Had My Sensor 'Cleaned' - Need Advice
Discussion
Yesterday, for the first time, I took my camera to the most local place which offered sensor cleaning. I won't mention any names, but they're a well known high street store and a reputable firm, and charged £30 for the service.
Today I took a few photos and have noticed that there's a huge build up of dust towards the bottom of the frame, and more worryingly, a build up of residue towards the left hand side (as well as quite a few dust spots randomly placed throughout).
Here's a link which needs to be viewed at 100% (warning: 2mb file): http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3271/2741806279_c0c...
I'm obviously going to have to return to have the sensor cleaned again, but given that it's a 50 mile round journey, should I ask for them to clean it and give a full refund? And, would you guys be trusting them to do a proper job?
The camera in question is a 1Ds mk3, so I'm slightly worried that there's a chance there could be an expensive f*&£-up!
Today I took a few photos and have noticed that there's a huge build up of dust towards the bottom of the frame, and more worryingly, a build up of residue towards the left hand side (as well as quite a few dust spots randomly placed throughout).
Here's a link which needs to be viewed at 100% (warning: 2mb file): http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3271/2741806279_c0c...
I'm obviously going to have to return to have the sensor cleaned again, but given that it's a 50 mile round journey, should I ask for them to clean it and give a full refund? And, would you guys be trusting them to do a proper job?
The camera in question is a 1Ds mk3, so I'm slightly worried that there's a chance there could be an expensive f*&£-up!
Given it's a 1dS then i'd not give it to them again. Full frame SLRs are the only thing Fixation won't clean on a same day basis, which says to me that they're rather more tricky to do than Jessops regular customer base. I put my old D30 in with my local XXXXXXXXX and it came back with more dust than it went in with, so just because it's a cmaera shop doesn't mean they actually have any more clue than you or I.
Mod Edit to remove company name to avoid breaching Name and Shame policy.
Edited by agent006 on Thursday 7th August 22:54
Mod Edit to remove company name to avoid breaching Name and Shame policy.
k up, you've paid for a service they have not done.I may ask that they 'clean' it again, and then I'll buy a kit myself.
Sending to Fixation is a pain in the a***. It'd have to be couriered down, and with insurance I'd imagine you're looking at anywhere from £75+. Clean it, £55ish, and then another £75+ to return.
£200+ for a sensor clean seems a little OTT to me...
Sending to Fixation is a pain in the a***. It'd have to be couriered down, and with insurance I'd imagine you're looking at anywhere from £75+. Clean it, £55ish, and then another £75+ to return.
£200+ for a sensor clean seems a little OTT to me...
Andy M said:
I may ask that they 'clean' it again, and then I'll buy a kit myself.
Sending to Fixation is a pain in the a***. It'd have to be couriered down, and with insurance I'd imagine you're looking at anywhere from £75+. Clean it, £55ish, and then another £75+ to return.
£200+ for a sensor clean seems a little OTT to me...
£75 each way!!?? what are you using, pure gold carrier pigeons?Sending to Fixation is a pain in the a***. It'd have to be couriered down, and with insurance I'd imagine you're looking at anywhere from £75+. Clean it, £55ish, and then another £75+ to return.
£200+ for a sensor clean seems a little OTT to me...
Got my first sensor clean done free by Canon themselves. Excellent job and done in 24hrs. Looks like the nearest one to you is Stoke-on-Trent, any good?
http://www.canon-europe.com/Support/Consumer_Produ...
Oh, and I'd get my money back for the crap cleaning job you've had, I wouldn't trust them with a pro cam like a IDs.
HTH
http://www.canon-europe.com/Support/Consumer_Produ...
Oh, and I'd get my money back for the crap cleaning job you've had, I wouldn't trust them with a pro cam like a IDs.
HTH
Focused said:
Got my first sensor clean done free by Canon themselves. Excellent job and done in 24hrs. Looks like the nearest one to you is Stoke-on-Trent, any good?
http://www.canon-europe.com/Support/Consumer_Produ...
Oh, and I'd get my money back for the crap cleaning job you've had, I wouldn't trust them with a pro cam like a IDs.
HTH
If it's Lehmann's then I've been there previously to have a repair done to my camera, and they botched it. I'm not having much luck with this camera - I think it may be jinxed!http://www.canon-europe.com/Support/Consumer_Produ...
Oh, and I'd get my money back for the crap cleaning job you've had, I wouldn't trust them with a pro cam like a IDs.
HTH
I've just spoken to the store again, and it's not Jessops by the way, and the manager isn't in until tomorrow. He's the guy who performed the 'clean', so I'll have to wait until then to speak to him. I think I have to give them one more opportunity to clean it, but will be taking my laptop along this time.
EmmaP said:
Calumet have days where Canon come in and do sensor cleaning all day. You can either book a specific time (if you're busy) or leave it with them and collect at end of the day. It cost £35 and they did a superb job.
That might not help if you are not near a Calumet though.
Thanks Emma. I've just phoned my local Calumet, who don't offer a regular sensor cleaning service but instead have a guy come in every now and again. He's not scheduled to be there for a while though, as he was there cleaning sensors...yesterday! That might not help if you are not near a Calumet though.
Bugger!
You don't fancy cleaning it yourself then? I was nervous first couple times, but as dust spots are such a regular problem for my 30D I decided to get a pack of sensor swabs and eclipse fluid rather than have a regular hassle/expense of a professional clean. It's pretty easy to do and usually gets the job done first attempt, if not the second. After all, isn't that just what a shop would do anyway (correct me if I'm wrong)?
