Digital camera sensor cleaning and those rascally rabbits
Camera maintenance is an important habit to get into, but of course no one has to be too meticulous about it. Hell, housework is certainly not my strong point.
This morning I gave my baby (Canon 20D) a spruce up. I thought it was perfect timing with the sun shining and a stunning blue sky – just as you’d expect in Melbourne. Of course at time of writing the clouds have rolled in to provide a diffusing effect to the scenery. :)
The camera sensor was due for a little dust removal. So, off I toddled with the 50mm prime lens attached and I set the camera to manual mode and proceeded to take exposures at F/22. F/22 is perfect for revealing those dust bunnies. You know the one’s, those darn spots we remove in photoshop and are a right pain in the ass. What fun – not.
Anyway, I soon found a big dust bunny had come to the party. The bloody thing was bigger than Bugs Bunny. Huh, that big bugger was in fact on the rear lens element, so after a few exposures rocket science (a brain wave) soon dictated that he/she had to be exterminated with a quick wipe with a soft lens cloth. Done.
Onwards we go to a little fiddling in photoshop and a play with the auto levels option. That was interesting to say the least and clearly revealed those dastardly bunnies at their worst. After a few goes at exterminating them I have a relatively clean baby all ready to take for a spin.
Above – Sensor before cleaning
Above – Sensor after cleaning
Above – Sensor before cleaning with auto levels adjustment in Photoshop
Above – Sensor after cleaning with auto levels adjustment in Photoshop
I use the Copper Hill kit products as supplied by Quality Cameras in Perth. I have no affiliation with them, but can recommend their prompt and courteous service and cleaning kit products.
Of course I couldn’t get rid of all the bunnies, so I suspect the mummy and daddy bunny will make more little bunnies for me to exterminate in the future. Those rascally rabbits.
Some great info here to assist.
http://www.pbase.com/copperhill/ccd_cleaning
And this is the way I do it.
http://www.pbase.com/copperhill/image/71784128
Sharon Hammond
I’ve never been brave enough to clean my own sensor. It’s a bit like putting air in my tyres or using a power tool – a mental block I’m sure
Darren Stones replied
I thought you were going to say you’d never played the part of a mummy bunny. ;)
Shaz, it’s piss easy to do. If I can do it, anyone can. Seriously. The instructions say to practice on a CD case before attempting to clean the sensor. I did that and have never looked back.
Anne O'Connor
Thanks for the entry. That big bunny was sure BIG. More like an alien bunny LOL. However it is the rapid procreation that gets you. Glad to see you gave them all “to a good home” or just “gave them away” LOL :0)
Darren Stones replied
Thanks, Anne. The big bunnies are the one’s to watch out for. They just don’t know when to stop. Cheers.
Sharon Hammond
OK Daz – ur on. I will get Stu to send me one. If I stuff up my new camera I’m coming to slap you
Darren Stones replied
I don’t mind if you slap me, Shaz. :)
The equipment is a good investment and saves plenty of time at the computer. You’ll be glad you made the move.
Hans Kawitzki
Hi Darren,great article and tip.
Had a look at the Cooper Hill products but got a bit confused with all the different types on offer which one would you recomment ? or what type are you using ?
Cheers – Hans
Darren Stones replied
Hi Hans. This link will show exactly what I use on my Canon 20D.
http://www.pbase.com/copperhill/image/39082096
It’s the 14mm sensor swipe, Eclipse cleaning fluid and the lint-free non-abrasive wipes.
Different size sensors require different sized swipes.
Hans Kawitzki
Thanks a million for that Darren
Darren Stones replied
That’s okay Hans. Glad it helped.
Anne van Alkemade
good stuff Darren
Darren Stones replied
Thanks Anne. Amazing how the auto-levels button reveals the dust bunnies. Trust it helped. Cheers.
Christine Wilson
my sensor is not the prob right now but dust in the view finder I find annoying and can’t clean it
Wendy Slee
This was good to read…...am totally in the dark as to what to do and whether I am even supposed to!!! As for those bunnies of yours, I have some nasty little matching cousins over this way that seem to be multiplying like you would not believe…..eeeyew, to think of them doing THAT inside my camera!
Danielle Knight
great info here, i hafe the same problem. Thanks a bunch
SylviaHardy
Thank you for that Darren :-))
Robert Elliott
Good stuff Darren. I have a 20D that I regularly clean, after shooting the beautiful blue sky, using a different product. An interesting aspect is that I never have any problems with those bloody rabbits when I take my landscape snapshots, it’s only when I turn on the continuos shoot mode when taking bird photos that the bloody rabbits appear, and always in the same spots.
I thinks that the rabbits and shutter oil (or what ever they use) have been getting together in my 20d
On a serious note, once you get passed the 1st scary go it’s not that hard at all.
Darren Stones replied
Agree, Robert. Once you’ve done it once, it’s smooth sailing from there.
Camera maintenance is like doing the dishes – it’s a chore, but someone has to do it. :)
Lara Luz
thanks for this! I been thinking about going out and getting a cleaning kit for the sensor after a few weekends by the sea.
Kristina K
hey darren, timing my friend, i have my battery on charge as i have just read my manual to know how to do the auto sensor clean..i was taking shots of some cockatoos in my trees, didnt see the bunnies until i got one flying..lol..am on here until battery is ready..lol
wish me luck..:)) k
Bob Moore
Now I am cleaning my camera, thanx for the narrative and the quick walk thru, it’s always good to have good habits reinforced
Mick Davson
I have an Olympus E3 which is 7 months old. Decided to check my sensor after reading your article. Looks like a bloody petri dish in there!!! I then decided to do the same with my 2 and half year old e500. Not one dust particle.
Rang Olympus and they said they wanted me to ship it off to NSW for them to have a look. I asked why I cannot just get the camera tech at the shop to give it a clean and they crapped on about scratching the sensor…..I think they were just covering their arses though. I do find it interesting that I have no issue with the older e500 but have this issue with the E3…perhaps it’s the amount of shooting with a big zoom lens under bad weather conditions. Rang the shop where I bought it and they were bemused that Olympus would say that given they do about 50 sensor cleans a month with no issue. Anyway, I think I will pay the $95 to have a camera tech give it a clean as I am not confident doing it myself.
DiEtte Henderson
Oh, I feel your pain! Great info here.
Jane Keats
Thanks Darren, you can be a handy fella to have around occasionally :o)