To clean or not to clean the DSLR CMOS sensor?

kiwi2 · 5th November 2003

I've been using my Canon D30 for about 2 years but somehow I can't really find any huge or very noticeable dust or dirt spots on the images I took, despite enlarging my image to more than 300% in Photoshop and inspecting closely.

So far I've only used a blower to blow any possible dust on the sensor, as recommended by the camera manual and did not touch it with anything else.

So should i then buy one of those cleaners and clean the sensor anyway? For eg, there's a good tip by CS member, sfhuang. Do you all clean the sensor on a regular basis whether or not there is dust?

Somehow I get different views about cleaning the sensor. Some still swear to only use blower and nothing else. Worse case is to send it to Canon centre. Yet I've heard the best way is to make contact with the sensor using swab. But.. is this safe? Will it scratch the sensor?

Thanks...

sfhuang · 5th November 2003

If dust is not a major problem in your pictures, I suggest you do not even touch the CMOS sensor. For me, I regularly clean my S2 Pro (previously S1 Pro) because the CCD is very, very prone to dust and those pesky specks do affect my pictures.

There are different views towards cleaning the sensor DIY-style or sending the camera to the agent for cleaning, or not even cleaning at all. It is all up to the individual IMO. But the fact of the matter is that, cleaning the sensor yourself with a swab will definitely bring in some risks. Nevertheless, if you use fresh, clean PecPads, it is very unlikely you will scratch the sensor with your PecPad-ded swab.

cheers,
sfhuang

Vulpix0r · 5th November 2003

"If it ain't broken, don't fix it."

AJ23 · 5th November 2003

in continuation of the previous post,

"If it's dirty, just clean it."

Sorry, couldn't resist.

For myself, I just use the blower and blow the hell out at the sensor.

ivor · 5th November 2003

I would only recommend that you go back to Canon for cleaning... and NOT DIY...

Just my 2 cents worth.

Belle&Sebastain · 5th November 2003

my d30 also never gotten dirty for the last 6 months, so i never 'touch' it expect for using a blower once a while.

coke21 · 5th November 2003

You may want to check out this link

http://luminous-landscape.com/essays...cleaning.shtml

e_liau · 5th November 2003

I cleaned my D100 once every 3-mths DIY, or if I have a photography assignment the next day. I see it's a matter of preference. Some do it, some don't, giving reasons that they are not confident of doing it. But I strongly feel that all should learn how to do it in case of emergency. Anyway, it's a easy thing to do. Trust me.

Newman · 5th November 2003

Yep, it's easy to DIY.

HelmetBox · 5th November 2003

Hi, maybe you might want to check this thread out

http://forums.clubsnap.org/showthread.php?t=49367

I totally agree that if there's no problem, DON'T TOUCH IT!

But I couldn't resist....... Hehehehehehe

Anyway, if you read the links on the cleaning, its really just cleaning the filter rather than the actual sensor. Don't know if sway sway scratch this filter can change or not?? heheheheh NOT GOING THERE!

Enjoy!

sfhuang · 6th November 2003

Originally Posted by HelmetBox

Hi, maybe you might want to check this thread out

http://forums.clubsnap.org/showthread.php?t=49367

I totally agree that if there's no problem, DON'T TOUCH IT! But I couldn't resist....... Hehehehehehe

Anyway, if you read the links on the cleaning, its really just cleaning the filter rather than the actual sensor. Don't know if sway sway scratch this filter can change or not?? heheheheh NOT GOING THERE!

Enjoy!

A word of caution. If you screw up and scratch the filter/sensor, it is extremely unlikely that the warranty will cover it. However, if you're careful and follow the proper instructions (using lint-free cloth and methanol-based cleaning soln, and so on) you will do ok. The cleaning job is really easy and safe to do.

kiwi2 · 6th November 2003

Hi all,

Thanks for the advice and the links! Hmm, in that case, I won't "fix it" then.

5th November 2003	#1
kiwi2 Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 1,253	To clean or not to clean the DSLR CMOS sensor? I've been using my Canon D30 for about 2 years but somehow I can't really find any huge or very noticeable dust or dirt spots on the images I took, despite enlarging my image to more than 300% in Photoshop and inspecting closely. So far I've only used a blower to blow any possible dust on the sensor, as recommended by the camera manual and did not touch it with anything else. So should i then buy one of those cleaners and clean the sensor anyway? For eg, there's a good tip by CS member, sfhuang. Do you all clean the sensor on a regular basis whether or not there is dust? Somehow I get different views about cleaning the sensor. Some still swear to only use blower and nothing else. Worse case is to send it to Canon centre. Yet I've heard the best way is to make contact with the sensor using swab. But.. is this safe? Will it scratch the sensor? Thanks...

5th November 2003	#2
sfhuang Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 972	If dust is not a major problem in your pictures, I suggest you do not even touch the CMOS sensor. For me, I regularly clean my S2 Pro (previously S1 Pro) because the CCD is very, very prone to dust and those pesky specks do affect my pictures. There are different views towards cleaning the sensor DIY-style or sending the camera to the agent for cleaning, or not even cleaning at all. It is all up to the individual IMO. But the fact of the matter is that, cleaning the sensor yourself with a swab will definitely bring in some risks. Nevertheless, if you use fresh, clean PecPads, it is very unlikely you will scratch the sensor with your PecPad-ded swab. cheers, sfhuang

5th November 2003	#3
Vulpix0r Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: West Posts: 2,792	"If it ain't broken, don't fix it."

5th November 2003	#4
AJ23 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Town of Queens doing PORT-9YOU Posts: 6,711	in continuation of the previous post, "If it's dirty, just clean it." Sorry, couldn't resist. For myself, I just use the blower and blow the hell out at the sensor.

5th November 2003	#5
ivor Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: SINGAPOUR Posts: 1,905	I would only recommend that you go back to Canon for cleaning... and NOT DIY... Just my 2 cents worth.

5th November 2003	#6
Belle&Sebastain Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: here Posts: 3,752	my d30 also never gotten dirty for the last 6 months, so i never 'touch' it expect for using a blower once a while.

5th November 2003	#7
coke21 Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: East Posts: 728	You may want to check out this link http://luminous-landscape.com/essays...cleaning.shtml

5th November 2003	#8
e_liau Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: New York Posts: 235	I cleaned my D100 once every 3-mths DIY, or if I have a photography assignment the next day. I see it's a matter of preference. Some do it, some don't, giving reasons that they are not confident of doing it. But I strongly feel that all should learn how to do it in case of emergency. Anyway, it's a easy thing to do. Trust me.

5th November 2003	#9
Newman Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: TBC Posts: 948	Yep, it's easy to DIY.

5th November 2003	#10
HelmetBox Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,312	Hi, maybe you might want to check this thread out http://forums.clubsnap.org/showthread.php?t=49367 I totally agree that if there's no problem, DON'T TOUCH IT! But I couldn't resist....... Hehehehehehe Anyway, if you read the links on the cleaning, its really just cleaning the filter rather than the actual sensor. Don't know if sway sway scratch this filter can change or not?? heheheheh NOT GOING THERE! Enjoy!

6th November 2003	#12
kiwi2 Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 1,253	Hi all, Thanks for the advice and the links! Hmm, in that case, I won't "fix it" then.