Not a chance I'd be letting someone who made such a mess of my expensive camera have another go at ****ing it up again, and possibly doing a worse job. I would have thought a phone call and a letter would get you a refund, and then find another recommended place to get it cleaned.
Edited by cliff123 on Friday 8th August 13:51
Looks like when they've passed the swab acroos the sensor they've left the dust at the "end of the stroke" so to speak.
The strict instructions that come with a swab (which is undoubtedly what they've used as those marks are typical of a wet clean) is to "lightly pass the appropriately moistened swab across the sensor, from end to end, then back again using the reverse side of the swab" (so that the dust on the swab doesn't get dragged back again.
I've done the job countless times on crop sensor cameras though it is trickier on full frame (I also have a 1DS Mark II, tempted by a Mark III...) as there isn't an area to "run off" to. i.e. on crop sensor cameras the swab can usually run-off to an area past the sensor so any dust gets left there (still not good) whereas on a FF sensor it's easy to deposit your dust there.
Anyway, enough of the explanation. What I would do is:
1) Get a refund (they're far too amateurish to do a clean again, unless they undertake to accept responsibilty for a new AA filter if they damage yours...)
2) Get Canon to do it
3) Then just leave it alone until you see evidence of dust again.
A dry clean is much less hazardous than a wet clean so once Canon have cleaned your sensor of any smears, get a brush such as an Artic Butterfly and use that periodically.
I must say my 1DS Mark II is very good regarding sensor dust, especially compared to my old Nikon D100 which was the world's worst. Something about the static it produces.
Small tip: I guess you know all about being careful when changing lenses but also make sure the camera is off as the static charge could attract dust.
Seems that the 1DS Mark III is sometimes shipped with smears on the sensor which is inexcusable. In that case Canon should immediately clean it free of charge.
Malc
The strict instructions that come with a swab (which is undoubtedly what they've used as those marks are typical of a wet clean) is to "lightly pass the appropriately moistened swab across the sensor, from end to end, then back again using the reverse side of the swab" (so that the dust on the swab doesn't get dragged back again.
I've done the job countless times on crop sensor cameras though it is trickier on full frame (I also have a 1DS Mark II, tempted by a Mark III...) as there isn't an area to "run off" to. i.e. on crop sensor cameras the swab can usually run-off to an area past the sensor so any dust gets left there (still not good) whereas on a FF sensor it's easy to deposit your dust there.
Anyway, enough of the explanation. What I would do is:
1) Get a refund (they're far too amateurish to do a clean again, unless they undertake to accept responsibilty for a new AA filter if they damage yours...)
2) Get Canon to do it
3) Then just leave it alone until you see evidence of dust again.
A dry clean is much less hazardous than a wet clean so once Canon have cleaned your sensor of any smears, get a brush such as an Artic Butterfly and use that periodically.
I must say my 1DS Mark II is very good regarding sensor dust, especially compared to my old Nikon D100 which was the world's worst. Something about the static it produces.
Small tip: I guess you know all about being careful when changing lenses but also make sure the camera is off as the static charge could attract dust.
Seems that the 1DS Mark III is sometimes shipped with smears on the sensor which is inexcusable. In that case Canon should immediately clean it free of charge.
Malc
I had my 20D's sensor cleaned for free at an event in Southampton that may have been run by a company that exchanges cameras with premises in London. I got it back with the same amount of dust on and a large smear added as a bonus.
I've just paid for Fixation to do it properly.
The 40D doesn't seem to collect any at all.
I've just paid for Fixation to do it properly.
The 40D doesn't seem to collect any at all.
Problem sorted (hopefully)...
I ended up taking the camera on a 4 hour round journey to have it cleaned by a specialist who uses lighter fluid(!!!) to clean the sensors. Supposedly it's the best stuff, and it certainly produced the results this time...
The image on the left is of The London Camera Exchange clean, and the one to the rights is the specialist:
LCE have agreed to give a full refund, but stated:
"Just been looking at the before and after shots as we still have them on
the memory card and can't see anything to wrong with the after shots but if
you feel a refund on the sensor resolves your issues then I am happy to do
that."
I shan't be chancing it again...
Thanks for the advice offered
I ended up taking the camera on a 4 hour round journey to have it cleaned by a specialist who uses lighter fluid(!!!) to clean the sensors. Supposedly it's the best stuff, and it certainly produced the results this time...
The image on the left is of The London Camera Exchange clean, and the one to the rights is the specialist:
LCE have agreed to give a full refund, but stated:
"Just been looking at the before and after shots as we still have them on
the memory card and can't see anything to wrong with the after shots but if
you feel a refund on the sensor resolves your issues then I am happy to do
that."
I shan't be chancing it again...
Thanks for the advice offered
i feel i have make some comments here as i have been mentioned by name!
when a camera is brought in to have its sensor cleaned it is cleaned with the proper kit (delkin sensor scope , arctic butterfly swabs and fluid ) it is done in a professional manner and the camera is treated with respect , we check every sensor after to make sure it is clean ,and we will always re-clean if the customer is not satisfied although this is rare !
maybe in the future when someone has their sensor cleaned they might want to speak to the place they had it cleaned and get the problem rectified first by the people/company in question before making a song and dance about it to people on a forum
when a camera is brought in to have its sensor cleaned it is cleaned with the proper kit (delkin sensor scope , arctic butterfly swabs and fluid ) it is done in a professional manner and the camera is treated with respect , we check every sensor after to make sure it is clean ,and we will always re-clean if the customer is not satisfied although this is rare !
maybe in the future when someone has their sensor cleaned they might want to speak to the place they had it cleaned and get the problem rectified first by the people/company in question before making a song and dance about it to people on a forum
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