A question for the shutter bugs. Do you deal with cleaning the sensors on your camera yourself, or do you send your equipment out?

Sensor dust seems inevitable, especially if you change lenses often (which I do), even under the best conditions, to minimize the dust getting into the camera.

A few of my pals on the photo forum buy specific swabs and clean their own sensors, but I'm not brave enough to do this. I tried cleaning the inside of view finder area once and that did not go well. Thankfully it does not affect my photos. I used the rocket air blower, but still some spots show up at the higher number f stops.

Canon will service/maintain my newer camera and I have that one boxed up and ready to go. A cleaning is $49.00 A full cleaning and maintenance check is $89.00. I opted for the full service on that one as sometimes the flash was not popping up. I was going to opt for full service maintenance check on my older camera, but they no longer maintain that model. I did call them this AM and they will clean the sensor for the $49.00 + shipping. A local camera shop will be a bit more successful in cleaning the sensor (using air only) than I was, but last time I paid $60.00, for that. I may bite the bullet and send my older camera out too, even though shipping charges will add to the cost.

So what do you do when you get the dreaded spots in your photos from sensor dust?

 

I had mine done by a local authorized Nikon dealer last time. Once before we had a cleaning session at the local photo club done by the same person. In your case I think sending it out is a good move. Using a can of compressed air is not wish. I have been told that it can cause more damage than it helps. David Busch (author of many good books on cameras) recommends using a bulb type blower to clean the sensor.

In Nikon there is "Image Dust Off Ref Photo". It lets you take a picture of the dust and it can be removed using Nikon Capture software. Maybe Canon has something similar.

Good luck

 

Thanks!

 

I use the camera's built in option. Or a small hand-operated air blower, only. I would not touch the sensor.

When I go on hikes I usually carry two cameras. One with telephoto and one with wide-angle to normal zoom. Just so I'm not swapping lenses, on the trail. I've learned from SLR days --- damaged a couple mirrors, swapping lenses in the wilderness.

These are really bitchin' little blowers.

 

I’ve always cleaned my camera’s sensors myself using an Altura Photo Professional Cleaning Kit for DSLR Cameras and Sensors Bundle with APS-C Sensor Cleaning Swabs and Carry Case
purchased from Amazon. The sensors are cleaned on a three month interval. I use a similar technique as Doug McKinlay’s YouTube video :
There are a few exceptions: 1) I will never leave my camera/Lenses open and exposed to dust and blown dirt as Doug does. 2) The use of an illuminated white screen on my PC as the white source (The camera should be focused to infinity while doing this) 3) My lenses are cleaned very well beforehand so that any dust will not be mistaken for sensor dust.

As a precaution I’ll empty and vacuum my camera bags after every few outings. An LED UV flashlight will expose sensor dirt better than an incandescent.

 

I have that rocket blower. I often find it easier to just take the two cameras, so I'm not switching lenses when I'm outside. I still switch them out at home quite a bit.

 

A few of the photo folks use what you are recommending...I'm not there yet.

 

So you can't just use windex and a paper towel?

 

You forgot emery cloth!

 

Hmmm. Seems a bit abrasive. Maybe plastic polish and a buffing wheel??