Cleaning the sensor

lynnma · September 5, 2004

I'm about to clean the sensor on my DRebel for the first time. I have so much junk on the shots, mots, fluff goodness know how. Is there anything I should know before I attempt?? I'tll be a first for me and I'm "skeered".

Lynn:huh

DavidTO · September 5, 2004

lynnma wrote:

I'm about to clean the sensor on my DRebel for the first time. I have so much junk on the shots, mots, fluff goodness know how. Is there anything I should know before I attempt?? I'tll be a first for me and I'm "skeered".

Lynn

I've never done it, but I found this.

And this.

ginger_55 · September 5, 2004

lynnma wrote:

I'm about to clean the sensor on my DRebel for the first time. I have so much junk on the shots, mots, fluff goodness know how. Is there anything I should know before I attempt?? I'tll be a first for me and I'm "skeered".

Lynn

I would have it done, locally if possible. I read something scary. So even if the booklet does give instructions, I would be too scared.

And you all know how up on it I am lately. If I could SNAFU it, I would.

Ask Andy, Sid, the old timers............ or particularly people who are old timers, but who have owned a Rebel. Or go to dpreview, register and ask them, or use their archives. Invaluable stuff!

Just my take. I have times, too, when I think my sensor needs cleaning, am letting it go so far.

In addition to my exposure SNAFU at the beach, I changed lenses, thought the camera bag was safe for a minute, accidentally left the top open. Just in the right direction for the hole digging dogs to throw all of their sand in.

I am batting 100 here. I will agree with you, though, on my saved shots..........better than if they were straight. However there were a lot of complete losses. I would not clean a sensor right now if you paid me.

Thanks for commenting on my thread, even if that is your role here. I was afraid it was going to be buried and no one would see it. Yesterday was a full and fun day. I am catholic, you know, up and down......... I could feel the effects of yesterday in my muscles, today. To sit on rock with a fierce tide coming in, the wind roaring, etc. It was beyond anything I thought was still in my life.

ginger

Andy · September 5, 2004

sensor cleaning - nothing to be afraid of
and, something that every dslr owner should be able to do for themselves...

my method is the "copperhill" method, described right here

you need "eclipse" cleaning solution and either you make your own swipes as described in the copperhill pages or you buy "sensor swabs"

the first time may feel a bit daunting but after that, it's a cinch, takes about five minutes or less.

lynnma · September 5, 2004

andy wrote:

and, something that every dslr owner should be able to do for themselves...

my method is the "copperhill" method, described right here

you need "eclipse" cleaning solution and either you make your own swipes as described in the copperhill pages or you buy "sensor swabs"

the first time may feel a bit daunting but after that, it's a cinch, takes about five minutes or less.

Thanks Andy.. I knew there must be more to this than just blowing into the lens..

Lynn

Andy · September 5, 2004

i never ever blow

lynnma wrote:

Thanks Andy.. I knew there must be more to this than just blowing into the lens..
Lynn

some folks like the gitzo rocket blower, i find that makes things worse. i don't blow inside the camera, i only use my blower on the lens, front and rear, before i do my lens cleaning (blow, mink brush, then cloth)

wxwax · September 5, 2004

andy wrote:

some folks like the gitzo rocket blower, i find that makes things worse.

dkapp · September 5, 2004

andy wrote:

some folks like the gitzo rocket blower, i find that makes things worse.

I found out the hard way. When it came time to clean the sensor for the first time, I was willing to try anything before touching the sensor. I had about 12-15 specks before I used the blower. When I was finished, I had 100+. It was a mess. I was forced to use the copperhill method & it went fine.

Dave

lynnma · September 5, 2004

dkapp wrote:

I found out the hard way. When it came time to clean the sensor for the first time, I was willing to try anything before touching the sensor. I had about 12-15 specks before I used the blower. When I was finished, I had 100+. It was a mess. I was forced to use the copperhill method & it went fine.

Dave

Me thinks maybe I should stay with the motts for a week or two...

pathfinder · September 6, 2004

lynnma wrote:

Me thinks maybe I should stay with the motts for a week or two...

No blower! - Eclipse fluid and sensor swabs are the ticket. The swabs are expensive, but a lot cheaper than a new sensor. Kind of like all new initiations - the first time is the most exciting, after that it becomes routine

lynnma · September 6, 2004

pathfinder wrote:

No blower! - Eclipse fluid and sensor swabs are the ticket. The swabs are expensive, but a lot cheaper than a new sensor. Kind of like all new initiations - the first time is the most exciting, after that it becomes routine

shall I just order the stuff online? or shall I go shopping to a camera store.. it's about $38 online.. seems like a lot to get rid of motts.. hmmm, really buggin me tho. I have to go over everthing with a fine tooth comb... just in case Pathfinder sees the shot.. he's got an eye for motts.

