If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
First sensor cleaning - tips?
The Canon 20D's a couple of weeks old now; getting used to it through
experimentation. Its time for me to learn/practice how to clean the CMOS sensor, before I start to "shoot for the record". From what I've picked up in reading so far, there generally seems to be three basic skills that I'm going to need to develop: 1. How to determine if the sensor needs cleaning 2. A dry cleaning 3. A wet cleaning For the first, the process seems to be to shoot an (out of focus?) image of a blank white wall and then look for spots. For the second, this would be a blow and brush. For the third, this is reserved for when (2) doesn't clean up a stubborn spot. FAQ's / How-to webpages and/or other comments would be greatly appreciated. I've looked through the archives and several random webpages on the subject seen a couple of very different (contradictory) comments on various aspects of these steps, such as the use of a air bulb -vs- compressed air -vs- CO2 and issues/concerns with some of the latter potential containing an oil residue within, etc, etc. At this point, I'm looking for some concensis opinion on what would represent at least one way to "skin the cat" to get rid of / prevent bad dust spotting. TIA, -hh |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
First sensor cleaning - tips?
-hh wrote:
The Canon 20D's a couple of weeks old now; getting used to it through experimentation. Its time for me to learn/practice how to clean the CMOS sensor, before I start to "shoot for the record". I first suggest patience. I've had a DSLR since March, and shoot a lot, with a lot of lens changes. Dust motes really began to appear noticable recently (yes there were a few, but almost never noticable in a finished image). So, the other day did the first cleaning of the sensor in 8 months. I used a small blower bulb with a thin tube attached and holding the camera lens end down, squirted air onto the sensor from a distance of 1/4 to 1/2 inch. It took 5 or 6 tries before most (not all) of the dust motes were removed. I then used "canned" air ***CAUTION*** with very short bursts and not anywhere near full pressure. ****CAUTION**** clear the tube by shooting a good blast away from the camera and always keep the can upright. There are still a couple stubborn motes, but not noticable in an ordinary photo. I'll eventually get a "wipe" kit. For the first, the process seems to be to shoot an (out of focus?) image of a blank white wall and then look for spots. I find the best way is set for a small aperture (eg: f/22) and set exposure for 2 to 4 seconds (say an interior wall indirectly lit by sunlight). Out of focus and point at wall and expose while moving the camera around (circling motion). This blurs out all wall detail, but of course the dust remains right where it is creating a shaddow image of the dust on the sensor. Then in the monitor (on camera) zoom in and scan around for the dust, or upload to PC and do the same (at 100% magnification, of course). At this point, I'm looking for some concensis opinion on what would represent at least one way to "skin the cat" to get rid of / prevent bad dust spotting. Prevention: change lenses in the cleanest environment possible. OTOH, the lenses "breath" as they focus/zoom so dust is always being brought into the lens barel, and some of that will get into the camera body at some point. Not really prevention as much as delaying the inevitable. Cheers, Alan -- -- r.p.e.35mm user resource: http://www.aliasimages.com/rpe35mmur.htm -- r.p.d.slr-systems: http://www.aliasimages.com/rpdslrsysur.htm -- [SI] gallery & rulz: http://www.pbase.com/shootin -- e-meil: Remove FreeLunch. |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
First sensor cleaning - tips?
Check out VisibleDust
www.visibledust.com Don't be like me and 'experiment' first. "-hh" wrote in message ups.com... The Canon 20D's a couple of weeks old now; getting used to it through experimentation. Its time for me to learn/practice how to clean the CMOS sensor, before I start to "shoot for the record". From what I've picked up in reading so far, there generally seems to be three basic skills that I'm going to need to develop: 1. How to determine if the sensor needs cleaning 2. A dry cleaning 3. A wet cleaning For the first, the process seems to be to shoot an (out of focus?) image of a blank white wall and then look for spots. For the second, this would be a blow and brush. For the third, this is reserved for when (2) doesn't clean up a stubborn spot. FAQ's / How-to webpages and/or other comments would be greatly appreciated. I've looked through the archives and several random webpages on the subject seen a couple of very different (contradictory) comments on various aspects of these steps, such as the use of a air bulb -vs- compressed air -vs- CO2 and issues/concerns with some of the latter potential containing an oil residue within, etc, etc. At this point, I'm looking for some concensis opinion on what would represent at least one way to "skin the cat" to get rid of / prevent bad dust spotting. TIA, -hh |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
First sensor cleaning - tips?
