Cleaning: A Rite Of Passage II (Success!)

[Cortian]

Bought a used 40D body from Adorama. Thing is in such nice condition I'd swear it was brand new if: 1. They hadn't advertised it as used, 2. It didn't have a 14,600+ shutter count (with which I'm just fine) and 3. The sensor hadn't needed cleaning:

Give it a few vigorous shots with the Rocket.

Got some of 'em. Let's see what the The Dust Patrol brush can do.

Ok, well... both success and failure. Try that again.

Nope. Ok: Dry swab.

Stubborn bugger, innit? (Btw: Those are clouds in the upper-right.) Ok, wet swab.

So close. So close. Again.

Yikes!

And again.

Tah DAH!

There are a couple very faint spots remaining in the upper right, but I'm calling this good. If I can just barely make them out with this, at f/22, I doubt they'll ever affect any shots I'll take.

 

[TCampbell]

Congrats!!

This is a topic which frightens many photographers who have never cleaned a camera. While many camera shops do offer a cleaning service, that could be $50 and since you can expect the occasionally dust-bunny to re-appear on the sensor from time to time... you may as well learn to clean your own gear.

The actual sensor is hiding between a glass filter (actually usually a couple layers of filters) and the glass is a hard surface and difficult to scratch as long as you aren't being too aggressive. Just work slowly and gently.

 

[lance70]

yeah enjoy the camera and shooting, I wouldn't get too upset about the dust....shooting at f/22 towards the sky will expose spots on a lot of our bodies.

 

[Chris Ponkster]

I too did my sensor clean for the first time recently - my camera is an old 30D but its all I can afford. I did the blow and dry swab but it was no good - I did an online tutorial , got some special swabs and did a wet clean with some lab grade methanol . My sensor is pretty much good as new !