dSLR sensor cleaning...?

[Podie]

My 300D needs a sensor clean... anyone got any recommendations of where I can get this done - I'd rather not do it myself, or send it off... (ideally somewhere near London or Northampton!)

TIA

[SGirl]

Podie said:

My 300D needs a sensor clean... anyone got any recommendations of where I can get this done - I'd rather not do it myself, or send it off... (ideally somewhere near London or Northampton!)

TIA

Do it yourself!!

Honestly. It's not that hard. Even I can do it. WE sells a kit with the swabs and fluid and stuff that you need.

Okay. I admit that every time I do it, I'm a nervous wreck. But it gets better after the first few times!

[Focused]

I take my cameras here http://www.fixationuk.com/ They're not cheap but they do an excellent job.

[Podie]

Focused said:

I take my cameras here http://www.fixationuk.com/ They're not cheap but they do an excellent job.

their website said:

Our current labour charges for cleaning full-frame sensors are £50 +VAT, and for all other sensors £25 +VAT

Doesn't sound too bad...

[EmmaP]

My local Calumet recommend Fixation.

I use a Giotto Hurricane blower because I know that as soon as I get my sensor cleaned and switch lenses it will need a clean again. It gets rid of most specs. I'm too scared to use the swabs, despite assurances that they aren't realy that tricky to use.

[davidd]

EmmaP said:

My local Calumet recommend Fixation.

I use a Giotto Hurricane blower because I know that as soon as I get my sensor cleaned and switch lenses it will need a clean again. It gets rid of most specs. I'm too scared to use the swabs, despite assurances that they aren't realy that tricky to use.

Hi Emma

Where did you get the blower and how much was it?

The thing that concerns me about using a blower is how do you blow the stuff out of the camera? Does it not just move about?

Cheers

D

[EmmaP]

I bought mine from Calumet. I can't find it on their website though.

It doesn't get rid of the dust completely, just blows it off the chip, some no doubt from one part to another. It isn't a perfect solution but it does make a visible difference.

[beano500]

I can give another thumbs up for sticking it into (oo-er!) Fixation for a quick scrub up - seem nice people too. Did that to the first dSLR and I swear it was cleaner than when it came out of the factory. I can concur with being nervous about a diy job, so I'm building up to that gradually!

[stigmundfreud]

I recently did a thread on the joys of cleaning a sensor and it was recommended to get an artic butterfly

stupid price (65 quid) for what it is BUT it worked brilliantly.

worth looking into

[mikef]

I've always used Fixation, really good service

Anyone been since they moved location? How many minutes walk from Vauxhall?

[Podie]

Well, it's an odd one this.... I thought the sensor needed cleaning having looked the pictures I took at the weekend.... see the example below.



However, upon closer examination last night, it seems that the Sigma UV filter on the lens has delaminated...! (not sure if that's the correct term, but bits of it are peeling off!!!)

Good news is that a sensor clean isn't quite as urgent (although I'll probably go ahead with one anyway).... bad news is, world of work in photoshop to tidy up the mess...

[F308 MAN]

Podie said:

... it seems that the Sigma UV filter on the lens has delaminated ....

Mmmm ... why pay £££'s for a lens and then stick a 20p filter on it ?

d

[Podie]

F308 MAN said:

Podie said:

... it seems that the Sigma UV filter on the lens has delaminated ....

Mmmm ... why pay £££'s for a lens and then stick a 20p filter on it ?

d

It was one of the more expensive filters... anyway, lesson learned and said item is now considered to the round recepticle on the floor...

[stigmundfreud]

F308 MAN said:

Podie said:

... it seems that the Sigma UV filter on the lens has delaminated ....

Mmmm ... why pay £££'s for a lens and then stick a 20p filter on it ?

d

dont be starting that debate again!!!

[poah]

buy an artic butterly and make sure the battery is fully charged whe you use it. really quite safe and will pay for itself after two cleans

[Podie]

poah said:

buy an artic butterly and make sure the battery is fully charged whe you use it. really quite safe and will pay for itself after two cleans

Might well risk it... especially as we have two dSLRs in the house...

[stigmundfreud]

those spots on your image do look like dust

as said the artic butterfly is really good. Way too exensive when you see what it is and it looks/feels like its made in china by someone working for 3 grains of rice a year

but it really did the job

[spitfire-ian]

Would a normal air duster do it?

[stigmundfreud]

spitfire-ian said:

Would a normal air duster do it?

not really and try not to use compressed air cans either

[spitfire-ian]

stigmundfreud said:

spitfire-ian said:

Would a normal air duster do it?

not really and try not to use compressed air cans either

That's what I meant. I've only got one mark on the sensor so I'll leave it be for now