Sensor cleaning

[stevage]

Hi all,
My Pentax K10D has a dirty sensor or mirror, as evidenced by a dirty spot that appears in the same place on virtually every photo, regardless of lens. Is it possible to clean this myself? I went to a camera shop, and the (totally unbiased and objective!) assistant warned me at length against the terrible dangers of self repair, and instead suggested he clean it for me for some exorbitant price (like $150).

I've seen cleaning kits on eBay - are these ok, should I get something more specialised? What can go wrong?

All advice gratefully appreciated.

Steve

[TheWengler]

If you see it in your pictures then it's on your sensor. The first thing I would try is a rocket blower. That way you don't have to touch the sensor. If that doesn't work then you can find a contact method. I've seen several tutorials on this online, so it shouldn't be hard to find.

[tim11]

There are some useful links in here:
http://www.dcresource.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31057&highlight=sensor

[T06]

I would seriously stay away from that shop, he's an arsehole of the rip-off variety, then again he probably thinks it has to go to the factory so they can get the garden hose onto it.

[BLWNHR]

I had a bit of crud on my K10D sensor and just used a blower bulb and it's all gone. :)

[nqjudo]

You may appreciate this link:

http://www.cleaningdigitalcameras.com/methods.html

There is also a new product not mentioned in this article. I recently had a chance to use it and I was quite amazed.

http://www.sensor-film.com/

[TheWengler]

nqjudo, that's pretty cool.

[Fiasco]

I use sensor swabs to clean my D80 sensor when dust occurs.

[T06]

You may appreciate this link:

http://www.cleaningdigitalcameras.com/methods.html

There is also a new product not mentioned in this article. I recently had a chance to use it and I was quite amazed.

http://www.sensor-film.com/

Great product mate.