Hi guys, I havent relly been into this photography malarky for too long, and so far the most frustrating thing i'm finding is having taken a "great" picture, to find when i get it on the PC at home, that some dust, fluff, whatever has crept in and ruined the picture. Now, I have a blower thingy, cotton buds, lens cleaner etc, but was wondering specifically the best way to clean the "bit behind the shutter" - looks like a mirror.

Does it not have a function to lift the mirror up to clean the sensor? I had the same prblem when I had just got my camera, I was gutted! I had a black bit on every pic! I followed the instructions and it was gone. Have you actually read the manual? lol

Does it not have a function to lift the mirror up to clean the sensor? I had the same prblem when I had just got my camera, I was gutted! I had a black bit on every pic! I followed the instructions and it was gone. Have you actually read the manual? lol

Yes, I can get it to lift the sensor, and have attempted cleaning it...but I was wondering if there was a foolproof method of doing so.

Manual? Pfft - I'm male - we don't do manuals.

Does it not have a function to lift the mirror up to clean the sensor? I had the same prblem when I had just got my camera, I was gutted! I had a black bit on every pic! I followed the instructions and it was gone. Have you actually read the manual? lol

Men, we do not need manual's, come to think of it we do not need to stop and ask directions either

How do the self cleaning systems advertised on some DSLR's perform? I am into my photography but not made the push to a full DSLR yet and still on my DMC FZ7 pan.

The only advice really is DON'T TOUCH THE SENSOR!! or the mirror! Luckily mine cleaned with just a quick blow (no comments please! ) but if you can't do it take it to a camera shop for it to be done properly

The only advice really is DON'T TOUCH THE SENSOR!! or the mirror! Luckily mine cleaned with just a quick blow (no comments please! ) but if you can't do it take it to a camera shop for it to be done properly

Ok.... not something I can competently do myself then? Any idea how much it costs to get the camera cleaned properly?

Its supposed to be a self cleaning lens.

Just take it into a local camera shop and ask advice as i was told about 3 different ways of cleaning it properly. Even in the manual it says to use and air puffer but recommends a service center does it properly

Air duster mate

Air duster mate

Is that like the little air blower thingy in this set?

Just looked up a PDF of the manual, it says just use a blower, don't even touch it with the bristles. If it doesn't work you'll need to take it somewhere. I don't know how much this is I'm afraid, or who is best to do it either. Can you actually see the offending dirt or is this just trial and error?

Is that like the little air blower thingy in this set?

No...it's a can of compressed (dry) air that's usually used for cleaning electronic componentry...you can get it most office places, electronics stores, etc.

Rob.

Just looked up a PDF of the manual, it says just use a blower, don't even touch it with the bristles. If it doesn't work you'll need to take it somewhere. I don't know how much this is I'm afraid, or who is best to do it either. Can you actually see the offending dirt or is this just trial and error?

Its just something that seems to move about. It's doing my head in a little now. I may have touched the sensor in the past........

Im sure Jessops who are local to me can maybe advise where to send it, or even clean it?

No...it's a can of compressed (dry) air that's usually used for cleaning electronic componentry...you can get it most office places, electronics stores, etc.

Rob.

I never thought of that. Thanks...I have seen these in PC world and wondered why they were there

I had the same problem with my 350D Dave, and sorted by the airblower in that set (I have the same one from Jessops).

Compressed dry air wouldn't be a bad shout either

And the 350D doesn't have a 'self cleaning' sensor. The 400D is advertised as such, but don't actually know what the system consists of, or whether it's just marketing twaddle

Steve

I never thought of that. Thanks...I have seen these in PC world and wondered why they were there

NO! Don't do it!! It says in your manual!!! Don't used canned gas etc, the force might damage it and something about spray.... ffs, read page 39 of your manual!! Please! lol

NO! Don't do it!! It says in your manual!!! Don't used canned gas etc, the force might damage it and something about spray.... ffs, read page 39 of your manual!! Please! lol

I'll never surrender to a manual Loz.....

Mind you, you seem to have ingested the manual, so just show me later

Thanks Steve... I fear you are possibly more patient than me.

NO! Don't do it!! It says in your manual!!! Don't used canned gas etc, the force might damage it and something about spray.... ffs, read page 39 of your manual!! Please! lol

Trick is to use it a good distance from the sensor, and to hold it at the right angle so that you don't get any spray coming out of the can. Though yes, if you did it wrong than you could probably do some quite expensive damage...

Rob.

And knowing Dave, he would cause damage lol! Probably best not to risk it!

If you're up at the Malt on Thurs anyway Dave, we could have a look at it then?

Steve

If you're up at the Malt on Thurs anyway Dave, we could have a look at it then?

Steve

Ok thank you Steve

No worries, just bring it all along, plus a blank piece of A4

Steve

I clean my sensors fairly regularly here are some tips....

Don't clean the Anti-Alias filter unless you really have to! The filter sits in front of the sensor, and is the thing that the dust sits on.

Try an air blower such as the 'rocket blower' first. Operate the sensor cleaning mode on the camera, face it downwards and give it a blow! DO NOT USE canned air, the propellant can cause all sorts of damage.

If this doesn't work, try a system called 'Dust Aid'. This will remove virtually everything safely and I have found that it solves all of my dust problems.

If you have an oil smear on the filter, use a liquid solution cleaning system such as Pec Pads.

With all of the above methods, follow the instructions precisely.

I use an Arctic Butterfly VisibleDust - Digital Camera Sensor Cleaning Products

Don't clean the Anti-Alias filter unless you really have to! The filter sits in front of the sensor, and is the thing that the dust sits on.

DO NOT USE canned air, the propellant can cause all sorts of damage.

If you have an oil smear on the filter, use a liquid solution cleaning system such as Pec Pads.

Good advice, although I'm not entirely clear how one would ever get an oil smear on a filter???

I'd imagine if you're unlucky to pickup some airborne contaminant or other, perhaps when changing lenses outdoors.

Steve