Worried about dust on the sensor

[whitey]

Hi Guys

Just getting back into amateur photography after a 15 year hiatus.

Been looking at cameras and like the D80 and the EOS 400D. Like the D80 feel in the hand much more. However its a close race and am trying to work out whether auto sensor cleaning makes the 400D the camera for me.

If I chose the D80 and got dust on the sensor is it something I can clean with the right equipment (is the equipment expensive)
Does the auto cleaning in the 400D really work.

Should I not be worried about this whole auto cleaning thing

Thanks in advance.

[losfp]

You know, I've never once met a dust bunny I couldn't shift with a simple blasting with an air blower.

Failing that, I've had a got at wet sensor cleaning, and it's not that scary.

[Alpha_7]

A $12 dollar Gito Air blower has kept both my sensors clean as a whistle, if you get a really grubby sensor you can always do a wet clean, and there are a number of cleaning kits available on the market (or you can buy your own parts). It not hard to do, but the same time you want to be careful and do it right as if you are too gun-ho you can cause serious damage to your camera.

I would certainly go for what feels best, over what I feel is a over hyped feature. (Just my personal opinion).

[Matt. K]

A wet clean is a piece of cake. You can learn how to do it in 5 minutes and never look back. The fluid and pads cost about $40 for a 10 year supply.

[whitey]

Thanks for the prompt replies. Makes me more comfortable about the D80 - definately more comfortable in the hands.

[Pa]

if a dust bunny does land on the sensor you can always p/s it

[gstark]

Thanks for the prompt replies. Makes me more comfortable about the D80 - definately more comfortable in the hands.

Hi, and welcome.

Yes, giving the camera a blow job with a Giotto is dead easy, and a wet clean is a minor annoyance, nothing more.

On the subject of "minor annoyance", could you please take a moment to put your location - a meaningful one - into your profile. This is a requirement of membership here, and your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

[Reschsmooth]

Yes, giving the camera a blow job with a Giotto is dead easy...

And afterwards, it will make you a coffee

[gstark]

Yes, giving the camera a blow job with a Giotto is dead easy...

And afterwards, it will make you a coffee

Just be careful to not confuse the two systems.

D300acino, anyone?

[whitey]

Thanks for the prompt replies. Makes me more comfortable about the D80 - definately more comfortable in the hands.

On the subject of "minor annoyance", could you please take a moment to put your location - a meaningful one - into your profile. This is a requirement of membership here, and your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

Hi Gary - sorry about the location. Has been rectified.

[gstark]

Hi Gary - sorry about the location. Has been rectified.

Thank you for fixing this so quickly; it's greatly appreciated.

[rflower]

Somewhere else, I read that Matt K is running a demonstration of sensor cleaning. He has let his secret out of the bag in this thread ...

A wet clean is a piece of cake.

You do a wet clean with a piece of cake ... Chocolate I hope
Just watch out for the chocolate sprinkles. They look like dust bunnies if left on the sensor

Sorry to take this thread off topic.

[Matt. K]

rflower

Reminds me of the time I was doing a sensor clean for a forum member at one our regular meets. Somehow, as I was putting the pad into the throat of the camera it must have picked up a speck of lubricating grease from somewhere within the camera. This grease was then smeared all over the sensor both to my horror and the horror of the poor chap who was advised it would be a piece of cake. After numerous wet cleans....and downloaded test shots that looked like they were taken through a grease trap it became obvious that they were stubbornly refusing to be removed. It took 18 wet cleans to bring the sensor back to its pristine condition by which time both I and the cameras owner were dripping with perspiration...he, because he thought his camera was stuffed....and me because I thought I would have to pay to have it repaired. I have now wet cleaned around 60 to 70 cameras and that is the only time I had a problem.

[Alpha_7]

That poor chap was me Matt, at my first Mini Meet, we just couldn't get that thing clean and I thought Katie was going to kill me when I got home It all ended up ok, but there was a period were I thought I might lose some vital organs!

[whitey]

This grease was then smeared all over the sensor both to my horror and the horror of the poor chap who was advised it would be a piece of cake.

oh dear, just as I got comfortable with the prospect of cleaning my own sensor

I have now wet cleaned around 60 to 70 cameras and that is the only time I had a problem.

Feeling better again after reading all the way through the post.

Looks like I will need to come along to the next meet to get some training on this - hopefully sans grease.

[whitey]

Does dust only get in during a lense change or can it just magically work its way in?

[Raskill]

Magically I think. It's only a light proof box, not air tight. Obviously using it in dusty environments doesnt help, like the side of race tracks....

I use Dust Aid to keep it clean. Easy peesy.

[whitey]

Thanks raskill. Sounds like I will be adding dust aid to the purchase list

[gstark]

What is "dust aid" ?

If it's a spray can .... exercise caution when using it.

Spray cans use propellants to get the air out of the can. That's fine for many things, but you do not want to have any sprayed onto your sensor, do you?

Giotto uses pure fresh (!) air. Much safer.

[who]

Giotto uses pure fresh (!) air. Much safer.

And you say that living in Bondi

I think you need to travel to a World Heritage area in Tassie to get some pure fresh air.....

[whitey]

What is "dust aid" ?

If it's a spray can .... exercise caution when using it.

Spray cans use propellants to get the air out of the can. That's fine for many things, but you do not want to have any sprayed onto your sensor, do you?

Giotto uses pure fresh (!) air. Much safer.

Ok, I will check out Giotto. To be honest got to get the camera first

[digitor]

Ok, I will check out Giotto. To be honest got to get the camera first

If you want one, I know someone who's got a few for sale.

Cheers

[whitey]

Well...just noticed first dust bunny on the sensor. Funny have photos from Saturday with none and Sunday shots have some - no lens change though.

Anyhow, will give it a blow with the rocket and see how we go.

[methd]

the d80 is a much better camera than the 400d. the dust removal system is all but marketing hype.

[Old Bob]

Matt, your experience as a grease remover may be very valuable for those with a D3, as I recall reading on another forum, that some owners had problems of grease splattered onto their sensor, probably due to over lubrication at the factory, combined with the fast cyclic rate of fire.

Bob

[sunnylass]

the d80 is a much better camera than the 400d. the dust removal system is all but marketing hype.

Expected response from a 'cough cough' Nikon owner

[norbs]

the d80 is a much better camera than the 400d. the dust removal system is all but marketing hype.

Expected response from a 'cough cough' Nikon owner

Saved me from saying it!

[jdear]

if its a canon.. take it to canon service in North Ryde... they will clean it while you wait and you'll be $50 lighter! yay!