I experimented first. A word of advice - don't use sandpaper, as
there's a possible risk of damage. Last week I wrapped a Calotherm lens cloth around the end of a chopstick, folded over to give a flat edge of cloth, which I then sprayed with lens cleaning spray. This sort of worked, except that I gave up with the chopstick and simply wrapped the Calotherm cloth around my finger in the end. I got rid of the dust I was after, but in doing so, managed to fill the camera with about five times as much dust as was there hitherto (mainly around the edges where my finger doesn't reach. A few days later I purchased a nice nylon paintbrush, and a rocket blower. The brush has proved most effective for significant dust build-up, and the blower gets rid of transient dust. I change lenses quite frequently, and have only had the camera a matter of a month or so, and dust has already become an irritation. Hopefully I'll get in the swing of it after a while. |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
First sensor cleaning - tips?
-hh wrote:
[.. he wants to clean his sensor ..] www.google.com: how to clean a dslr sensor groups.google.com: how to clean a dslr sensor Like tying shoelaces, or using a fork, there isn't much more that can be said about this beyond that being a clean freak is Really, Really, Bad when it comes to optics. |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
First sensor cleaning - tips?
"Ian Tindale" wrote in message oups.com... I experimented first. A word of advice - don't use sandpaper, as there's a possible risk of damage. hahaha Last week I wrapped a Calotherm lens cloth around the end of a chopstick, folded over to give a flat edge of cloth, which I then sprayed with lens cleaning spray. This sort of worked, except ....... Christ i hope you are still joking. |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
First sensor cleaning - tips?
"Barry Hartigan" wrote in message
news:Uo%if.10406$dv.4960@fed1read02... Check out VisibleDust www.visibledust.com Don't be like me and 'experiment' first. Rather than spending a small fortune for their nylon brushes, you can pick up a good nylon cosmetic brush for around $ 10.00 or so, works just fine. |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
First sensor cleaning - tips?
Don't all sensors have an IR filter on them, so the risk of damage is
generally the same as cleaning a lens, e.g. removing coatings or scratching the glass? |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
First sensor cleaning - tips?
Peter A. Stavrakoglou wrote: "Barry Hartigan" wrote in message news:Uo%if.10406$dv.4960@fed1read02... Check out VisibleDust www.visibledust.com Don't be like me and 'experiment' first. Rather than spending a small fortune for their nylon brushes, you can pick up a good nylon cosmetic brush for around $ 10.00 or so, works just fine. Yes. I've used most recognized ways, and the nylon cosmetics brush is best and cheapest IMO. Except I paid $1.97 for mine at WalMart after I didn't like the size of the extra my wife had. I washed it with distilled water, rinsed very well, then used a can of compressed air to blow through it and set some static to lift dust. Works like a charm. To check for dust if it isn't showing up in photos, I go outside, find some sky, set the lens to f22 and shoot. That shows it up well, and is a check I make after cleaning, too. For all this, it is usually three to five months between cleanings, even in the dust-laden environments I usually shoot in (woodworking shops, garages, etc.). |
|
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Canon Digital Rebel - Quick Tips | Manzoorul Hassan | Digital Photography | 5 | May 3rd 05 01:44 AM |
Free photography tips and news feed | David | 35mm Equipment for Sale | 0 | September 9th 04 06:36 PM |
free photography tips and newsfeed | David | Digital Photo Equipment For Sale | 0 | September 9th 04 06:36 PM |
Forum use: Hints & Tips | kevin | About PhotoBanter.com | 0 | July 3rd 04 08:34 PM |
Restaurant/food promo photography - any tips? | Lionel | General Photography Techniques | 1 | May 28th 04 09:20 AM |