Are these normal?

aong · 25th October 2003

Hi all,

F32, 1/50s, 300mm (35mm equiv: 477mm) on my 300d.

Are these specks normal? I'd tried changing lens and i get the roughly the same thing, in the same position... can salvage, clean?

Michael Ang · 25th October 2003

Originally Posted by aong

Hi all,

F32, 1/50s, 300mm (35mm equiv: 477mm) on my 300d.

Are these specks normal? I'd tried changing lens and i get the roughly the same thing, in the same position... can salvage, clean?

hi, these certainly don't look normal...

looks like your sensors are dirty...
u can either give it a clean or send it to canon for servicing...

Dom7 · 25th October 2003

IMHO sent to Canon for servicing.

Bobo · 25th October 2003

Originally Posted by aong

Hi all,

F32, 1/50s, 300mm (35mm equiv: 477mm) on my 300d.

Are these specks normal? I'd tried changing lens and i get the roughly the same thing, in the same position... can salvage, clean?

wat you did to your 300d man? So new cam eeeeee

HelmetBox · 25th October 2003

those are SO normal! on a dirty lens or sensor that is

There was a recent thread on cleaning the CCD, it's simple and requires just some cleaning agents tat can be bought from CP or AP.

Maybe I should try seeing my sensor dirty or not....... Did you just shoot on a gray background?

aong · 25th October 2003

Originally Posted by HelmetBox

those are SO normal! on a dirty lens or sensor that is

There was a recent thread on cleaning the CCD, it's simple and requires just some cleaning agents tat can be bought from CP or AP.

Maybe I should try seeing my sensor dirty or not....... Did you just shoot on a gray background?

hah.. well, just tot i chk out a few things.. try various settings, etc

anyway, i shot against the sky, just put to smallest aperture value ... it should appear?

HelmetBox · 25th October 2003

Originally Posted by aong

hah.. well, just tot i chk out a few things.. try various settings, etc

anyway, i shot against the sky, just put to smallest aperture value ... it should appear?

Oh.... maybe those aren't spots afterall but little alien ships? Try shooting somewhere else

kidding.

Newman · 26th October 2003

The spots are dust specks on your CMOS. This are very normal and you may not be able to see them on the CMOS chip with the naked eye. And no point sending to Canon as this is a very common occurrence if you change your lenses often. My advice is learn to clean it yourself. It's not difficult. You can check if your CMOS/CCD is dirty by shooting at the sky or the gray background in PS. Then use auto levels in PS and the dust specks will stand out more.
Happy cleaning!

HelmetBox · 26th October 2003

FWAH LEWS!

I went to do the same test, and guess what?! YOUR PICT IS CONSIDERED CLEAN!

This is fatal....... And I never even knew they were there! Even the dust on my lens aren't as evident!

Urgent! URGENT!

This calls for immediate action. Anyone knows how much the solution and cleaning kit costs?

HelmetBox · 26th October 2003

anyway, i found the link, hope it helps!

http://www.clubsnap.org/display.php?...DCleaning.html

mika · 26th October 2003

Originally Posted by HelmetBox

anyway, i found the link, hope it helps!

http://www.clubsnap.org/display.php?...DCleaning.html

Hi I wonder if any of the old timers here are willing to guide newbies like us to clean the cmos sensor? I have read through the article, sounds simple enough but will feel a lot more asssured if there is someone guiding me.

Anyone kind enough to guide? And also recommend us on the stuffs to buy? CP quoted me $100++ for the cleaning kit but I think from the site, it shouldnt cost so much.

Newbie123 · 26th October 2003

You can either DIY a cleaning kit or just use a blower to blow the sensor. If the blower method dun work (for tough stains), u can send it to Canon for the to let the technicans to do the cleaning.

aong · 26th October 2003

Originally Posted by Newbie123

You can either DIY a cleaning kit or just use a blower to blow the sensor. If the blower method dun work (for tough stains), u can send it to Canon for the to let the technicans to do the cleaning.

how long it typically take for htem to clean ah? got 'clean on the fly' services?

Newman · 26th October 2003

You do not need to buy the cleaning kit. Just get:

1. A bottle of Eclipse cleaning solution which comes with 10 photo wipes - $19
2. Something to wrap the wipes around. I use those tongue depressors which you can get from a pharmacy for $1 for a pack of 20.
3. Pack of 100 photo wipes -$15 (optional but the 10 that comes with the solution won't last long)

1&3 can get from CP.

Read the cleaning guide and follow my tips also:
1. Do not use a blower. It will only move the dust elsewhere in your cam which may be not possible to clean without opening your cam up.
2. Make sure your holder is not too wide and watch out for the shutters when you clean. You may leave some fibres on the shutter from the wipes if you aren't careful enough.
3. Use as few strokes as possible and do not use the same side for subsequent wipes.

It will take a while to learn how to clean properly but it's worth it. Do not worry about damaging the sensor. It is quite tough. I use the tongue depressor cause it's made of wood and although it's firm enough to hold, it won't scratch.

Everyone with a DSLR has this problem and it's obvious only when you shoot something like the sky.

HelmetBox · 27th October 2003

Originally Posted by aong

how long it typically take for htem to clean ah? got 'clean on the fly' services?

According to another thread, their experience was 'on the fly' like only 5 to 10mins, but then the results weren't very pleasing, i.e still got a few spots.

HelmetBox · 27th October 2003

Originally Posted by Newbie123

You can either DIY a cleaning kit or just use a blower to blow the sensor. If the blower method dun work (for tough stains), u can send it to Canon for the to let the technicans to do the cleaning.

