Dust Spots Problem

[Jeff Lear]

<p>I've been having quite the time with sensor spots recently. I've always used the same processes to remedy the problem: Rocket Bulb followed by (when necessary) Arctic Butterfly brush followed by (when necessary) two drops of Eclipse E2 on a Sensor Swab. Usually by step two I'm in good shape, dust-wise but recently I've been unlucky.</p>

<p>After an hour of chasing sensor spots last night I counted no less than 60 spots on my final test shot (5 seconds at f/22). In addition, I noticed that there was an area in the lower left that was not changing with swabbing and <em>suspected</em> that the E2 fluid had wicked between the sensor filter and the sensor, itself. Crap.</p>

<p>I took it into the Irvine Canon Service Center this morning to have the sensor cleaned and the issue with the lower left corner diagnosed. For the record, sensor cleanings were previously free (and my camera is still under warranty)... That is no longer the case. As of March 9, 2009 they charge a "nominal" US$30 fee for sensor cleaning (I'll refrain from commenting on how going from free to thirty bucks is "nominal" but whatever). Two hours later I had my 5D back. The tech said that he didn't notice anything unusual in the lower left and indeed, after another f/22 test shot the anomaly was no longer there. What I did find was a load of $30 dust. Each of the following frames represent less than 1/10th of the sensor are a, I've adjusted the curves and contrast to better show what I'm trying to conv ey.<br>

<img src="http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r34/F1Addict/Miscellaneous%20Crap/IMG_8266_b_c.jpg" alt="" /><br>

<a href="http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r34/F1Addict/Miscellaneous%20Crap/IMG_8266_a_c.jpg"><img src="http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r34/F1Addict/Miscellaneous%20Crap/IMG_8266_a_c.jpg" alt="" /></a><br>

<a href="http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r34/F1Addict/Miscellaneous%20Crap/IMG_8266_c.jpg"><img src="http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r34/F1Addict/Miscellaneous%20Crap/IMG_8266_c.jpg" alt="" /></a></p>

<p>From the time the body was handed to me at the service center I held it face down. When I got home, I removed the camera from the sealed plastic bag re-installed the battery and my freshly cleaned 50mm f/1.4, I then took a test shot and found the above. This would be unacceptable if it were FREE.</p>

<p>Now I'm forced to shoot a wedding tomorrow with this (and a 40D). Honestly, it's no better and perhaps worse than when I delivered it to Canon. I've always had good luck with Canon service, I've had my sensor cleaned there numerous time s before I could afford to invest in the tools to do it myself, the service center is only 5 miles from my home and when it was free there was no reason to do it myself.</p>

[steven_f1]

<p>Have you cleaned the lens, the side closest to the sensor? Other than that I don't have any ideas. I generally clean the same way you do and haven't had any issues on my 5D. I haven't taken it to canon. Does Canon do a test shot after they clean the sensor? You might want to ask. If they did at f22 then I would look at your lenses. </p>

[patricklavoie]

<p>it look like a really bad job ..sorry for you. rent another body asap and resend this one for another clean up somewhere else.</p>

[Jeff Lear]

<p>Thanks Steven and Patrick. I just tried my 24-105 with the same results and I tried the 50 on the 40D and the sensor came up clean so it's not the lens (plus, I cleaned all of my optics meticulously last night). I decided to try using the Rocket Blower on the 5D but it made no difference. I want to go after it with the sensor brush but the way things are going I'd probably just make it worse.</p>

<p>Fortunately, I have the 40D and the person I'm assisting has a Rebel XT and a brand new XSi so even if I can't get the 5D clean between now and tomorrow morning there are three other bodies being employed. I just love my 5D, especially for outdoor weddings and now I'll be stuck using my backup as primary.</p>

<p>I read somewhere that you can use any soft brush on the sensor provided it is oil free. I think it might have been Bob Atkins who suggested first using the brush on a filter to see if it leaves streaks and if it doesn't, it's safe to use on your sensor. I have a very soft sable paintbrush that I use for brushing my glass, it leaves no streaks or residue of any kind. Has anyone tried this on their sensor?</p>

[t37traveler]

