Ok, what's the secret to cleaning the sensor? I've used the brush thing that blows air, I've used a swab.....there are still some black spots showing up. Where can I take it to have someone else do it? Argh.
Ok, what's the secret to cleaning the sensor? I've used the brush thing that blows air, I've used a swab.....there are still some black spots showing up. Where can I take it to have someone else do it? Argh.
The correct cleaning solution and a sensor swab - followed up by looking at the sensor through the sensor loop. Its the best way to see if you got everything.
Problem may also be that when you were cleaning it - you might have gotten some of the lightbox lubricant onto the sensor glass - its very hard to get off and you may as well send it to someone to get it cleaned properly.
Trying to "scrub" at it may scratch the little protective glass over your sensor.
smoov wrote:
Where can I take it to have someone else do it? Argh.
atlphoto222 wrote:
PPR $50 bux theyll clean it for ya
Yes, PPR's good if they're close to you ....
Depending on where you are, though, Peachtree Camera and Repair off the south loop in Marietta (on Wylie Road) may be closer. They charge $50.00 as PPR does ....
Thanks guys! I used some of that canned air last night and it got some stuff off but there are still tiny specks. Damn it. I will check out Peachtree Camera, I live in Kennesaw and the south loop is close.
I don't want to be a party pooper but I would be really wary of using canned air for 2 reasons:
1) that much forceful air can stir a bunch of extra stuff up that can end up on the sensor
2) If you tilt the can the wrong by accident you can easily spit freezing cold fluid out that could damage the sensor.
I've used the arctic butterfly (very carefully but with good success) and some pads (pec?) with chemical.
Mostly I just turn the camera upside own and use a rocket blower. I do it every 6 months or so and it seems to work well. I've only had to clean the 5 and the 20. The MKII's which are 2 years old, have never needed it and yet they get the most use in the worst conditions.
I'm not saying you can't use it but I would be really careful.
And I don't want to poop on anyone's experience - - but i bet if you look at your sensor with a sensor loup - you'ld be surprised at what is on your sensor. Shoot a clear blue sky with nothing in it - than blow it up on the computer - you will see about 1/2 of what is there. Use the sensor scope and you'll see the rest.
How about we do a get together and spend some time just looking at the sensors. I can provide a projector and a screen to hook the computer to. Maybe do a class on sensor cleaning 101?
Stacy!!! and anyone else contemplating using canned air - throw that can of compressed "air" either away or into your computer keyboard cleaning kit. IT DOES NOT BELONG ANYWHERE NEAR YOUR CAMERA!!! It may be sold as a way to clean your lightbox - but it has a number of problems associated with its use.
1) the propellant contains oils and debris - when you spray it - you are spraying crap all over your sensor window. You can see little hazy spots that are next to impossible to remove.
2) It forcefully pushes dirt and debris around the lightbox and can scratch your sensor window.
3). The force of the blast can actually damage delicate shutter parts.
You are right JB, I haven't looked at it with a loupe, I probably need to get one at some point. Since I typically don't do really large prints I just go for the stuff that is easily visible and that usually does the trick. Having said that, all of my cameras are old enough now to probably do some serious cleanup and maintenance work on them. I think I will order a loupe before football season gets here. Maybe I can use that as an excuse to not carry so much furniture into the house next weekend...
Hey guys, I guess we are all camera junkies but I am also an Olympic freak... I just absolutely love the summer and winter games and can never get enough of the coverage. Anyway, there are lots of blogs etc out there right now about shooters heading over for coverage. Some of the stuff they take and what they plan to do with it is astonishing.
I sure wish I had some of this stuff, even if I can't justify it...
So I'll provide an assignment first, and it will be a low hanging fruit just to get an idea of what i'm talking about.
1) someone provides a scenario or scene to get
2) we all take our best shots and post
3) next day someone else provides
Today: I'd like to see some great shots restaurant / publication worthy of food cooking on a grill. use bokeh, lighting, flames, whatever you think will best make this shot. Post entries by end of the day Saturday. and go!
Hey Mark - I've got the Delkin Devices and it has a light. If we can ever get together I'll bring it along. I took it to Osh and we (a couple of us) cleaned up our sensors pretty quick. Its a lifesaver. The 1Ds mark III and the Mark III I got from the Canon house were filthy and i'm spending too much time cleaning up the sky on those shots.
I'm in... I think we are grilling tonight. Of course, it is a crappy camping grill in a boring commercial campground so I might have to really think about this a bit. But, I guess that is the point...
atlphoto222 wrote:
So I'll provide an assignment first, and it will be a low hanging fruit just to get an idea of what i'm talking about.
1) someone provides a scenario or scene to get
2) we all take our best shots and post
3) next day someone else provides
Today: I'd like to see some great shots restaurant / publication worthy of food cooking on a grill. use bokeh, lighting, flames, whatever you think will best make this shot. Post entries by end of the day Saturday. and go!
A daily assignment is way too frequent for me. This is a great assignment, but it's more of a week/couple week project for my schedule. I have to spend time researching what to do, find time to be at home long enough to use the grill, shoot a few shots, critique, and most likely re-shoot. Oh, and somehow have to figure out how to control fire, something I've never done before.
It's a great idea. I just couldn't do it in a day.
I'm heading for the NC mountains tomorrow for the week. Can't wait to get some sweet picture-taking opportunities.
