Cleaning 5D mark II sensor dust

[ryanbarlin]

So, i've been shooting 600% more in the last 6 months. Mostly timelapse, and I notice I have a spot on the left on all photos.

Probably sensor dust. I'm likely to get more with timelapse I hear. I'm sure learning how to do it myself is going to be better but not sure how to clean it.

Any advice on cleaning it or preventing it?

[I @ M]

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[MarkChap]

That reminds me, I must clean mine again

[strictfunctor]

So many togs are scared to clean the sensor, but if you trust yourself to clean lenses, what's different. I have to do it often with my 350D, and a lot less often with later ones.

Recipe: Try blowing stuff off with a rocket blower. Take an f/big shot of the sky. If that hasn't done it, try the visible dust arctic butterfly brush. Test again. Only then try swabs, and have many spares on hand if the first go doesn't help or just changes the problem. Use common sense and never reuse swabs. All this gear might cost as much as getting someone to do it for you, but you don't lose your gear for days.

[ryanbarlin]

Thanks guys, going to give the rocket blower a go since I have one already.

[ryanbarlin]

I tried the rocket, and after I did I looked at the mirror. I'm guessing this is it: there is either a mirror hit mark or something stuck to the mirror. A small line. It looks more like a hit to me, I could be wrong.

http://i.imgur.com/hbcImb7h.jpg

I'm not sure how exactly I got it- I'm mostly using Canon lenses and it appeared before I started using manual m42 lenses.

I'm a bit nervous about it, might take it to a camera repair shop.

[I @ M]

So, i've been shooting 600% more in the last 6 months. Mostly timelapse, and I notice I have a spot on the left on all photos.




I'm guessing this is it: there is either a mirror hit mark or something stuck to the mirror. A small line. It looks more like a hit to me, I could be wrong.


A mark on the mirror is not going to be what is seen in the final image. The mirror surface is not part of the imaging process.

If you have a mark on the mirror I would suggest that unless you have a radically defective Canon lens that you put the mark on the mirror with either an intrusive cleaning device or a non compatible lens.

[ryanbarlin]

Good to know, I was freaking out a bit!

[fabian628]

Set the camera to 'clean manually' and rocket blow it to start with. Shooting macro at high magnification and narrow aperture you see _everything_
I bought a 'sensor swab' kit from the internet, its just isopropanol and some soft cloths wrapped onto a swabbing stick really. The kit is about $30 for 12 sticks. I have done it a few times now on both bodies, no issues and it removes most of the visible stuff on my sensor. Not sure how you could do damage unless you started scratching the sensor with something. Anyway, good luck, maybe worth someone else showing you before you try it yourself.

[bricat]

{"A mark on the mirror is not going to be what is seen in the final image. The mirror surface is not part of the imaging process."}

What purpose is the mirror then? I need to learn a bit more is why I ask. cheers Brian

[I @ M]

What purpose is the mirror then? I need to learn a bit more is why I ask. cheers Brian

Brian, read section 2 on this page (http://www.jiscdigitalmedia.ac.uk/guide/the-digital-slr-camera-for-teaching-learning-and-digitisation). It has a clear explanation of what happens in an SLR / DSLR camera as to the function of the mirror.

[bricat]

Well I be b........ They say you learn something new every day Thanks Brian