Digital Advent Calendar 2010 - Day 19

Sensor Cleaning

Today’s tip is a follow up to my entry on Day 8.

If you own a Digital SLR and end up with dark spots on your photographs then it’s more than likely that your sensor needs cleaning (see figure 1).  You have two options:

1. Get your local camera store to clean it for you

2. Do It Yourself

Figure 1 - Before and After Sensor Cleaning

If you are going to undertake the cleaning yourself you’ll need specialist equipment to undertake this.  DO NOT clean your digital camera sensor unless you have the correct cleaning equipment and are confident in what you’re doing.  A damaged sensor will be extremely expensive to replace.

I’ve seen a few different sensor cleaning systems but the one I recommend is the Delkin Sensorscope System.

To see a brief demonstration on how to clean your digital with the Delkin Sensorscope System please watch the video below.

The Delkin Sensorscope System is available to purchase here.  If you know someone who owns a Digital SLR and you’re stuck for Christmas gift ideas you may wish to consider this product.

BONUS TIP 1

I think it’s important to differentiate between dust in and around your camera’s viewfinder compared to actually having a dirty sensor.  My test is to take a photo of a blank piece of white A4 paper and then look at the image on your computer monitor.  If you look around the image and see any black spots then that is sensor dust.  If you see no black spots then you have nothing to worry about.

BONUS TIP 2

To access the sensor on your Digital SLR then you need to use the ‘Mirror Lock Up’ facility on your camera.  If this function is shaded and cannot be accessed the chances are your camera battery is not fully charged.  You can only use the ‘Mirror Lock Up’ facility if your battery is at 100 per cent.

-Ben