DSLR Sensor Cleaning Tips

[Siphorous]

Just think how much better it would be if I never started this thread. :24: You would never have found out. I hope you don't hate me now.

I never would have - but I'm glad you did. The kit saving me having to do post processing with lightroom/paintshop pro is going to save me a headache step. Now I have a kit to buy... not put an order in yet. Will do that during lunch at work I think.

Feel up to starting a similar sticky (think of the tokenz!) for general photography tips and stuff?

 

[Guyzerr]

Feel up to starting a similar sticky (think of the tokenz!) for general photography tips and stuff?

That would be a good idea. Go for it.

 

[Siphorous]

That would be a good idea. Go for it.

Buh...buh...but!!! Someone like yourself or Ian for example are far more experienced. I mostly have head knowledge. By my own admission I might be accused of needing to practice what I might preach

That's not to say I'm averse to contributing to another's thread

 

[Guyzerr]

Buh...buh...but!!! Someone like yourself or Ian for example are far more experienced. I mostly have head knowledge. By my own admission I might be accused of needing to practice what I might preach

That's not to say I'm averse to contributing to another's thread

I'm no expert I tell you and I have seen some of your shots which are very nice I would say. So.... takes some of that knowledge that's in your head and start a thread. Like maybe along the lines of.........

Section: Pictures
Title: Photography Tips & Tricks
Then start by sharing something you have to start it off or ask the following...

If someone posts a picture they should consider advising us as to what was done to achieve it. ie: EXIF info so we can get an idea on exposure etc. That's a great learning tool.

Also ask Veronica to sticky it like I did. She is very willing. Probably because she just got a new camera and wants to learn all she can. :clap

 

[skyblue]

just a point here.....if you do alot of outdoor photography like guyz and i do.....we both change lenses alot,thats when dust and stuff will get in......one way to lessen the chances of it happening a little is the direction you're facing.....dont face into the wind and do it,asking for trouble that is....stand with your back to the wind and do it then,it wont stop it happening but it will cut it down a little

 

[Siphorous]

Guy, thanks for the tips and suggestions on kit. The loupe thing, blower and the twirly static charge brush helped remove it all and with the loupe thing - it looks pristine. Just need the blue sky test unless you have another suggestion of something without bumps or dirt.

 

[skyblue]

Buh...buh...but!!! Someone like yourself or Ian for example are far more experienced. I mostly have head knowledge. By my own admission I might be accused of needing to practice what I might preach

That's not to say I'm averse to contributing to another's thread

believe it or not,and i'm sure guy would agree.most people who take half decent shots in effect 'wing it'.....we react to certain conditions,its not an exact science but making the most of what you have when a situation arises,lets face it..especially outdoors no-one can predict lighting and weather conditions.....whether its me with insects or guy with a magnificent eagle light is paramount,the lighter it is the higher the shutter speed........now if someone asked me how to take a picture of a dragonfly,i could tell them certain things like getting to know the species(yes,thats important),but as for technical stuff its all about experimentation......now thats the difference between a good shot and an average one.

 

[Guyzerr]

Guy, thanks for the tips and suggestions on kit. The loupe thing, blower and the twirly static charge brush helped remove it all and with the loupe thing - it looks pristine. Just need the blue sky test unless you have another suggestion of something without bumps or dirt.

I'm glad it helped and as far as a suggestion.... take a shot of any sky be it blue or gray and convert it to gray cale in your editor. It will show you what if anything is remaining. Lemme know how it goes.

 

[Siphorous]

I'm glad it helped and as far as a suggestion.... take a shot of any sky be it blue or gray and convert it to gray cale in your editor. It will show you what if anything is remaining. Lemme know how it goes.

The sky was blue today, with a touch of haze lower down but decent enough for a test shot.

This was it - link below is to the full size image. Obviously, given it's the sky with nothing there - couldn't focus so ignored that



http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4085/5051935996_e58a2cb08d_o.jpg



And for reference, here's the original:

 

[Guyzerr]

:clap

Seems to have made a big difference Siph. Amazing what's on the sensor even if you can't physically see it.

The reason I like to shoot a blue sky and then convert it is because the dust seems to show up just a bit better. Gray does work but you just have to take a closer look when viewing it. Either way it works.

Regarding the focus.... I can help you with that. Switch your lens to manual focus then focus to infinity and then shoot the sky. Works every time.


One last thing I would like to suggest. Post about your experience cleaning it. You don't have to give us a play by play. More like ease of use or hard..... was it as scary as you thought? Stuff along those lines cuz there's a lot of doubters out there.

 

[Siphorous]

It certainly was astonishing how much rubbish collates on the sensor. This is like a big relief now, having done it - because previously I knew that for every pic I took, if I wanted to keep it - then I'd have to go through a tedious process of removing the biggest and most visible dust spots. It was a chore and not something I enjoyed. No longer!

Focus to infinity - gotcha, I shall bear that in mind for the future, ta

As for the experience, I was a bit nervous. My first thought on seeing the sensor was "shiney" and then I worried about possibly scratching it but trusted the good stuff to do its job - and it did.

I held the camera upside down whilst using both the blower and the arctic butterfly brush. Took a few goes because after each blow and brush, there'd be one pesky little speck that the loupe would reveal. Eventually I could see no more and quickly turned the camera on and off again to get the sensor covered.

The loupe itself had a few dust particles or something that looked trapped in the glass - but given its directed focus towards the sensor, those couldn't be seen when looking for sensor dust of course.

Overall - not scary at all and very quick to do. As you said before, never having to worry about dust again is a big boon.

 

[Siphorous]

I redid the cleaning after my last foggy shots because I noticed a couple of noticeable dust spots which must have been dust moving to the sensor from the edges etc during use.

However, I erred in using the blower... got too close to the sensor and must have touched it with the blower tip and now there looks like the tiniest scratch that doesn't seem to be going away after a bigger portion of it (must have been dust) did go away when using the butterfly.

Silly me.. shall see how bad it is when next a good opportunity presents itself.

 

[Guyzerr]

Oh boy Siph. I hope not. You can't be careful enough with that sort of thing.

 

[Siphorous]

Oh boy Siph. I hope not. You can't be careful enough with that sort of thing.

I'll try a swab too tomorrow which I didn't try previously in case it is a hard to move dust particle attached.

If it's a hard lesson to learn but at the minimum I'm glad it wasn't with a megabucks cam body. Will post an update when I know one way or t'other.

 

[Guyzerr]

I'll try a swab too tomorrow which I didn't try previously in case it is a hard to move dust particle attached.

If it's a hard lesson to learn but at the minimum I'm glad it wasn't with a megabucks cam body. Will post an update when I know one way or t'other.

So what's the end result Siph? Not bad news I hope.