Canon EOS350D Sensor Cleaning

[MosaicPhotography]

Hi everyone.

I've just joined the forums, having read the tips from the blog for the past month.

I've only really been doing photography as a serious hobby, now for about three months when I get free time.

A couple of my shots have had some dust markings on them.

A friend suggested I clean the sensor, but then he said that you couldn't.

Having looked at the destructions for the camera, I see that you can clean it.

My question is, what's the best way to clean the sensor, use a puffer bottle/air can, or get the camera clear itself?

Huw.

[NaturesPixel]

This is how i clean mine :))
http://digital-photography-school.com/forum/showthread.php?t=926&highlight=copper+hill

[whiteflyer]

To start with I'd just use a Rocket Blower.

Set the camera in sensor cleaning mode and give it a good half dozen hard puffs. I do this with the camera facing down so any dust falls out.

[MosaicPhotography]

Hi all,

Thanks for your responses.

I went to my local camera shop and found they had numerous methods of cleaning the sensor.

I decided to see what the more experienced folk here do and then decide.

Since, I'm too nervous to use the method used by NaturesPixel, I shall go for the method used by whiteflyer.

That way my grubby fingers won't go near the sensor and any other dust is properly removed.

Once again thanks for your contributions.

[mdwsta4]

i also use copperhill's kit. dust blowers are worthless. they'll either move the dust around to a different spot, or not get any of the big dust you notice off.
the copperhill kit's instructions seem a lot more difficult than it actual is.
if you're that paranoid about it, go to a camera store and let them charge you $50 to do what you could have done hundreds times for $30.

*edit* and here's another thread recommending it...
http://digital-photography-school.com/forum/showthread.php?t=938&highlight=copperhillimages

and another.
http://digital-photography-school.com/forum/showthread.php?t=304&highlight=copperhillimages

unless all of us are wrong from personal experience.... you'll be okay.

[dabrams]

I would check that the dust is actually on the chip by taking a few pictures of a clear sky (if such a thing exists in the UK) at, say, f/22. Ideally you’d do this with two different lenses. Have a look at the images on the PC and you should see the same dust particles in all the images. The Canons are pretty notorious for coming direct from the factory with parts of the factory on the CCD.

When you’re about to clean the CCD ensure that the battery is fully charged or, even better, use an AC adapter so that the shutter doesn’t close unexpectedly.

[mdwsta4]

i agree you should shoot with a small aperture to see a lot of the dust spots, but where do you get the part about canon's being notorious for dust? all DSLR makers are just as bad as none of them are packaged in 'clean' rooms. when you have an open hole as all DSLRs do it's possible to get dust in there; regardless of maker.

I would check that the dust is actually on the chip by taking a few pictures of a clear sky (if such a thing exists in the UK) at, say, f/22. Ideally you’d do this with two different lenses. Have a look at the images on the PC and you should see the same dust particles in all the images. The Canons are pretty notorious for coming direct from the factory with parts of the factory on the CCD.