How to Clean a Canon EOS 30D Sensor

Notice those black spots in the images from you digital SLR camera? Those are dust and particles that have found their way onto your sensor when you change lenses. No matter how quickly you can change a lens, dust will inevitably find its way inside. Taking your camera to a professional shop to be cleaned can be costly at $40 to $50 a trip. But with proper tools, lens cleaners and careful handling, you can come out on top and with a few extra bucks in your pocket.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Sensor cleaing kit such as the Econo 1.6x Complete Kit from VisibleDust.com
• -OR-
• Foam-tipped swabs (on sticks, similar to a Q-tip)
• Camera chamber cleaning solution
• Large bulb blower
• Sensor cleaning swab
• A sensor brush (optional)
• A sensor brush spinner (optional)

1. Remove the camera lens and wipe down the inside of the camera chamber with a foam tipped swab dampened with camera chamber cleaning solution.

2. Turn on your camera. Make sure that it's powered by an AC adapter or a fully charged battery. It may need to be in "bulb" mode to maintain access to the sensor.

3. Use a large bulb blower (without a brushed attached) to blast the initial dust and particles from the sensor. The bottom tip of the blower should not go farther into the camera chamber than the lens would.

4. Place lens back onto camera and take a test shot on white paper to see if the dust has been removed. If there are still specs of dust that you want removed, proceed to the next step.

5. Remove the camera's lens once more, and brush the sensor once with a sensor cleaning swab, applying very light pressure. The swipe should cover the width of the sensor. If it doesn't, use another swab. Each swab should only be used once to prevent the reapplication of dust.

6. Swipe the sensor with a midsized sensor brush attached to a brush spinner. This step is optional.

Tips & Warnings

• Do your test shots at small apertures like f22 and f29 to make sure all of the dust is removed. They won't be visible at f8 or f11.
• Don't use compressed air to clean the sensor or the inside of the camera. It contains a propellant that isn't good for the camera. Remember that if you tamper with your camera, and you break it, you've violated the terms of your warranty and will have to pay for the damages yourself. If you don't have a steady hand or don't feel comfortable handling this process, leave it to the professionals.

References

• Mac World
• Bob Atkins Photography
• Copper Hill Images

Resources

• VisibleDust Cleaning Tools

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