Camera cleaning

paulocon2

Hi,

Just wondering if anyone knows where I could get the sensor of my camera cleaned? I am seeing dust spots on my pics (assuming it's the sensor that needs cleaning).

I'm based in County Louth.

Paul

thebaz

I'd say the chemist beside the St Peters Church in Drogheda , think its called Mahers

paulocon2

thebaz wrote: »

I'd say the chemist beside the St Peters Church in Drogheda , think its called Mahers

Thanks, I know the chemist ok. Didn't know they'd do cleaning though. Not sure how big of a job it is!

Prenderb

paulocon2 wrote: »

Thanks, I know the chemist ok. Didn't know they'd do cleaning though. Not sure how big of a job it is!

You could try it yourself - get a rocket blower. Your camera has a mirror lockup function and you can point the rocket at the sensor and squeeze a couple of times (carefully, without putting the point of the rocket into the camera body). * This should dislodge the nasty dusts.

*obviously be careful, it's at your own risk, but I do it quite regularly. :P

AnCatDubh

Also, has your camera got a cleaning function? This basically shakes the sensor in a controlled manner, and shifts non stuborn dust.

With some cameras you can tell them to do a sensor clean on power up. So every time you turn it on, it gives a gentle shake on the sensor and dust falls off.

I'd try this first if it was available to you. if that didn't work then i'd buy a rocket blower (though i'd buy one of these eitherways to have - they are very useful and probably less than €10), and if both of these didn't work i'd be leaving it in somewhere.

jaonphoto

paulocon2 wrote: »

Hi,

Just wondering if anyone knows where I could get the sensor of my camera cleaned? I am seeing dust spots on my pics (assuming it's the sensor that needs cleaning).

I'm based in County Louth.

Paul

Cleaning the sensor is really not difficult to do yourself, providing you take care when doing so and use the right tools. First you need to use a suitable air blower to remove larger dust particles. Do this without touching the sensor and keep clear of any moving parts in the camera body (Mirror / shutter mechanism etc). Once you have done this I would recommend using a specially designed pad (I use Pec Pads) and a special cleaning solution designed for this use. You should use a pad that has been sized for your particular sensor size (Full frame 35mm / APS etc). Use one or two drops of solution on the end of the pad and gently wipe it one time in one direction. Them turn the pad over to use the clean side and wipe one more time in the opposite direction to remove excess cleaning fluid. Do not be tempted to wipe continuously on the sensor. This will most likely cause permanent damage. I have been using this technique for many years on many camera brands with great success. Cleaning services are useful if you have never done this before but IMO it's best to learn the process yourself as you never know when you need it! Perhaps get someone experienced to demonstrate it for you the first time.

Good luck