how do you handle dust on the sensor of a digital SLR without paying to have it cleaned all the time?

Question

It's gotten to where I don't want to change lenses for fear of dirtying the sensor. I bought a brand new Canon 30D and attached a 100-400 Canon lens and I have dust on the sensor from just doing that., I haven't changed the lens at all. Am I being too picky? I hate to have to remove dust spots every time I shoot with a small aperture or shoot something with a plain, light-colored background such as the sky.

Answer 1

DO NOT USE COMPRESSED AIR INSIDE THE CAMERA. YOU HAVE VERY SENSITIVE FOCUS PLANE, MIRROR and SENSOR THAT ARE NOT RATED FOR THAT MUCH HIGH PRESSURE AIR.

You can use it on exterior plastic surfaces but NEVER inside. You need to use something like a Giotto Blower inside the mirror box.

Dust is a natural part of using a DSLR photography (just like viruses and spyware are part of the using computers and the internet). Its out there that does not mean you will get it or not have tools to prevent it or remove it.

I use the CopperHill method (see link above) and it works VERY well. Just follow the instructions and will be good to go. You don't need to pay $50 for one cleaning when for the same price you can get literally 100s of cleanings done at home.

See pics below and if you need detailed instructions: post an edit.

PS: If you guys have a self cleaning sensor and think it works, set your camera to f/22, MF and set the focus ring to infinity (totally out of focus) and take a pic of a white background like a blank Word document on your computer screen and use Photoshop, Auto-level and see for yourself how "clean" your self cleaning sensor really is.

Answer 2

Gravity is not your friend. I learned to do this and saved myself much grief.
1. Learn to change back lenscaps quickly.
2. Always loosen lenscaps before changing lenses.
3. POINT the camera body downward at all times!
4. Remove the lens from the camera body quickly and put it immediately down in your camera bag. Move the rear cap from the new lens to the old one.
5. Mount the new lens with one motion (practice, practice, practice), snapping it in place.
6. Close up the camera bag securely.

Back in the days of 35mm, I told my customers to practice changing lenses while sitting on the sofa watching tv. After a while, you could do it by feel, and very quickly, too!

If you avoid dusty situations, change lenses quickly, and keep that camera body pointed downward, dust should be a problem from the past.

When I first started with digital, I had dust problems the first couple of weeks. Since getting into some good habits (see above) I haven't had a dust problem in years.

By the way, if you do get some dreaded dustbunnies, remove your lens.
Set the meter to manual and the shutterspeed to several seconds.
Then follow Antoni's suggestion and give your sensor a quick spurt from the compressed air canister.

Answer 3

DON'T use compressed air ! It can spray the liquid inside the can onto your sensor and do some serious damage.

Blower brushes are good, Sensor swabs & eclipse solution works well also.

My Pentax K10D has a built in sensor cleaner so I don't worry about it as much. I've used my sensor swabs once since last November. With a camera that doesn't have a built in one, then like an oil change in a care... every 3-4 months or everytime before an important event (like a wedding)

Answer 4

I must disagree with Antoni about using compressed air. IMO it simply drives dust deeper into your camera where it may eventually cause problems. It also increases the possibility of damaging your shutter curtains.

I agree with fhotoace about using a bulb-type blower brush.

There are numerous sensor cleaners on the market. The Sept. 2007 issue of Shutterbug Magazine (shutterbug.com) reviews one by Image Trend. I've no idea if they work or are worth the money.

Answer 5

If you so dare, take a look at the following web site. I've never tried cleaning my sensor with direct contact, so I can't comment on the perils of doing this.
http://www.copperhillimages.com/index.php?pr=tutorials

What sort of environment are you switching lenses? Switch lenses in a still, clean environment.
Best to make sure your exit optics and bayonet are dust-free before mating the lens to the body.

Answer 6

I'll catch hell from anal-retentive purists for this, but every time I change lenses (often) I blow in the lens hole.

I have 45,000 shots on my camera and no sensor dust.

Answer 7

i carry a can of compressed air, take off a lens, spray some air, put on a lens....ba da bing........seems to work

a