Need to clean sensor

[dandcp]

I have a 30d and live in Los Angeles.
I just noticed that I have some dust on my sensor and I have to help a friend next Friday photo her wedding.

I have never had my sensor cleaned and am nervous to try to do it myself. Does anyone know where I can get it cleaned in the Los Angeles area? And quickly? with out shipping it away, and hopefully not too expensive?

Thanks

[24Peter]

Dan - you can try Samy's Camera, Bel Air Camera, or Calumet. If you're in the Valley, I'd go to Canoga Camera. All local and all should do it while you wait.

If you haven't already, you may want to try blowing it first yourself; often that's enough to dislodge the crud. If you want to stop by my place I can try to help... PM me.

[nqjudo]

You could give cleaning it yourself a go if you wanted.


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

[dandcp]

Dan - you can try Samy's Camera, Bel Air Camera, or Calumet. If you're in the Valley, I'd go to Canoga Camera. All local and all should do it while you wait.

If you haven't already, you may want to try blowing it first yourself; often that's enough to dislodge the crud. If you want to stop by my place I can try to help... PM me.
Thanks Peter.

I will check those out. Any idea how much they will charge me for cleaning the sensor? I have tried blowing it and think I made it worse. : (

[TheWengler]

Thanks Peter.

I will check those out. Any idea how much they will charge me for cleaning the sensor? I have tried blowing it and think I made it worse. : (

Hopefully you weren't blowing with your mouth. That's a no no. Giottos Rocket Air Blowers work nicely.

[nqjudo]

You can blow all you want but if it is bonded particles like pollen you'll never get them off. In that case your choices are to send it out to get cleaned or clean it yourself. Sending it out can take time and there is no guarantee that the week after you get it back it won't be full of garbage again. Doing it yourself is easy, cost effective and more importantly the surest way to keep your camera in your hand rather than some repair shop's.

[dandcp]

Dan - you can try Samy's Camera, Bel Air Camera, or Calumet. If you're in the Valley, I'd go to Canoga Camera. All local and all should do it while you wait.

If you haven't already, you may want to try blowing it first yourself; often that's enough to dislodge the crud. If you want to stop by my place I can try to help... PM me.

Thanks again Peter.

I ended up going to Bel Air Camera today and Melvin at the repair desk was great! Yes, he cleaned it while I waited there. I guess it was pretty mucked up as he said it was quite dirty and took 2 swabs to get it clean plus a lot of air. Cleaning ended up costing about $20. $9.59 for "labor" and $5 for each swab. I also bought a Rocket air blower from them. ($12.95) So now I am good to go!

For anyone else who is interested. I called Samy's and Calumet. They were charging $20 (drop off and p/u in 2 hrs) or $60 and pick up in 2 days. Bel Air was the best deal for me and Melvin was very helpful!

I am still nervous about trying to swab the sensor myself, maybe someday.

Thank you!

[adam75south]

i have yet to clean my sensor with anything other than air. i have one of those rocket air blower thingys and it works great. just set the sensor cleaning on, turn the camera upside down and point the air blower up at it and start squeezing away. DO NOT use compressed air though.

[dandcp]

i have yet to clean my sensor with anything other than air. i have one of those rocket air blower thingys and it works great. just set the sensor cleaning on, turn the camera upside down and point the air blower up at it and start squeezing away. DO NOT use compressed air though.

Yes, I bought one of those rocket blowers too and from now on I will just use air. I obviously gunked up my sensor in the past with my other methods. So now starting fresh again.

Hope I can keep this thing clean now. :)