust left on the sensor, I then give it a clean using a Sensor Brush which I bought from Fixation.
I've found this to be really effective, easy to use, and less nerve-wracking than the cleaning pad + fluid methods, which I now reserve for really stubborn dirt (stage 3). Since I've started using the Sensor Brush however, I've not actually had to use anything else.
You'll also need a can of compressed air (you can get these from most camera shops e.g., Jessops) to blow the brush (NOT the camera sensor) after each sweep, but they also do a newer type of brush that spins and doesn't require this.
As Chris says, down to you.
If you're not feeling brave, use someone like www.fixationuk.com if you'er near London (devil to find, even when you get in the building!).
Have you tried "googling" or looking through sites like Fred Miranda, Luminous Landscape and dpreview?
The DIY possibilities are:
1) leave it and tidy up in post processing (do Canon have the Nikon software option of taking a reference image which you can use to "negate" the effect?)
2) try a blower (hand one - no compressed gases or stuff!!!)
3) use a brush (some sites specifically recommend particular artists brushes and a neat method) but be very careful what you use, you can end up putting more guff on the filter and scratching it, and (unless you wanted to remove the IR filter and do more IR effects) that's not a good idea
)
4) proprietary pads and solutions
(Have I missed anything?)
Edit: Dammit took a 'phone call since I started and find it's all been better put by Ed
>> Edited by beano500 on Wednesday 11th January 10:58
If you're not feeling brave, use someone like www.fixationuk.com if you'er near London (devil to find, even when you get in the building!).
Have you tried "googling" or looking through sites like Fred Miranda, Luminous Landscape and dpreview?
The DIY possibilities are:
1) leave it and tidy up in post processing (do Canon have the Nikon software option of taking a reference image which you can use to "negate" the effect?)
2) try a blower (hand one - no compressed gases or stuff!!!)
3) use a brush (some sites specifically recommend particular artists brushes and a neat method) but be very careful what you use, you can end up putting more guff on the filter and scratching it, and (unless you wanted to remove the IR filter and do more IR effects) that's not a good idea
) 4) proprietary pads and solutions
(Have I missed anything?)
Edit: Dammit took a 'phone call since I started and find it's all been better put by Ed
>> Edited by beano500 on Wednesday 11th January 10:58
I occasionally give mine a going over with the 'copperhill method' (pecpads on spatulas with Eclipse fluid - search on www.dpreview.com for more on this)
Bit scary the first time, but afterwards it's a breeze. Have actually done it 'in-the-field' a few times now.
Bit scary the first time, but afterwards it's a breeze. Have actually done it 'in-the-field' a few times now.
In the menu (you have to be in P, Av, etc.) there will be an option towards the bottom called "sensor cleaning".
This will lock up the mirror and open the shutter so you can see and clean the sensor. Once done, turn it off and on again and you are done.
To get an idea of what marks you have on there take a shot of something with a flat colour (blue sky, not seen much in the UK is good, but a plain light wall or even a piece of A4 is good) at the smallest aperture you can (if indoors flash is usually required for this).
The resulting image will show up every piece of dust and crap on your sensor, so clean and then re-shoot to see how much you got rid of...
This will lock up the mirror and open the shutter so you can see and clean the sensor. Once done, turn it off and on again and you are done.
To get an idea of what marks you have on there take a shot of something with a flat colour (blue sky, not seen much in the UK is good, but a plain light wall or even a piece of A4 is good) at the smallest aperture you can (if indoors flash is usually required for this).
The resulting image will show up every piece of dust and crap on your sensor, so clean and then re-shoot to see how much you got rid of...
stuh said:
Hello all. I've somehow managed to get loads of dust inside my 20d whilst skiing over new year 
Initially i thought it was just on the lens or filter, but alas, not so. Is this something i can do myself or should i just get the camera into a dealer?
Thanks in advance.
I use sensor brushes. bit expensive to buy though.
Luminous Landscape has an interesting and recent article on this very subject induced by the introduction of a new brush by one of the bigger players in the game.
Here's the link.
www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/accessories/arctic-butterfly.shtml
Here's the link.
www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/accessories/arctic-butterfly.shtml
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