Best way to clean D40 sensor?

[photography555]

I got the Nikon d40 about 6 months ago. It's an amazing camera. However, I have noticed dust in the photos recently, and if I take off the lens, I can see dust on the mirror and sensor.
What is the best way to get this off, other than taking it to a shop?
I saw something called a Giottos Rocket Blower that is supposed to blow the dust off-anybody have any experience with it?

Thanks in advance.

[SpecialK]

I got the Nikon d40 about 6 months ago. It's an amazing camera. However, I have noticed dust in the photos recently, and if I take off the lens, I can see dust on the mirror and sensor.
What is the best way to get this off, other than taking it to a shop?
I saw something called a Giottos Rocket Blower that is supposed to blow the dust off-anybody have any experience with it?

Thanks in advance.

That blower works well.

[K1W1]

+1 on the Blower. The Giottos are well known and reliable but really you can use anything that does the same function, I have used small plastic bottles with thin nozzle fittings in the past. Do not use compressed air from a can because it contains oil.
Your owners manual tells you what to do to blow dust off the sensor. The dust on the mirror has no affect on picture quality other than it might move from the mirror to the sensor.

[photography555]

I just found out I have dust on the mirror too. I tried the Giottos, didn't work.

[K1W1]

I just found out I have dust on the mirror too. I tried the Giottos, didn't work.


What do you mean by the mirror?
Do you mean the mirror that you see when you take the lens of and look into the body? If that is the case then any dust there has no affect on your images and you should be able to wipe dust or marks off that mirror using a suitable mirco cloth.
If you mean somewhere else please be more specific.

[photography555]

that mirror is what I'm referring to- I know it doesn't affect picture quality, but it does bug me while I'm framing the shot.
Are you sure that using a cloth to clean it would be allright? I had heard thatit would scratch it.
Thanks for your help, btw.

[K1W1]

Well if the blower will not move what is on the mirror it is not dust but something that is stuck on.
The mirror is a mirror, the same as the type you look in to brush your hair and careful cleaning with a micro cloth or similar product should not harm it. The mirror is not the sensor which is behind the mirror and is only exposed when the mirror is up. Do not touch the sensor with anything unless you know and understand exactly what you are doing.
Just to further clarify.
When you look into the camera with the lens removed you can see the "thing" on the mirror? If you can you are in the correct area.
If you see the "thing" when looking in your viewfinder but you can't see it on the mirror then it's not on the mirror at all but up in the eye prism of the camera. If that is where the "thing" is try this. Take the lens off the camera. Leave the mirror in the down position. Get your blower and blow a jet of air up into the camera at the top of the mirror where the hinge is. This forces the air into the prism area and will often dislodge any dust in the viewfinder prism. If that does not work it's camera into shop for disassembly and clean time.

[fionndruinne]

Thanks for that blow tip K1W1. I've had some dust in the prism for quite a while, it is irritating but I can live with it over paying to have it cleaned.

[jcon]

If you still have dust or gunk on your mirror and or sensor, use SensorSwabs. I dont fuss with a blower, SensorSwabs work 100% of the time and are 100% safe.

[Rooz]

if you leave dust on the sensor, (ie: never clean it), does it damage the sensor in the long term ?

[K1W1]

There is always dust and dirt on every sensor. Cameras are not sealed and they are never opened in a clean environment when lenses are changed.
The question is really superfluous because even when you think it's clean it's not so there is nothing you can do about it.
As long as your photos are not being affected why worry? When was the last time you had a DSLR until it literally wore out?

[photography555]

I looked up the sensor swabs-found a kit that includes the type 2 swabs (which will work with D40), pec-pads, 1 e-wipe packet, and Eclipse. However, the company that makes all this says you can't use regular Eclipse with the D40, that it requires E2.
So far, this (http://cgi.ebay.com/Photosol-Digital-Survival-Kit-Type-2-with-E2_W0QQitemZ120304004227QQihZ002QQcategoryZ15215QQ ssPageNameZWD1VQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1638 Q2em118Q2el1247) is all I could find that included the correct size swab AND the correct fluid.