File :-(, x, )
Anonymous
any suggestions on cleaning the mirror/sensor on digital slrs? i took it to ritz camera and they say up to eight weeks and 150 dollars in order to send it to canon and have it cleaned. other methods i've found online cost around 50 dollars, is there a cheaper alternative?
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Camera-Specific Properties:Equipment MakeCanonCamera ModelCanon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XTCamera SoftwareAdobe Photoshop CS WindowsImage-Specific Properties:Image OrientationTop, Left-HandHorizontal Resolution72 dpiVertical Resolution72 dpiImage Created2006:12:28 02:24:51RenderingNormalExposure ModeManualWhite BalanceAutoScene Capture TypeStandardExposure Time1/200 secF-Numberf/5.6Exposure ProgramManualISO Speed Rating200Lens Aperturef/5.6Exposure Bias0 EVMetering ModeAverageFlashFlash, CompulsoryFocal Length55.00 mmColor Space InformationsRGBImage Width1000Image Height3456Image Height890
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
If your sensor was contaminated by dry dust - not some moisture or sticky dirt - you should try cleaning it manually.

a) Remove the lens
b) If your camera has a sensor cleaning mode which locks the mirror in raised position, activate it. Otherwise, set the camera to the maximum exposure it's capable of and release the shutter (but then be careful to finish cleaning before the mirror clicks back down, or you can damage it)
c) While the mirror is up and the shutter is open, blow air on the sensor with a small clean and dry enema bulb.
WARNING: never try to blow the dust away with your mouth, and don't use pressurized air cans and don't use brushes, or you may damage the sensor and/or contaminate it even further!
>> Moonlight Fox
>>33169
RTFM! page 39+40
1. Turn on cam (make sure you have a well charged battery)
2. press menu
3. go to the last menu item along the top
4. click on 'sensor cleaning' this will lock the mirror in the up position and open the shutter.
5. use a rubber blower to blow the dust off (DON'T use one with a brush on the end)
6. after you are done.. put a lens back on and turn the camera off. (turning it off will reset the mirror and shutter.
>> Moonlight Fox
just in case you don't have the manual...

http://alpha03u.c-wss.com/inc/ApplServlet?SV=WWUCA900
>> Photon
Well, if you look carefully, decide whether its the CMOS/CCD that is dirty or just the mirror.

If its the mirror, use some lens cleaning solution with a lens cloth or q-tip. Dont apply the solution directly to the mirror. Put a drop of it on the q-tip and swab horizontally, pushing all to one side, then swab down to remove them.

If its the CCD (compare with your photos if there's any dust spots), blow away the dust with a hand blower as in>>33172. If they cant move, use one of those hand blower+brush. The CCD/CMOS is not brittle as most people think it is. Just dont go jabbing onto it.

Oh, also check whether its the lens that is the problem.

Good luck. My advice are without any warranties.
>> Moonlight Fox
>>33195
if you click on the OP's pic you can see the dust spots so that means it can't be the mirror.
Although I suppose it's still possible that it's on the lens..
>> Photon
>>33197
Really have to check the lens, if the dust is on the CCD/CMOS, the shadow would be bigger.
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
OP here, thanks for the feedback. i cleaned the sensor with a bulb type cleaner. the dust is gone but there was a still a fairly large spot showing up while looking through the viewfinder. i went ahead and cleaned the lens/mirror using solution, didn't seem to help. so i'm guessing there is something on the sensor besides dust, would this require a factory cleaning?

Camera-Specific Properties:Equipment MakeCanonCamera ModelCanon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XTCamera SoftwareAdobe Photoshop CS WindowsImage-Specific Properties:Image OrientationTop, Left-HandHorizontal Resolution72 dpiVertical Resolution72 dpiImage Created2006:12:28 19:20:47Exposure Time1/160 secF-Numberf/10.0Exposure ProgramManualISO Speed Rating200Lens Aperturef/10.0Exposure Bias0 EVMetering ModeAverageFlashNo Flash, CompulsoryFocal Length55.00 mmColor Space InformationsRGBImage Width910Image Height740RenderingNormalExposure ModeManualWhite BalanceAutoScene Capture TypeStandard
>> Moonlight Fox
>>33199
if you've got another lens then switch them over and check if that spot is still there.
If so then try blowing the CCD once more...it's possible that the blowing did shift everything but maybe another speck landed on the sensor between the time you stopped blowing and the time you turned the camera off.
If that fails then it looks like just moving air over it isn't going to be enough.
I remember seeing a few places carrying liquid cleaning products so maybe you should look into going for something like that?
>> Anonymous
I used to go the blower way. It doesnt work as well, its annoying and it never completely cleans it.


Buy the following:

Eclipse cleaning solution for CCD sensors
Pack of non abrassive cleaning cloths
Also it comes with a q tip type cleaner, but it ends in a square shape.

You just drape the square Qtip with the cloth, put on 2 drops of Eclipse cleaning solution, and swab the sensor from left to right. Or really whichever direction you want.
>> Photon
http://www.cleaningdigitalcameras.com/index.html