One of the main draw backs of using a Digital SLR is the appearance of dust on the CCD sensor. Traditionally an SLR would create an image by the shutter opening and light “burning” the image directly onto the film, digital SLRS transfer this light onto the CCD. If you change your lens regularly it is only a matter of time until dust specs will settle on the CCD and you will notice impurities in your images. This is one that I had a couple of weeks ago.
Unfortunately unless you own a Olympus DSLR (Olympus DSLRS electrically charge the CDD to shake off dust) this is something that you will have to get used to. You may not even notice these imperfections as they don’t show up untill you use small apertures where they are largely visible in blue skies. So what can be done about this?
The Photoshop route
At a basic level you can simply clone or heal your pictures within your photo editing software. Initially this can be done very quickly, however over time this can be very annoying.
Use a blower
The preferred method would be to use a “blower” to blast dust off the CCD. To do this you will need to remove the lens and “lock up” your lens, make sure you have a full battery or even better have the camera plugged into a charger as you could damege the shutter. Once locked up simply use a blower to get rid of dust on the CCD, ensure you do this with the camera pointing towards the floor or you may attract even more dust. Use a good blower that only blows clean air or you will simply spray particles on the CCD, on no account use your own breath to blow on the CCD or you will end up with a very soggy CCD!!! This is the method I have used and it has worked for me. I use Giotto Rocket Blower, it has a filtration system so only “clean” air is pumped out.
Swabs
Finally you could use CCD swabs to clean the CCD, this is hardcore! I haven’t and wouldn’t use this option, but many swear by this method and clean religously.
As they say prevention is better than a cure. When changing lenses, do so with the camera body pointing down in a dry environment.
11 Comments
I haven’t dared clean mine yet. Most worrying I have dust in one of my lenses somehow and I cant see how to get it out! I guess that is a job for a pro .. Doesn’t look like the dust appears in pics but I can’t say I have tested it
I use the SensorSwipe and they work like a charm. Remember, you are not actually touching the sensor when you clean it. You are cleaning the clear material above it. I believe it’s usually a type of quartz, which is relatively hard.
oooh – this is tricky and must always be approached with great care.
While the blower might sound a good option I’d actually warn against it personally as blowers can actually make it worse unless you’re absolutely certain they are clean. Imagine what a blower that actually has dust inside of it can do to a sensor! I’ve seen one person try to get one piece out and end up with 20 or 30 specs instead of one.
Swabs can be dangerous too unless you know what you’re doing.
No easy answer – but most people I know wait and periodically take their cameras in for a pro clean. Costs a bit but there is no danger of damaging anything.
I don’t know of any pro cleaning places locally, I would have to send it away. The thought of my DSLR being away for a long time … *shudder* ;O)
I guess it is better than having it ruined though!
He who dares, he who dares!
The giotto blower above was designed specifically for DSLRS and has a filter in it so that it blows clean air into the chamber.
Nikon and Canon will service the camera, but it will take a couple of weeks to sort.
Damn, i’ve just done a bit order from warehouse express, and the delievery is a killer.
Is it small?
if it is it might come via royal mail and be less hassle.
I did try the blowing, got away with it, but it way a worry for a moment.
no lasting marks from that from what i can seem, though it didn’t clear of all the other marks.
Just ordered one.
.
Hopefully i’ll be able to get rid of that damned mark before i got on holiday
i like ware house express, though its organisation is a little off sometimes.
this was hidden away under tripods, i wouldn’t have found it if i didn’t know it was there.
thanks mark
Where did you get you Rocket blower from?
I’ve got a faint dusting on my ccd.
I did try the blowing method at first, and freaked out when it misted up.
fortunatly it disperesed. There is still a little bit of the dust left though.
Do it give a strong blow?
I think Mark got his from ebay. I wouldnt blow on it, you risk getting moisture in there.
Amazon sells them
i was hoping for something more local.
I got mine from wharehouse express on the internet. Whatever you do, dont blow on your sensor, you will simply blow loads of micro spit onto it! I can vouch for the giotto, it has a filtration system on it, has cleaned mine three or four times and also does a good job of cleaning dust from the mirror.
Many people say sensor swabs are the onlyway forward, but the giotto has sorted mine every time.
It is quite a bit blower and does give out quite a puff (oeer), enough to frighten a 4 month old baby (or so I have been told…..)