Is there Dust on the 30D Sensor? Cork City Sensor Cleaning?

shepthedog

Can you guys tell me by looking at the below pick whether there is dust on my sensor??

Also I am down in Cork city today and would like to get the sensor cleaned if thats whats required. .Anyone know any good places in cork city to do it??

Thanks

Roen

You should link back to a much bigger pic so we can take a real look, but it definitely looks like a case of the dust bunnies alright.
Not sure about shops in Cork, but I know someplace that you can get it done for a pint and a curry.

Realistically though just google it up and take on the responsibility yourself. It gets easier after the first three heart attacks but it's far cheaper in the long run.

Cabaal

There's a marks in the top left hand side but that could be birds I suppose, may I suggest you supply a link to a bigger version of the shot in question....might be easier spot dust and dirt on it

Paulw

I think Rymus offers a cleaning service. Try sending him a message and see.

shepthedog

Thanks lads
Heres the larger one..
I only got the camera last wk so I really dont want to try it until I am ALOT more experienced..
You can see them in my flickr aswell for close examination.. Cheers

Cabaal

Yep looks like dust to me, top left hand side and just above the middle of the building just right of the clocks on the tower, also to the left of the clocks as well.

How do you think you managed to end up with some much dust?

shepthedog

anyone got any advice on where would clean it? I am hesitant to do it first time myself ..

City-Exile

Cabaal wrote:

There's a marks in the top left hand side but that could be birds I suppose ...

Special birds who managed to stay almost perfectly still during the long exposure.

It looks like dirt alright but hard to know from looking at one picture. Are the marks in the same place on every picture?
That would suggest the sensor.

shepthedog

Yes they are in the same place in all the pictures taken.. So its looking like the sensor so?

Paulw

Sensor or lens. Some people forget to just give the lens a wipe, and blame dust on the sensor.

Wipe both outer glass and inside glass (camera side) on the lens to make sure it's not dust there.

After that, it must be sensor dust.

Get a good blower to blow away the dust before trying any other cleaning method.

Cabaal

City-Exile wrote:

Special birds who managed to stay almost perfectly still during the long exposure.

shhhh, there part of a government genetically modified animals covert op, thats why there over government buildings

Protecting against terrorists!!!

rahtkennades

shepthedog wrote:

Yes they are in the same place in all the pictures taken.. So its looking like the sensor so?

Did you buy the camera new last week? Seems very unlikely to have that much dirt on the sensor so quickly, unless you were changing lenses in a really dirty environment.

Have the marks always been on the images from the camera? Seems like maybe you should think about bringing it back to the shop if that's the case. Get them to foot the bill for a pro cleaning.

City-Exile

Paulw wrote:

Sensor or lens. Some people forget to just give the lens a wipe, and blame dust on the sensor.

If it was the lens, you'd expect the marks to appear in different places, as you change the focus.

Cabaal, you've been watching too many X-Files reruns, on LivingTV.

shepthedog

I bought it second hand. Hence why I think there might be dust inside.
Is there any way of knowing whether its the sensor or not. There was a few dust marks on the external UV filter but nothing I think that would cause marks like the ones appearing in shots..

leinsterman

What you really need to do is take a photo of a clean uniform background at F22 with the focus set to infinity ... then post it here and we'll have a look for you ...

It is common to get sensor dust out of the box for a new camera ...

You could also consider buying a copper hill kit or equivalent ... make sure you you get the correct cleaning fluid for youer sensor type ... E2 or Eclipse ...

check out -
http://www.cameraclean.co.uk/acatalog/Photographic_Solutions_Sensor_Cleaning_Tools.html

or

http://www.copperhillimages.com/index.php?pr=tutorials

Alternatively PM Rymus and ask him nicely and he may do it for you for a pint or two ...

Cabaal

shep, what happens when you take off the lens and look through the camera at a white surface, can you see any marks?

To be honest if its second hand there's a good chance of some dust being there,

bovril

after you'd cleaned your lens as Paulw said you can check if you have dust on your sensor by taking a photo of the blue sky (obviously you must get a flight to a different country for this part) with your aperture on f16 or smaller. Just be careful of the shutter speed in case there is blur. You should be able to see the dust if you zoom in on your camera screen. The edges seem to get hit the most.

shepthedog

thanks for all the advice so far

here is a quick shot I took in the office just a minute ago, it looks like theres marks all over it...:eek: Top left, black marks in middle.. Not good.

bovril

sorry to repeat leinsterman, replied to the post from a page I hadn't refreshed..

City-Exile

That's the dirtiest thing I've seen since Temple Bar, last Saturday night!

shepthedog

Suggestions??

Paulw

Your sensor definitely needs to be cleaned. Yeah, 2nd hand cameras can build up a little dirt.

Start with a good blower, then work your way to cleaning fluid and stuff.

shepthedog

First time I would really like to get it done properly.. Is there anywhere in Ireland, Cork etc that could do it??

Cabaal

Somebody mentioned Rymus can clean them, I believe he's in Cork

shepthedog

I gave him a PM.
Just got a quote of 75 euros + vat for Imaging Supply Systems in Dublin who are the authorised Canon service guys.. Very expensive..

City-Exile

shepthedog wrote:

I gave him a PM.
Just got a quote of 75 euros + vat for Imaging Supply Systems in Dublin who are the authorised Canon service guys.. Very expensive..

You can pop into any decent camera shop & buy a blower brush.
It allows you to apply gentle puffs of air, while you brush dust off the sensor. It shouldn't make things any worse, but should improve the situation.
No point going around with such a dirty view on the world...

By the way, Cork City Hall looks well.

rymus

yeesh... 75 quid. That's gone up quite a bit since I last got a quote. How many copper hill kits could you buy for that these days?!?

If you are going to get a blower brush, I would suggest being cautious to the point of insanity about keeping the brush away from all sources of dust, dirt and various other debris.

Either way, I've replied to your pm..

shepthedog

Rymus is coming to my rescue and helping me out on this..
I really appreciate all the replies, just shows how good it is to be able to throw a question out there and get so many good replies..

Ya its 75 euros + vat so your talking 90 euros to get it done.. Now I'm not being cheap but thats a ridiculous amount of money to get it done..

@city exile - Sure I was delighted with myself when I looked back at it on viewfinder, thought it was a top quality pic. Nearly flipped when I saw all the marks on it this morning.. Still thats life..

rymus

it's even more ridiculous when you consider you'd probably have to get it done once a month if you use your camera regularly.

Fionn

is there a living to be got cleaning camera sensors?

i could leave my present job now and take it up, if thats the case!!

BTW that particular sensor was mighty dirty!! i suppose a blower treatment once a week or so might help to keep the dust bunnies to a minimum and then a wet swab every quarter or so, would keep it in pristine condition!!!

rymus

just cleaned my 30D actually. There's still one small kinda visible spot at f32... I can live with that

ovidius

Wow. That looks like a serious dust situation. I would remove the lens and take a shot without any lens. If there is dust on the sensor it will be the dirtiest sensor ever. I tend to suspect the lenses.