[Help Needed] Stubborn dust spot on sensor

[Silverboi]

Hi guys,

I lent my 2 week old EOS 40D to a friend and it came back with dust on the sensor.
Realised this while reviewing the shots of a sunset I took this evening, right after I collected my camera.
To determine that it was the sensor and not the lens, I cleaned both my lens and used both lens to shoot on 3 different faces of my wall. The images from the test had dark spots at the same location in the frame.

Have already tried manual cleaning the camera upside down with a blower, but a stubborn spot remains and it's quite irritating. I have also read up on DIY sensor cleaning, but I don't have the guts to do that for my camera.

Can somebody advise me on what to do?
I also read that I can send it back to Canon's service centre to get it cleaned. Does anyone know how long it would take for them to clean the sensor for me?

Thanks for reading this.
All help appreciated.

 

[Benchmarc]

If i'm not mistaken its a quickie $20 job... (dont sound too right ;p) Anyways, dont DIY if you are not sure. Camera so ex, spend a few bucks to get it done professionally.

 

[night86mare]

you just need a light touch
and balls to clean it

if the spot isn't moving when you're using a blower, it probably is welded dust
i.e. dust stuck to that spot because of moisture, in which case you need wet cleaning methods

do some reading up

if i'm not wrong people have given feedback that sometimes even canon's techs don't do it properly
once i started doing it myself, i never thought of letting any silly tech do it again

 

[Silverboi]

Thanks for the prompt replies, guys.

Hmm..I think this time round I'll leave it to the professionals first.
Wait until I meet up with the gurus and learn how to do DIY cleaning myself, then I'll start doing it on my own.

So does anyone know if I can get back my camera on the same day?
My brother will definitely go into a fit if he found out I lent the camera out and got the camera into this state.

 

[SilverPine]

I have the dust spot on the sensor just like you before.

What I do as follow:

first is to take one picture on white wall to locate the dust.

Second, lock up the mirror and use the blower to blow on the sensor, at different angle.

Third, repeat step 1 if any dust found, if yes go to step 2.

Dust clean is a regular maintenance we need on the camera.

Please at least try once, and stay away from dust.

 

[Silverboi]

I have the dust spot on the sensor just like you before.

What I do as follow:

first is to take one picture on white wall to locate the dust.

Second, lock up the mirror and use the blower to blow on the sensor, at different angle.

Third, repeat step 1 if any dust found, if yes go to step 2.

Dust clean is a regular maintenance we need on the camera.

Please at least try once, and stay away from dust.

Already tried that buddy.
Thanks for the advice though

 

[Dream Merchant]

I delayed cleaning my sensor for nong nong, till one day I decided that it was time to bite the bullet.

Read and re-read all the materials on the net, got all the supplies etc, then basically dived in.

Verdict? Piece of cake!!! I don't know why I was so scared for so nong!

BTW, your cam so new, if you go CSC and plead nicely, show sad sad face, you might get it cleaned FOC.

 

[Silverboi]

Hahaha..perhaps you can tell me what to buy and which is the best guide to follow?
Would appreciate it.

Anyway, I sent my camera in to CSC today and didn;t pay a cent for it. According to the nice chap I spoke to, the 1st cleaning of sensor within the 1st month of purchase is free. So relieved to have my camera back to normal. Too bad the sunset shots I took yesterday were ruined.

 

[Snoweagle]

Send it back to Canon Service Centre to get it cleaned. Usually it takes abt an hr at most. I always make it a point to get my DSLR cleaned once i see spots from f/11 onwards.

 

[Silverboi]

Send it back to Canon Service Centre to get it cleaned. Usually it takes abt an hr at most. I always make it a point to get my DSLR cleaned once i see spots from f/11 onwards.

Already gotten it cleaned, buddy. HeHz..
Do you clean it yourself or do you let CSC do it for you?

 

[Snoweagle]

Already gotten it cleaned, buddy. HeHz..
Do you clean it yourself or do you let CSC do it for you?

I always bring it back to the service centre. Their cleaning is very gd! The last time i did it abt 2 weeks ago i shot a nice bright blue sky at f/22 and came home to look at it. It only has a tiny faint spot on one side only. Else, it's flawless! :thumbsup: