Sensor cleaning in Devon

pitkin2020

pitkin2020

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Not sure if this in the correct forum or not, if not please could a mod move it to the correct forum. Thanks

Well basically my D40 is in need of a serious sensor clean its dust spots galore. A tog friend recommended a lenspen to clean it but all that has done is made it ten times worse, swapping dust spots for now what looks like fluff. I have managed to blow a fair bit of it out using a blower from jessops but its still fairly bad.
Can anyone recommend a shop in North devon or close as possible that can offer the service at a sensible price. I also don't mind sending the camera off to a reputable company if thats possible.

Parkcameras.com offer a clean for £30 but not sure if they will accept a delivery or if I actually have to drop it in.

Any advice much appreciated.:thumbs:
 
I think the London Camera Exchange do a cleaning service which a few years ago cost me approx £30 at the Plymouth branch.

The nearest branch to you I guess would be Exeter or maybe's Taunton.

Give them a shout.
 
A blower and Lenspen work quite well for me, but stubborn dust is probably going to need a wet clean. You can do this yourself. It's simple enough, and there's no risk of damaging anything if you're careful. Buy some sensor cleaning fluid and swabs and check the threads on these forums for the DIY procedure, or do an internet search. Maybe another member in your area could show you/talk you through it the first time?
 
Lopseychops said:
I think the London Camera Exchange do a cleaning service which a few years ago cost me approx £30 at the Plymouth branch.

The nearest branch to you I guess would be Exeter or maybe's Taunton.

Give them a shout.
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Thanks, i did look on there website but couldn't find anything related to sensor cleaning so maybe worth giving them a ring.

MartynK said:
A blower and Lenspen work quite well for me, but stubborn dust is probably going to need a wet clean. You can do this yourself. It's simple enough, and there's no risk of damaging anything if you're careful. Buy some sensor cleaning fluid and swabs and check the threads on these forums for the DIY procedure, or do an internet search. Maybe another member in your area could show you/talk you through it the first time?
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TBH the lenspen just made it so much worse for me, it left lots of the little fibres behind. The original dust spots where removed though. I have though more about trying a wet clean myself and would really like to see someone do it first hand really so I can see an idea of how much is involved. The other reason I would like to learn it is I dont want to reliant on the shop or payout everytime I need to get a few flecks removed if I could do it myself.
 
pitkin2020 said:
The original dust spots where removed though. I have though more about trying a wet clean myself and would really like to see someone do it first hand really so I can see an idea of how much is involved. The other reason I would like to learn it is I dont want to reliant on the shop or payout everytime I need to get a few flecks removed if I could do it myself.
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Here is a useful tutorial LINK, it is not difficult.
 
Have you asked in J&A cameras, not sure if they do it but worth a call
 
Ohhhh.... I was scared to death to attempt cleaning my camera sensor - but I got a cleaner kit with Eclipse fluid and the swabs.... the sensor had NEVER been cleaned <holds head in shame> and was awful - I didn't have just a few dots - on f22 it was all dust and hairs and cak - but the swabs cleaned it up a treat. REALLY - give it a try first if you can (be courageous!!!!) - it made such a massive difference that I feel so DOH for having never done it before. :bonk:

I ordered a kit off the internet and had it within 48 hours and have enough left over to do another 3 swabs.

Can find the link if you want it.

I looked through youtube videos of "how to clean ........make of camera...... sensor - and it was easy. Wouldn't hesitate to do it again.


Good luck.


If you do decide to go to a shop - the people in the Devon Camera Centre were so lovely when I went and bought a camera there the other day. Very helpful folk in Exeter. Mebbe give them a call and ask for some assistance.
 
Let us know how you fare, Richard, I'm wanting to get mine cleaned before the summer.
 
I have used the "sensor wand" with good results.
You use it with a "pec pad" and "eclipse" fluid to "wet" clean the sensor.
I got mine from Micro Tools Europe, but I notice that Devon Camera Centre do a kit with these same components, but with 25 pec pads instead of 100. They also sell the parts separately, apart from the sensor wand, which I think you can only get separately from micro tools europe.
 
Martyn... said:
Here is a useful tutorial LINK, it is not difficult.
Click to expand...
Cheers I had already seen that one but had somehow lost the link, so thanks again.

RKC said:
Have you asked in J&A cameras, not sure if they do it but worth a call
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I have but at £70 a clean im not too keen, if it was a 3k camera I wouldn't quibble but 3 cleans a year I may aswell buy the camera off ebay once a year lol

RKC said:
I have used this system before, quite painless really as i did not fancy wet system and running the risk if more damage

http://www.cameraclean.co.uk/products.php?cat=Sensor+Cleaning+Tools+-+Dry
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TBH after my attempt with the lenspen which is a dry system i'm not too keen on trying it again lol, I do think a wet clean is going to be the best approach.

Azure said:
Ohhhh.... I was scared to death to attempt cleaning my camera sensor - but I got a cleaner kit with Eclipse fluid and the swabs.... the sensor had NEVER been cleaned <holds head in shame> and was awful - I didn't have just a few dots - on f22 it was all dust and hairs and cak - but the swabs cleaned it up a treat. REALLY - give it a try first if you can (be courageous!!!!) - it made such a massive difference that I feel so DOH for having never done it before. :bonk:

I ordered a kit off the internet and had it within 48 hours and have enough left over to do another 3 swabs.

Can find the link if you want it.

I looked through youtube videos of "how to clean ........make of camera...... sensor - and it was easy. Wouldn't hesitate to do it again.


Good luck.


If you do decide to go to a shop - the people in the Devon Camera Centre were so lovely when I went and bought a camera there the other day. Very helpful folk in Exeter. Mebbe give them a call and ask for some assistance.
Click to expand...

If you have a link to the kit you bought that would be great, i have seen so many kits now i'm not sure which is good or bad. I am wanting to learn it and I'm guessing as long as I am gentle and don't go mad on it a shop clean maybe an option if I can't achieve the desired results.

VirtualAdept said:
Let us know how you fare, Richard, I'm wanting to get mine cleaned before the summer.
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There only appears to be J&A in north devon that offer the service, not sure about jessops. J&A do it in house but they want £70, which TBH compared with several companies I have seen online inc some in south Devon its more than double the price. It maybe worth getting a trip out for the day down south and take it to someone like misfuds or devon camera centre.
I think i'm going to have a crack at wet cleaning anyway as I dont want to be reliant on the shop doing this. I do go to a LOT of dusty environments so I can see this being a regular problem lol.
 
Hey there - this was the company I went to:

http://www.cameraclean.co.uk/index.php

(mods - if I'm not allowed to put that link there, please let me know) :shrug:

which was recommended to me by another TP-er.

I rang the guy up first to ensure I was getting the right size swab for the camera - his name is Peter - and he was most helpful as I hadn't a clue what I was asking for!

You need to ensure you get the right size for the sensor.

It really did work and was far cheaper than taking the camera to the shop. Do take a look on youtube too to see the step by step of how to clean the sensor for your particular make of camera - there are loads of tutorials out there but always check more than one to make sure that folk are showing you the same process.

Good luck - let us know how you get on :D
 
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