To CLEAN or Not to CLEAN your CCD/Chip.....

[Tom Swaman]

I am hoping that this thread is a reality check for many, Considering that the charges on the chip of a digital camera can attract small particles of dust, etc., is it advisable for an amateur to clean their own chip beyond attempting to blow the dust of an uncharged chip when the mirror is raised and the camera is upside down and turned off?

What do you do? What tools do you use? How often do you apply what technique?

Thanks for the input,
Tom

[Atlas Photography]

I cleaned my Nikon D50 sensor several weeks ago. It realy needed it. It's not rocket science, and is much easier than any forum would lead you to believe. I did it in about four minutes istting at my desk (my day job.) I used a piece of kleenex tissue paper, a piece of tape, and a piece of cardboard (plus the Eclipse cleaning fluid.) Very fast, and very easy. email me if you want greater instructions.

Yours,

Clint

[Mr. Pickles]

It is fairly easy, but you have to be careful. Not many would try it with tissue paper, as it may "shed", but you never know.

Some use a "copperhill method", which you can google. Or look here:
Copper Hill Images - CCD/CMOS Cleaning Tutorial - #1 A Close Look

I have an Olympus DSLR, and it cleans itself, and does it better than anything, imo.

[badpickev]

mt local shop charges $65 to clean it right. i do a pretty good job for free

[KABeach]

I'll second the Copper Hill - relatively easy, fast, and inexpensive...

Certainly some common sense and an easy hand are required, but it really isn't terribly difficult to clean your sensor...

Cheers,
Ken

[KellyL]

Great link. Thanks for posting it.

[DigitalPhotography]

I use the Sensor Brush by VisibleDust. It's pricy, but works great!