Thanks to Jenifer for her link to The Copper Hill sensor cleaning kit (ordered). I have cleaned my senor. I read the info 3 times. I had to be alone. But I followed the instructions. I went from 27 dust spots to one. I'm taking a breather and will get it perfect but need to rest it took 3 tries or was it 4 maybe 5. This was so easy I fell silly mentioning it but maybe it will help others. I'm tired of spending hours on photo shop. Just do it, it really works. By the way Im not an expert or a proffesional, just a wacko who loves to take pictures.
Fran

Glad I could help! I was scared to death doing my first cleaning, also, but once I saw how easy it was the fear quickly vanished. It pays to follow directions!

I cleaned my sensor for the first time, too, partly because of what Jen said. I think I just had 3 large specs before cleaning. I don't see any now. I also bought a rocket blower and blew off the specs before cleaning.

It will probably take a while before I'm comfortable doing this! My goal is still to minimize the dust that gets on the sensor.

Have you ever taken eclipse on a plane.

Are there any warnings on Eclipse? B & H photo won't sell it on-line.

Can't take Eclipse on a plane because it's a flammable product. B&H probably won't sell it due to shipping issues. Some online stores will sell it but ship ground only due to the flammability issue. I can get it at my local pro photo store; check one in your area.

Can you expand on this Tammy? I've never heard of this product.
thanks,
Bob

What's a sensor?

Sandy

I need to add to questions posted by Bob and Sandy,

What's an Eclipse?

bobo

Sandy,
A sensor is what captures the image in a digital camera in place of film. Digital Point & Shoot cameras have sealed sensors so they rarely need cleaning.

Bob,

Its called Eclipse cleaning fluid. Its used to clean sensors. Highly flammable, evaporates very quickly without leaving any residue or streaking.

rscroope,
A Rocket Blower (I have one too) is a large rocket shaped bulb used for blowing dust off sensors. Its safer that using canned air. Canned air usually has too much pressure and can possibly spray chemical propellents on to your sensor.

That reminds me, I need to clean my sensor before the NJLHC.

Joe,

Thanks from all three of us for your answers to our questions. Terms that are commonly used by some folks are not familiar to many others.

Sort of like: "Define IS" ?

bobo

Thanks Joe. I guess I kinda have one (it's more round than rockety) and never knew what it was called. lol
Bob

I've heard them called CCD - Charge Couple Device

Define CCD

I ordered my Eclipse from Adorama. I did find another company that had the individual products cheaper than the kits. But I didn't bookmark the page. Other companies ship this product ground. It seems strange that B & H will only sell it at the store...

The rocket blower works great, too. It's much better than the cheap one that came with a cleaning kit that I got several years ago.

Thanks for the answers. Never ceases to amaze (and amuse) me that when the student is ready, the teacher appears!!

Sandy

Fran,
How did you know you had 27 dust spots?
Bob

For all, if you want to see how dirt your sensor REALLY is, then try this:

Set your camera to Aperture Mode (or Aperture Priority) and set the f-stop to the highest number 22-32 (smallest opening). Then go outside and shoot the sky. Shoot a section that filles the frame with bright blue, no clouds. Now download the image to your PC and take a look. Any black, brown, or grey blob is dust.

If you are going to clean your sensor using this image as a map, keep in mind the image is inverted from your sensor (right is left, up is down). Clean away. Repeat as necessary. Be careful.

I believe my Olympus Evolt 300 automatically cleans the sensor everytime you turn it on. Some millisecond vibrating doo-hickey does the trick.

Bob

Bob,

Your reference to "doo-hickey" made me laugh ou loud. I haven't heard that term in a long time. I have used it many times -- usually when I didn't know what I was talking about. Thank You.

bobo

I did what Joe said and I took my first picture then I tried my first cleaning. I went outside and took another picture. It was half gone(dust) changed the pad and cleaned again. Took another picture even better but still had dust. I repeated I think 4 or 5 times changing the pad every time. NO MORE DUST. I was so scared and so proud.
Fran