Dust on sensor

[Vectis Birder]

After 14 months of managing to keep a clean sensor I now have something on it that looks suspiciously like an animal hair (I blame my aunt's ancient cat!). What is the best way to clean it? I have to admit that cleaning it myself holds a degree of trepidation for me, so would it be best to take it to a shop instead of attempting to do it myself (I understand it's a process fraught with peril)?

Cheers
VB

[rezMole]

After 14 months of managing to keep a clean sensor I now have something on it that looks suspiciously like an animal hair (I blame my aunt's ancient cat!). What is the best way to clean it? I have to admit that cleaning it myself holds a degree of trepidation for me, so would it be best to take it to a shop instead of attempting to do it myself (I understand it's a process fraught with peril)?


it isn't that hard. I use this: http://www.warehouseexpress.com/?\photo\cleaning\crownb.html

I successfully removed some dried on insect poo, after a small creature got in unnoticed whilst i was changing lenes!

[hollis_f]

For a cat hair you'd probably get a good result using a rocket blower. Dead simple to do and quite cheap. Doesn't go anywhere near the sensor itself so isn't too scary either.

[Corvus Corax]

Do you really want to use a blower & possibly push the hair further into the camera ?

I would use a sable artists brush for a hair on the sensor persoally as it will trap the hair and draw it out without wetting (chemically) the sensor of pushing the hair in.

Just a thought.

[Stranger]

If you opt for the blower/brush make sure you hold the camera upside down so any foreign object falls out.Preferably over a white sheet of paper so that you can see that the object has actually come out.

[Vectis Birder]

Thanks for the suggestions, guys. I went to my local camera shop this lunchtime and they told me they charge £45 for sensor cleaning so I didn't bother! The guy did, however, tell me that I could put the camera in continuous shooting mode, take the lens off, hold the machine with the lens opening facing downwards and keep the shutter button pressed for one second and that should dislodge the hair. I tried it and it seems to have worked a treat - the hair is gone (for now - I'm hoping it fell out of the camera altogether and has not just gone somewhere else).

If the hair - or anything else - comes back, then I'll get the thing cleaned properly, it just didn't seem worth it for a cat/dog hair that I can clone out (I just didn't like it being there).

Cheers
VB

[gasjkh2]

If you opt for the blower/brush make sure you hold the camera upside down so any foreign object falls out.Preferably over a white sheet of paper so that you can see that the object has actually come out.


Can anyone advise what is the best & safest system for cleaning the sensor & the view finder.

I have a D200 that needs a good clean and am trying to find a way of cleaning both which is SAFE?

Thanks

[Stranger]

Can anyone advise what is the best & safest system for cleaning the sensor & the view finder.

I have a D200 that needs a good clean and am trying to find a way of cleaning both which is SAFE?

Thanks
I have used Jessops cleaning kit on my viewfinder and sensor (300D/350D) with no problems so far.
You get a small bottle of Alcohol,cotton buds,cloth,anti-static wipes and blower brush.
Take care to do it in as dust free environment as is possible.
I am fortunate in that I have access to a dust free cabinet at work.

[RJL2005]

I paid £50 to have my 30d set to Lehmanns after a trip to Africa. The sensor was removed, cleaned and back in 10 days.

[pduxon]

Can anyone advise what is the best & safest system for cleaning the sensor & the view finder.

I have a D200 that needs a good clean and am trying to find a way of cleaning both which is SAFE?

Thanks

if you don't fancy doing it yourself....

if you live near London you can take it to Nikon, they'll charge you £25 and do it while you wait.

fixation who are in central london will do it while you wait and charge similar amounts. fixation are recommended by Grays amongst others