Cleaning your DSLR Sensor

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Howdy folks! We get a lot of questions here at SOPHA, and high on the list is how to clean your camera. In this video, Bud will show you how to clean your camera, and specifically, the methods he uses to clean DSLR sensors. Yes, this is service we have here at SOPHA – we clean cameras and sensors. But folks asked for a video, so here it is. If you have ideas for more videos, send us a line. You can find out more about SOPHA at theSOPHA.com.
Video Rating: 4 / 5

Comments

16 responses to “Cleaning your DSLR Sensor”

  1. photojoe66able Avatar
    photojoe66able

    I have just used your video to clean my Sony Alpha 550. I had a very dirty sensor and now it looks pretty good…I will be out this weekend using my camera and let you know the results…Hopefully thanks…
    Photojoe544

  2. thomastrololo1 Avatar
    thomastrololo1

    Thanks. This was very thorough and kinda to the point. How much is a normal cleaning kit going to set me back? Can I use the same method to clean my translucent mirror in my sony alpha cam?

  3. thesophallc Avatar
    thesophallc

    I’m just seeing this. We usually only clean cameras that are dropped off here. If you are local – it is that easy. We haven’t cleaned cameras that are mailed in, and I suppose you could. Call if this interests you – but by the time we are done shipping, I bet it would be the same price as sending it back to Nikon…

  4. thesophallc Avatar
    thesophallc

    I have not cleaned an 800e. I just haven’et had one come through yet – most likely because the cameras are rare. I am not aware of any problems with the D800e pertaining to cleaning. I would be dumbfounded if Nikon didn’t put a cover glass on the sensor in lieu of the AA filter…. but I don’t know that to be fact. It is easy enough to look – if you have clean a gagillion sensors you know what that glass looks like… So, my reply is probably not that helpful…

  5. MrYankosG Avatar
    MrYankosG

    Bud,
    Thank you for your video. Do you think I can do this to my Nikon D800E? I have all the necessary equipment -as described- and more, but I am still hesitant… Do you have any experience with a D800E? (I know that D800E has no antialising filter but I am sure that the actual sensor is not exposed but covered with some kind of glass…)

  6. bleyland629 Avatar
    bleyland629

    HA I love the speed up time of the air pump 😛 Awesome 😀

  7. chechiye Avatar
    chechiye

    Hi i got a nikon d40 and i stopped using it and it collected a lot of dust, how can i send it to you for a cleaning? and how much would it be?

  8. moom1000 Avatar
    moom1000

    the mirror has a thin layer of reflective material damped on it, which i once managed to partially remove by trying to clean it. luckily it was an inexpensive old camera. i would never touch the mirror in a recent dslr unless there was the need to remove a fingerprint or something similarly nasty.

  9. Steven Brener Avatar
    Steven Brener

    Very thorough

  10. leeannshawn91405 Avatar
    leeannshawn91405

    I have a Canon T3i also known as a 600D. I have a bug on my focusing screen. Can you tell what I need and how to remove it myself? Thank you for your time.

  11. RonanKai Avatar
    RonanKai

    The “speck grabber” strikes again. It made a mess of smudges on my sensor.

  12. Anders Haaber Avatar
    Anders Haaber

    Thank you! Lovely that somebody would show me to do it properly.

  13. EnochChris Avatar
    EnochChris

    Back when I got my D300, I read to not use the “Wet” method used on CCD sensors on the CMOS sensors. I believe it said it would damage the CMOS. Any thoughts on this?

  14. Jayvo86 Avatar
    Jayvo86

    I purchased a sensor stamp over here in Japan. It’s been ok for “light duty.” However, I bought a used 5D that seem like it had NEVER had the sensor cleaned. All the stamp did was smear and speck dust everywhere. Needless to say, I went wet immediately after. I think the stamp would be ok for light use and just specs. The instructions say your supposed to wash the tips with soap and water too. I was just curious on your experience. Thanks!

  15. thesophallc Avatar
    thesophallc

    I have seen them, but not used them. I have heard mixed results. I did have experience with the “speck grabber” which was a little stick with a little dab of plastic on the end that was supposed to let you grab the dust one speck at a time… it was a miserable failure and was what made me learn the wet method -I had to clean up after the “speck grabber.”

  16. Jayvo86 Avatar
    Jayvo86

    Can you comment on the use of sensor stamps?