Urm....... in one of the write ups in the link, they did explain why not to use a blower....... Better safe then sorry yah?

HelmetBox · 4th November 2003

Hehe.... I just did my first sensor cleaning today!

Got the solution and lint free cloth from CP which costs around ~30 bucks (Cheap considering the fact that the cleaning kit costs $180! and the writeup said these cloth and solution should last a year)

Made a cheapo tool from a plastic swab looking thing lying around (You never know what you'll find when you start digging

)

Wasn't very pro at it

. Wasn't able to follow the 'moves' : I was brushing up and down a few times even though it was advised not to use the same side of the lint free cloth more than once as it will redeposit the dust. Performance anxiety probably.

Results:
Not totally clean, still there were a few spots. But comparing with the original pict I took, at least 90% of the spots were gone with 10% 'reorganised' (good reason why they say only use the side once

)

Its acceptable

and I'm glad my CCD is cleaner now. Will clean again and improve on the strokes. This will soon become a norm!

I seriously recommend this to anyone who wants to save a fortune, have clean CCDs and feels like being technical!

ENJOY!

ST1100 · 4th November 2003

The dust spots won't show unless you frequently shoot at very small apertures, eg landscape or architecture type of work. Reason is bcoz the dust is not really on the sensor but in front of it, and for larger apertures, the shadows cast by the dust specks are not visible.

i'm bringing this up bcoz i think frequent (unnecessary) cleaning is really a high risk thing. One mistake and there goes your shutter. i don't think Canon's going to warranty that kind of damage.

HelmetBox · 4th November 2003

Originally Posted by ST1100

The dust spots won't show unless you frequently shoot at very small apertures, eg landscape or architecture type of work. Reason is bcoz the dust is not really on the sensor but in front of it, and for larger apertures, the shadows cast by the dust specks are not visible.

i'm bringing this up bcoz i think frequent (unnecessary) cleaning is really a high risk thing. One mistake and there goes your shutter. i don't think Canon's going to warranty that kind of damage.

Its this 'dirty feeling' like in one of the post a member said he literally jumped and ran around the house, that was my exact feeling.

Yes yes, high risk! I very scared the mirror lock-up hang! Like battery run out or something. Eeeee.

Cleaning really depends on shooting conditions I guess. But then this DSLR thingy, so easy attract dust. I don't even change lens much and after a month the dust problem was scary. And I agree on the little effects in situations as its on the filter before the actual sensor (don't know how it eventually effects though) but then subconciously I didn't feel right and had to do it.

Its like those don't do won't die do already may die but still want to do thing. Hahahahaha

Will take your advice, prevention better than cure, try to stop dust from going in so that no need to clean so much.

best of both worlds!

25th October 2003	#1
aong Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Marine Parade Posts: 138	Are these normal? Hi all, F32, 1/50s, 300mm (35mm equiv: 477mm) on my 300d. Are these specks normal? I'd tried changing lens and i get the roughly the same thing, in the same position... can salvage, clean?

26th October 2003	#8
Newman Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: TBC Posts: 954	Warning! DSLR not maintenance free! The spots are dust specks on your CMOS. This are very normal and you may not be able to see them on the CMOS chip with the naked eye. And no point sending to Canon as this is a very common occurrence if you change your lenses often. My advice is learn to clean it yourself. It's not difficult. You can check if your CMOS/CCD is dirty by shooting at the sky or the gray background in PS. Then use auto levels in PS and the dust specks will stand out more. Happy cleaning!

25th October 2003	#3
Dom7 New Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 44	IMHO sent to Canon for servicing.

25th October 2003	#5
HelmetBox Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,312	those are SO normal! on a dirty lens or sensor that is There was a recent thread on cleaning the CCD, it's simple and requires just some cleaning agents tat can be bought from CP or AP. Maybe I should try seeing my sensor dirty or not....... Did you just shoot on a gray background?

26th October 2003	#12
Newbie123 Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 494	You can either DIY a cleaning kit or just use a blower to blow the sensor. If the blower method dun work (for tough stains), u can send it to Canon for the to let the technicans to do the cleaning.

4th November 2003	#17
HelmetBox Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,312	Hehe.... I just did my first sensor cleaning today! Got the solution and lint free cloth from CP which costs around ~30 bucks (Cheap considering the fact that the cleaning kit costs $180! and the writeup said these cloth and solution should last a year) Made a cheapo tool from a plastic swab looking thing lying around (You never know what you'll find when you start digging ) Wasn't very pro at it . Wasn't able to follow the 'moves' : I was brushing up and down a few times even though it was advised not to use the same side of the lint free cloth more than once as it will redeposit the dust. Performance anxiety probably. Results: Not totally clean, still there were a few spots. But comparing with the original pict I took, at least 90% of the spots were gone with 10% 'reorganised' (good reason why they say only use the side once ) Its acceptable and I'm glad my CCD is cleaner now. Will clean again and improve on the strokes. This will soon become a norm! I seriously recommend this to anyone who wants to save a fortune, have clean CCDs and feels like being technical! ENJOY!

4th November 2003	#18
ST1100 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Singapore, Bedok Posts: 1,800	The dust spots won't show unless you frequently shoot at very small apertures, eg landscape or architecture type of work. Reason is bcoz the dust is not really on the sensor but in front of it, and for larger apertures, the shadows cast by the dust specks are not visible. i'm bringing this up bcoz i think frequent (unnecessary) cleaning is really a high risk thing. One mistake and there goes your shutter. i don't think Canon's going to warranty that kind of damage.