<p>I would rent a body and raise some serious cane about the lack of cleaning. I'd go so far as to ask that shop to provide a body at no charge. The technician obviously did not check his/her work, and took no pride in it - just took your money. There is really no excuse for this kind of lousy service. Being a pro, you have a serious cause to have a beef and a little more clout than Joe Amateur. I had similar spots frequently on my Nikon D100. Every time I took it to Ritz where I bought it, they first cleaned it in the store (the manager was a serious photographer and shot Nikon). If they couldn't clean it, it went to their repair facility and always came back "spotless." What happened to you just isn't right!</p>

[curt wiler]

<p>After some serious episodes of my cleaning (exactly the same process as yours) sometimes creating even more problems, I decided the problem was the blowers I was using - they were sucking dust into themselves in storage, and then blowing it onto the sensor. A new blower solved the problem and I threw out two old ones. I suspect it happened in my travel "tools" case. Now I keep the blower bulbs in clean plastic bags.</p>

[Jeff Lear]

<p>I use the Giottos blower and often remove the stem and rinse the bulb to avoid dust build-up inside (obviously, I let it dry thoroughly before using it again). I also store it in a zip-lock.</p>

<p>I also want to clarify that I took the camera to Canon, not a third party service center but Canon's West Coast Headquarters... Canon employees, Canon techs, giant Canon sign on top of a large headquartery-looking building.</p>

[Ed_Ingold]

<p>An ordinary brush will do no more than rearrange dust/lint on the sensor. The act of brushing generates static electricity which holds the dust all the more. To some extent, blowing does the same unless the blast is really intense. Giottos Rockets have been acused of generating particulate, and strong blasts risk forcing dust behind the IR filter.</p>

<p>The Visible Dust brush works by generating a static electric charge on the brush which attacts and holds lint from the sensor. The Eclipse Fluid method (Copperhill) works by using capillary action of the fluid to suck up and hold lint particles. It will also remove some sticky residues (e.g., Rocket dust) by solvent action.</p>

<p>I suggest using the Arctic Butterfly brush only. If that doesn't work, use the Eclipse Fluid and PEC Pad (or Sensor Swab) method, followed by the Arctic Butterfly. The brush should always be the last step. The "economy" Visible Dust kit has a somewhat heavier brush which seems to work better on the first pass than the much lighter Arctic Butterfly.</p>

<p>Be sure to dust out the mirror box, including mirror-up, shutter closed. If the sensor gets dirty soon after cleaning, the mirror may be fanning up dust. Also de-dust the back end of your lenses and vacuum out the bag. With these precautions, I find my sensor rarely needs cleaning, and then only with Visible Dust brushes. I don't own, use or intend to use a Giottos blower for reasons cited. A lens brush and canned air works to dedust lenses, and an anti-static brush works well on the mirror box (don't touch the front of the mirror).</p>

[arie07]

<p>I have been dealing with sensor dirt since the day I got my first DSLR. Tried many remedies. The only one that works for me is the old faithful Kodak (or any other brand) lens cleaner. I tape a piece of folded lens cleaner tissue on a chinese chopstick (to build up many layers of tissue between the chopstick and the sensor) after shaping the stick like a smal flat spatula, put a drop or two of lens cleaning fluid on the tissue and work the sensor very gently. Then I repeat the process with the same arrangement but with a dry lens tissue until clean. As with a lens, never put any liquid straight onto the sensor to avoid getting it between the cutoff filter and the sensor itself.<br />I also found useful to blow and vacuum clean (not with your carpet vacuum (you may suck out the shutter) but with a small gentler vacuum cleaner like the ones sold for computers and delicate equipment.<br />To test the condition of the sensor pick a lens with a very small aperture (f:22 or so) and take a shot of a flat, out of focus surface.<br />Do not try to have the sensor area totally clean - it is an almost impossible thing to do in your home and with these instruments. If you send it to the factory to be professionaly cleaned - your financial statement will be some $100 lighter, you'll be missing your camera for a couple of weeks and the first time you change your lenses the spotless condition will be history.</p>

[Jeff Lear]

<p>Just wanted to update. The shoot went great today. Just finished perusing hundreds of images and while they're not all great (they never are), they appear to be virtually dust free.</p>

<p>I did hit it with the E2 and a Sensor Swab again, last night.</p>

<p>Thanks to you all for listening to me rant in frustration. I've definitely learned from many of your suggestions. </p>