new camera has dust on sensor

CJmasgrande

Anyone know of any camera stores in Midlands who do sensor cleaning?

I'd rather not have to travel to Dublin I'm based near Athlone.

The camera was purchased only 6 weeks ago from Eglobal Hong Kong and came with no cover over sensor.

Anyway too much hassle sending it back to HK I reckon. Lesson learned.

Sheeps

Get a blower at it?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kingjoy-AB-04-Professional-Rocket-Blower/dp/B00NXWCVMC/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1503396989&sr=8-6&keywords=air+blower

If that doesn't work, use theses swabs:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/XCSOURCE-10pcs-Cleaning-DDR-15-Cameras/dp/B00TF9AIF4/ref=pd_bxgy_421_img_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=CN1YJZ74QYQPZ282EJDB


edit:
I also have one of these:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Carson-SensorMag-Lighted-Cleaning-Camera/dp/B0091SS310/ref=pd_sim_421_4?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=P2FJGG7NF334D29V5974

it helps you visibly see the dirt on the sensor, but it's not necessary as a torch and magnifying glass or something should suffice, or simple trial and error.

CabanSail

Sensor cleaning is one of the things you have to do occasionally with a DSLR. You can find someone local to do it but it may be better to learn how to do it yourself. The cost of the kit is similar to having it cleaned for you but it will last a lot longer.

Dinarius

1. Never, EVER blow on a sensor! You may remove the dust, but moisture droplets in your breath will appear as translucent dots on your sensor. They are almost impossible to remove, except in Photoshop and the like. (Or with a factory clean.)

2. Try to avoid using swabs and cleaning fluid. It's extremely difficult to do properly, and it's almost impossible to avoid leaving a moisture droplet or two on the sensor, usually in the corners.

3. The only thing you should ever need to use, if NO moisture gets on your sensor, is a brush to remove dust. Make sure that you spend the extra and buy an anti-static brush. This generates a small charge which attracts the dust to it. The best ones then allow you to remove the dust by spinning it using a built in motor. Again, if you blow the dust off the brush, you risk applying those moisture droplets to the sensor afterwards, via the brush bristles.

4. Remember that what appear as dust or moisture droplet-type circles on your images (e.g. On skies) may be on the front or rear element of the lens and NOT on the sensor. Keep your lenses clean.

In summary, you should try and never go near your sensor, except when you have to, with a good brush. Avoid any kind of moisture treatment.

Never leave the camera body open.

Good practice is to leave your most used lens on the body all the time.

Hope this helps.

D.

Paulw

Dinarius wrote: »

1. Never, EVER blow on a sensor!

Don't blow directly yourself , but rather use something like a rocket blower. Works great.

Dinarius wrote: »

2. Try to avoid using swabs and cleaning fluid.

Except that is what professional cleaning services use. :rolleyes: Do it slowly, follow the procedure, and it is fairly simple to do. Practice makes perfect.

Dinarius wrote: »

3. The only thing you should ever need to use, if NO moisture gets on your sensor, is a brush to remove dust. Make sure that you spend the extra and buy an anti-static brush.

These can be great, but sometimes the dirt is stuck, so you need to go back to swabs and cleaning fluid.

Dinarius wrote: »

4. Remember that what appear as dust or moisture droplet-type circles on your images (e.g. On skies) may be on the front or rear element of the lens and NOT on the sensor. Keep your lenses clean.

Very good point. Always clean the front and back element of your lens. Also, if you see dust when looking through the camera, but that dust doesn't appear on your images, then the dust may actually be on the mirror rather than the sensor. A simple blow with a rocket blower can cure that usually.

Dinarius wrote: »

Never leave the camera body open.

Good practice is to leave your most used lens on the body all the time.

I prefer to always leave the end caps on my lenses and camera bodies. Remember to give them a blow occasionally, to clear out any lingering dust there. Also, when you change lens, point the body down, so that less dust gets inside the camera. Try not to change lens in dusty/dirty conditions, and do it where there is some airflow, if possible.

It is usually better to learn how to do it all yourself, rather than having to rely on a cleaning service. In saying that, I always drop mine in to be done professionally twice a year. Canon CPS run a free service for that.

But, failing that, I do have a kit at home to do it myself, when needed too, with a rocket blower, swabs and fluid, plus a static brush.

Paulw

Of course, if you want to give your camera a good wet clean -

DON'T EVER DO THIS TO REAL CAMERA EQUIPMENT!!

https://www.picturecorrect.com/tips/the-first-and-last-guide-to-cleaning-your-camera-you-will-ever-need/

Dinarius

Paulw wrote: »

Of course, if you want to give your camera a good wet clean -

DON'T EVER DO THIS TO REAL CAMERA EQUIPMENT!!

https://www.picturecorrect.com/tips/the-first-and-last-guide-to-cleaning-your-camera-you-will-ever-need/

My experience of the Canon Service Clinic, who just use sensor swabs is that they're no better than I am. I always end up with moisture spots.

Better to keep all moisture away from the sensor and just use a brush for dust.

If the sensor does get spots on it which cannot be removed by dry means, as in a brush, send it for a factory clean. This reverts the sensor to its "as new" state.

But, liquid is a no-no, in my opinion.

D.

CabanSail

I have been doing wet cleans on my bodies for many years. I just check for any smears and if they are there repeat the clean. This is, as PaulW points out, done when you send it in for a professional clean.

When cleaning you never actually touch the sensor. That is sealed away and you cannot access it. What you are actually cleaning is the glass filter which sits over the sensor.

Dirt on the rear element would have to be quite major to appear in an image and mush more so if on the from element. Still good to keep the lenses clean but contamination at the point of focus has a much greater impact.