Anyone ever clean their image sensor ?

[Lan-Lord]

I keep noticing some spots on my images.. so I grab my dust cloth and clean my lens.. then next time out I come home and notice spots on my images.. so I grab my dust cloth (again) and clean my lens.. finally I came to the conclusion that it is not my lens and must be my sensor.

Has anyone ever cleaned it themselves or taken it to a shop to have it cleaned? I dont want to mess it up, so I'll probably take it by a pro shop. should be a quick, while you wait process right?

 

[foulshot]

Chris, I've done it myself. It's not as bad as you think. There is actually a glass over the sensor so you can not hurt the sensor unless you really push hard.

Check out this cleaning demo. It's a long read, but very informative.

 

[quailsroost]

I use the copper hill #4 kit and it does a good job, just follow the instructions to the letter and you will do fine, like foulshot said, it's not that difficult, it is kinda of spooky at first though. This link is also a good read.

http://www.bythom.com/cleaning.htm

 

[foulshot]

So, did you take the plunge and clean it yourself?

 

[Lan-Lord]

No I didnt have the huevos to do it.. plus I was rushed, was about to leave on my exotic hunt, and I figured I would rather deal with it in photoshop rather than not read and educate myself before doing it. It was frustrating shooting sunsets/rises though! I knew they were gonna need overhauled in p-shop.. but oh well, I started reading the tutorial.. I'll get it cleaned here soon.

I did check with a couple camera repair and pro shops.. they charge $100 to clean it and they hold your camera for 2 weeks.. what the heck? I said, it cant be that hard, I'll figure it out myself.

Anyways, I just got in from a long drive.. here are a couple photos from the hunt. It was amazing out there.. and I rented the 400mm 2.8. needless to say that lens is awesome and I am negotiating how to get one!! (prolly wont get far though!)

 

[foulshot]

Hey Chris, heres one more resource. Cleaning Digital Cameras.

 

[wapiti]

I use an air compressor to blow the dust out, I've cleaned mine a couple of times when I notice dust bunnies. I just lock up the mirror and blow those bunnies away.

 

[Lan-Lord]

I ordered the copper hill cleaning kit. Should arrive sometime next week.
cross your fingers for me.