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PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS AND TECHNIQUES
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Photo "Quick Tip" #19:
DUSTY IMAGE SENSOR CHIP? 8 Important Ways to KEEP THE SENSOR CHIP DUST-FREE
DUSTY IMAGE SENSOR CHIP? 8 Important Ways to KEEP THE SENSOR CHIP DUST-FREE
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Article by Stephen Kristof FreePhotoCourse.com Staff Writer/Photographer all rights reserved If you own a DSLR camera with interchangeable lenses, eventually, you may notice translucent blotches on your photos even though your lens is clean. Well, there's a 99% chance that you have microscopic dust stuck to your CMOS image sensor chip. First overall tip is to avoid getting dust on the sensor. If you already have dust on the sensor, you are a novice or casual photographer and you haven't ever ventured into the realm of sensor cleaning, we would recommend that you leave it to a professional. Most camera and photography specialty stores offer this service and some can turn it around within a few hours. Most camera manufacturers will not cover sensor dust in the warranty because it is almost always caused by the user and not by a faulty part. The good thing is that the sensor chip can be cleaned locally without having to send it to the manufacturer. The bad thing is that you can expect to pay anywhere from $60 and up-up-up to have it done. |
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Without proper training, demonstrations or research, one could very easily scratch or otherwise ruin the CMOS chip. Having the chip replaced will generally set you back $400-800, so, depending on the cost and age of the camera, it may be economically unfeasible to do. It would seem that the fee for a professional cleaning could prove far less costly! Now, it's true that a lot of photographers and photo enthusiasts try cleaning the sensor themselves and do so with success, but there are many others who have had terrible outcomes (we don't hear much about them...so embarassing!!). Another thing to consider is that a trained professional will use a special microscope in the process, which most laypeople do not possess.
Now, if you have just had your image sensor cleaned or have manged to avoid dust and have a clean sensor to start with, we have compiled some easy to follow, essential tips to KEEP THE SENSOR CLEAN!
Removing a lens creates suction, so any dust on the camera or
in your environment can be quickly sucked into the body of your camera.
From there it's just a matter of time before it will find its way onto your CMOS.
The next time you go from a cold and dry environment to a warm, humid one
(or vice-versa), the condensation inside your camera may act like a magnet,
drawing that bit of dust onto the chip.
HERE'S HOW TO KEEP THE CHIP CLEAN!
- Try to change your lenses INDOORS if at all possible.
- If you are doing an outdoor shoot and must change lenses, try to get to a vehicle, restroom or other protected spot to do it.
- Be quick with the process. NEVER leave a camera uncapped or without a lens for ANY period of time beyond a few seconds. Have the new lens ready to roll and get it in place as soon as the previous lens is removed.
- Don't put the rear lens cap on the first lens before you mount the next lens. Do the rear cap thing AFTER you've replaced the lens.
- Always spray off the front of your camera and lens with a rocket blower or can of compressed air before changing lenses. Wait a minute or two after doing this to avoid any unwanted movement of air and particles. (Warning: Never use compressed air to clean a sensor chip because it can deposit oil onto the chip.)
- IF you MUST change your lens outside and can't get to a protected location, then try to do it in a large clean plastic bag. (Maybe not a camera bag, because they can be dusty from the fabric they are made from.)
- If your camera condenses because you have gone from a cold air conditioned room to a warm humid environment (or from the cold, dry wintry outside to a warm, humid inside location), then wait until all condensation dries before you change lenses.
- If your DSLR has an automatic sensor cleaning option, turn it on and choose the cleaning to occur at every camera power-up and power-down. Although this won't solve or clean serious dust problems on the chip, this feature can prevent the odd particle from hunkering-down on your chip.
Following these steps will help avoid the inconvenience and cost of having a sensor chip cleaned.
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