Andy · September 6, 2004

good prices

lynnma wrote:

shall I just order the stuff online? or shall I go shopping to a camera store.. it's about $38 online.. seems like a lot to get rid of motts.. hmmm, really buggin me tho. I have to go over everthing with a fine tooth comb... just in case Pathfinder sees the shot.. he's got an eye for motts.

here's a good deal on eclipse fluid

sensor swabs are $48 per box, haven't found a better price anywhere,

lynnma · September 6, 2004

andy wrote:

here's a good deal on eclipse fluid

sensor swabs are $48 per box, haven't found a better price anywhere,

thanks andy.:D

DavidTO · September 6, 2004

andy wrote:

here's a good deal on eclipse fluid

sensor swabs are $48 per box, haven't found a better price anywhere,

$42.95 at B&H

Edit: But they won't ship the Eclipse solution. Adorama will, and they have the sensor swabs for the same price.

lynnma · September 6, 2004

DavidTO wrote:

$42.95 at B&H

Edit: But they won't ship the Eclipse solution. Adorama will, and they have the sensor swabs for the same price.

Thanks.. I ordered some.. phew.. expensive arn't they.. now I have to get solution.. they won't deliver through the mail..:D

lynnma · September 6, 2004

Now I decided I need to put some of my favorite pics in a portfolio instead of having them strewn about all over the place.. what and where do you suggest the best for the best price...

Lynn

lynnma · September 9, 2004

sensor swabs
My sensor swabs arrived...now I have to go buy the fluid, they don't ship it in the mail.. I've printed out just about every tutorial there is on "cleaning the sensor" and I have a bottle of Tanquary and a lime ready for after (the tutorial says to do that. I'll pick a day when I'm feeling very brave and competent.. (not today) and I'll post the results. It's gonna be ok right??

DoctorIt · September 9, 2004

lynnma wrote:

My sensor swabs arrived...now I have to go buy the fluid, they don't ship it in the mail.. I've printed out just about every tutorial there is on "cleaning the sensor" and I have a bottle of Tanquary and a lime ready for after (the tutorial says to do that. I'll pick a day when I'm feeling very brave and competent.. (not today) and I'll post the results. It's gonna be ok right??

I'm headed down to Hunt's today... want me to see if they have some?

DavidTO · September 9, 2004

lynnma wrote:

My sensor swabs arrived...now I have to go buy the fluid, they don't ship it in the mail.. I've printed out just about every tutorial there is on "cleaning the sensor" and I have a bottle of Tanquary and a lime ready for after (the tutorial says to do that. I'll pick a day when I'm feeling very brave and competent.. (not today) and I'll post the results. It's gonna be ok right??

Check my post above. After linking to B&H, I found Adorama will shipt the fluid. The link's in the post.

lynnma · September 9, 2004

DoctorIt wrote:

I'm headed down to Hunt's today... want me to see if they have some?

Yes please.. I may go over later as well... maybe they could put some by...:D

lynnma · September 9, 2004

DavidTO wrote:

Check my post above. After linking to B&H, I found Adorama will shipt the fluid. The link's in the post.

Yes thanks David... I think I'll pick some up (gives me more time to get brave) and not pay the shipping.. thanks for the swab tip tho.. they came..

dugmar · September 26, 2004

Per Andy's advice I just got the Copperhill kit. Piece of cake. Here are the results of my first swipe:

Before:

After:

As you can see, there are a few bunnies still there, but it is a HUGE improvement. Plus I bumped contrast +50 to accentuate the spots. I am going to do another swipe now that I am comfortable knowing this is no big deal at all.

Doug

lynnma · September 26, 2004

dugmar wrote:

Per Andy's advice I just got the Copperhill kit. Piece of cake. Here are the results of my first swipe:

Before:

After:

As you can see, there are a few bunnies still there, but it is a HUGE improvement. Plus I bumped contrast +50 to accentuate the spots. I am going to do another swipe now that I am comfortable knowing this is no big deal at all.

Doug

Great!!! I'm feeling better about doing it every minute!!:D Thanks for showing me... it's definitely worth it..

Andy · September 26, 2004

lynne, please ...

lynnma wrote:

Great!!! I'm feeling better about doing it every minute!!:D Thanks for showing me... it's definitely worth it..

don't do it "every minute"

lynnma · September 26, 2004

andy wrote:

don't do it "every minute"

Every minute.. ha ha ha every minute.. must be the dental drugs Andy :roll

p.s. your bunnies are much worse than mine.. except.. I think I have grass in mine too... (from shooting the Calendar Girls in the rain on the grass)..

On the local common... (yes they were dressed)...recognize anyone???????

tmlphoto · September 29, 2004

I just cleaned the sensor on my 10D using the "CopperHill" method. Everything seems to have gone well. No explosion or nothin'

. Thanks for the link Andy.

Cleaning the sensor

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