Filthy sensor got a bath.

[Sonny]

Sorta.

So here's my story. Since I shoot sports I usually shoot wide open aperture. That makes it somewhat difficult to see all of the dirt on the sensor. I'm also shooting in some pretty bad environments. I do my best to clean the sensor using the Copperhill Method.

Anyways, moving on to last week. For the first time I had a chance to shoot a sunset. So I started out at trusty f16. Snap off a few pics, run inside, upload the pics to my laptop, open the RAW files using Bridge, and DAYUM! The dust fairy went to town on my sensor blasting it with a shotgun shell full of dust bunnies. *shameless plug* ---> see my sunset pics.

A while back I remember Abel talking about a company he used to clean the sensor on a 20d he was selling, Professional Camera Repair. I emailed PCR, received a quote, and dropped off my body. The results are below! Amazing work!! And only $65 bucks for a crop body!!! I believe the cost is $85 for full frame cameras.

I want to send a big ole Texas thank you to Yasir M. Hakim over at PCR. My lovely wife will be there this afternoon to pick up the camera.


before


after

[Roy]

f22 looks very clean to me! I still think you could of done it yourself with Copperhill.

[toverman]

Nice!

I don't think I've shot narrower than f/8 in about a year. I'm kind of afraid to now!

[Sonny]

Originally Posted by Roy

f22 looks very clean to me! I still think you could of done it yourself with Copperhill.

I've tried Roy, but I could never get every single speck of dust off the sensor. Plus I didn't want to take the chance of over cleaning it and possibly damaging the sensor.

[lhdvies]

Now that is clean. I'm fixing to have them give my 1d2n a complete "makeover".

[my3peas]

yaaay!! I need to take mine in too :) I've heard great things about this place :)

[Sonny]

Originally Posted by lhdvies

Now that is clean. I'm fixing to have them give my 1d2n a complete "makeover".

I did the same thing. That'll run ya $110.00 + tax.

[Sonny]

Originally Posted by my3peas

yaaay!! I need to take mine in too :) I've heard great things about this place :)

His turn around time is good. If he's not busy it will take 2-3 hours. But if he's busy then it could take up to two days.

My camera almost looks brand new. She's so purty!

[andyz]

And the first time you take it out, the wind will blow as soon as you reach over to change the lens. :) I remember when I used to change my own oil. The car would go up on the ramp, I'd climb under, as soon as I unscrewed the oil plug the wind would blow my way. I ruined many T-shirts. This is the same wind that comes around when your grill starts smoking.

[Abel]

Disclaimer Sorta (hehe): PCR is now a sponsor here on TPF now but my thoughts about their work and my recommendations to other photographers occurred prior to them signing on..

I took my Canon 1d MKIIN in to PCR back in March in order to get the sensor cleaned as well as the entire body since i was prepping it to list it for sale here on TPF.

they did a great job on all 3 camera bodies i took in...

images of the outside cleaning work here:
http://www.houstonphotog.com/temp/canon1d/
http://www.texasphotoforum.com/forum...ad.php?t=41033

all of the button areas were cleaned of dust and dirt that had accumulated over time... nice work indeed. the sensor was spotless!

[Abel]

I may be dropping off my MKIII to Yasir this friday for a little cleaning...

[Abel]

dropped my 1dmkIII off at 12 noon yesterday and had it ready to be picked up in a few hours... thanks Yasir!

before



after



I definitely need to get it in there routinely for a good cleaning..

[Angelo]

Thanks all for this thread. Been at it trying to clean the sensor on my 1DsMkII and I seem to make it worse than better.
I need the camera back this week since I leave next weekend to Yellowstone.

[Angelo]

Took my camera in at 1pm and picked up around 4pm. Great service...
Even showed me the before and after.
Interesting how some things, like deep down grime, he cannot remove and recommends you send it in the the manufacturer.

How does this grime get into the sensor?
Do we push it into the crevices when we try to clean the sensor ourselves?

[AndrewCCM]

I have been super lucky. My MK3 hasn't needed one cleaning and I have had it over a year. Wait...Scratch that... It's been back to Canon a couple of times and they cleaned it as part of the "repairs".

However, I have a big shoot coming up Sunday that I'll be shooting with my 5D. It'll be 16 people in a group photo high key. I am a little concerned about my 5D. I know it's dirty...I have cleaned it many times myself and get it decently clean, but never perfect. Wish there was a place with a stellar rep here in the D/FW area for such a job.