Woohoo! Copper Hill sensor-cleaning method: Success!

[PaulVI]

I bought the Copper Hill kit with Quik Strips and after much wringing of hands, pacing the floor, reading and re-reading the instructions (this took about 2-3 weeks all together), I put my camera into open-sensor surgery. It took me three tries, consuming three strips (one was provided by Copper Hill, pre-wrapped on the stick, so I'm only down 2!).

At f/22, 0.5 second exposure on a white kitchen wall, I see no spots! I'll have to confirm this on a clear sky in broad daylight, but the results are promising at this point!

My local camera shop wanted ... $120!!! By email, the shop owner even told me he was aware of people posting on forums claiming to have found sensor cleanings for $0 to $60. Canon USA quoted me $40 (for under-warranty) and 4-6 weeks turnaround.

So, am I a man now?

[scootermcq]

Congratulations.... first time is always the worst.

[BigFuzzy]

Seeing as I am the man, you're not.

Having said that, thanks for the info, my sensor needs some serious cleaning and I was looking for options. thanks!

[zona5101]

I have used these with excellent results: Sensor Swabs

Cleaning Digital Sensors, Cleaning Digital Cameras - Photographic Solutions, Inc. - Digital & Photographic Cleaning Solutions - Photographic Solutions

[UlpilotSC]

I used a lens pen on mine... It worked great. I had though my lens was the issue, as I could see crud in the lens but not on the sensor. It did turn out to be a sensor issue.

I wonder though - who could you take something like this to, if you really wanted a pro to do it? There are few "camera shops" in my area, if you count "ritz camera" as a camera shop, but somehow I don't know if I trust a minimum wage counter clerk to do any serious work inside my camera.

Who would you use? Mail your camera to Canon for a thorough cleaning?

[WooD]

Originally Posted by PaulVI

I bought the Copper Hill kit with Quik Strips and after much wringing of hands, pacing the floor, reading and re-reading the instructions (this took about 2-3 weeks all together), I put my camera into open-sensor surgery. It took me three tries, consuming three strips (one was provided by Copper Hill, pre-wrapped on the stick, so I'm only down 2!).

At f/22, 0.5 second exposure on a white kitchen wall, I see no spots! I'll have to confirm this on a clear sky in broad daylight, but the results are promising at this point!

My local camera shop wanted ... $120!!! By email, the shop owner even told me he was aware of people posting on forums claiming to have found sensor cleanings for $0 to $60. Canon USA quoted me $40 (for under-warranty) and 4-6 weeks turnaround.

So, am I a man now?

I've been using their stuff for a couple years.

Did you use their Eclipse or did you clean it dry?

You can always use their test page to check your sensor.

Monitor Test Shot. photo - Nicholas R. photos at pbase.com

[PaulVI]

I used Eclipse, 2 drops.

Thanks for the link to the test page. But, I'll have to clean my laptop screen now!

If I had no pro camera shop, what would I do? Dunno -- bring it to the next town that has a pro shop. Too far? Make it a day/weekend trip. Otherwise, shipping it to the Canon service center would be the only option left.

[Jim Bryant]

I use one of those pocket rocket blowers. Then again I don't get much dust as I turn the camera off before changing lenses. THe charged sensors work pretty much like a dust bunny collector. SO turn your camera off before changing lenses.

[PaulVI]

Rocket Air Blaster alone was the first method I tried. One large spot in the image became three small spots. I tried a few more times, with no improvement. I felt that I had no choice but to 'go in'.

I try to remember to turn off the camera before changing lenses. I'll try harder from now on!