CCD and/or mirror cleaning

[dazbaz_99]

I have noticed some darkish round shadows appear on my photos, they are only really noticeable when i take shots of say the sky. I assumed it may be some dust or the like, on the bottom mirror, as i coud see a spec on it when i had a look. I bought a tool that picks up small particles and have removed the offending item. I took another test photo and the small shadowy dots are still there, infact they have multiplyed if anything. Im wondering if the bottom mirror needs cleaning. Do any of you guys know the best way of doing this? I have pec-pads and eclipse cleaning solution, maybe this combination would be suitable? Having to clean the CCD is a last resort, so therefore im trying to rule out other possibilites first. I have also cleaned my lenses and they are not the problem.

Any help would be great, this is such a minor thing but its really going to bug me.

[Tim Falce]

It wont be the mirror as that lifts up as in a normal SLR camera.
It'll be the CCD that has the dirt on it. DONT do as I did and use any form of cloth or touch it with anything as it will make it a thousand times worse. My camera is still unusable and I need to find a proper CCD cleaning kit or send it away.

[Hubble]

Set the aperture to as small as you can, take a picture of the sky, preferably somewhere it is uniform in colour. Inspect the image on the LCD screen, magnifying it as much as you can. If the spots still appear, you need to clean the sensor.

This can be done with Digi-Pads (NOT Pec-Pads) of the correct size for your sensor and Eclipse fluid. In the manual there should be instructions for cleaning the sensor, which will involve flipping the mirror up out of the way. Ensure you follow these instructions to the letter. It may say in the manual not to touch the sensor with anything - Canon and Nikon do not recommend you clean the sensor yourself, however if you are careful, there is no reason why it should not be possible without damaging the sensor.

Once the mirror is up out of the way, take a new Digi-Pad, put one or two drops of fluid along the edge, and then wipe it gently across the sensor in one clean movement from one end to the other, no stopping. Then go back again using the other side. Sensor should then be clean. I normally always clean my sensors (1DmkIIN and 2x 20D's) in my kitchen (better lighing), as I like to be able to see the fluid evaporating evenly across the sensor, leaving no spots, however I have cleaned them in the car and outside when necessary, always with good results. Once the sensor is done I use the pad to clean across the mirror quickly. The main thing is to be extremely careful. If you are at all clumsy, don't do it yourself. There is plenty of information on sensor cleaning available on the net, so don't just take my advice - check it out for yourself. If in doubt, get it done by a professional.

Good luck

Phil

[dazbaz_99]

Well im going to order some Digi-Pads and give them a go. I dont really want to send my camera off to a specialist and be ripped off particularly. Im sure cleaning a CCD isnt that difficult as long as you do it correctly. Am i right in saying that if the mirror was dirty it would not affect photos, but would just show up any specs of dirt when i look through the view finder?

[Hubble]

Originally Posted by dazbaz_99

Am i right in saying that if the mirror was dirty it would not affect photos, but would just show up any specs of dirt when i look through the view finder?

Yes. When you operate the shutter, the mirror swings out of the way, exposing the image onto the sensor.

[JohnEboy]

I guess you have tried a bulb/rocket blower to blow away the dust ??

[photohsr]

As JohnEboy suggests the blower should be the first step. So far I've been lucky and that is all I've had to do. I make sure I hold the camera pointing down so any dust/dirt can fall down out of the camera. I've heard good things about Green Clean "http://www.green-cleanusa.com/home.html" but so far haven't had to resort to anything beyond the bulb.
Bob H

[alfacors]

Rocket Blower is the best way, and if the dirt is stubborn, then I use a Copper Hill Cleaning kit (Eclipse Fluid, Pec Pads and sensor swab).

[dazbaz_99]

Well, 2 digipads and 1 rocket blower later i think i have FINALLY removed the dusty specs. First time round seemed to make things worse but the 2nd time i think has done it. I took a photo of the sky at F22 out of focus and could not see any marks. Good sign?