Transbuff1985 Loc: east central Iowa

I have a question just got SDLR Canon rebel this last Christmas. Have taken over 700 photos so far. But how often should a person clean the sensor of the camera. Is there a time frame or number of photos that to help a person know when to have it done? Very careful when changing lens, and do it in a time order fashion to do it quickly, never change lens in a windy condition, always seek shelter. So even if a person never changes the lens, will the sensor still need cleaning at some time due to the humidity and the elements.
Bob

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

When you notice darker spots in the lighter areas of you image.
You can test it by shooting something light at a small aperture.
I use an ExpoDisc over the lens, but you can put a white sheet of paper on the lens, or point the camera at a piece of blank paper, wall or sky (w/o birds), stop the aperture down and take a shot.
Shutter speed won't matter as the spots are connected to the cover over the sensor.
Found a video that's close to my procedure HERE.
Contrary to the video, I overexpose by a stop.
No need to download and look on your computer screen- just zoom in and scroll around the image.
You won't see them at wider apertures unless they are really bad.

I usually shoot pretty wide open, so I only notice when doing close-up product shots (at small apertures), like dental instruments on a white background.
I'm usually shocked at how dirty the sensor is.

Dust in the lens never presents as spots and if you're using a DSLR, dust on the mirror or in the viewfinder NEVER shows up in the image.

DNW

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Bob, a very warm welcome to a brand new member of the Hog!!!
This just my personal opinion and how I go about my own cameras.
I think a clean sensor is one of the most overhyped and paranoid subjects in digital photography today!
Unless you’re seeing a giant booboo on your images your sensor is likely fine.
The only times I’ve had my sensors cleaned is when a camera has been in for service or I’ve got time to send it to CPS which isn't often.
I’ve gone 50,000 actuations with no problems.
And yes, I change lenses anytime, anywhere and any weather as needed.
I’m not saying don’t clean it but if you can’t SEE a problem, you probably don’t have one.
Don’t forget the sensor is ONLY exposed to the inside of the mirror box for usually only 1000ths of a second when you press the shutter, NOT when you change a lens!!
Bob, again, welcome and have a nice stay !!!
SS

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

A lot of dust comes from the rear lens cap. As far as how often - when you start getting tired of removing dust in post processing. That could be once a month or once a year - it depends on your useage.

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

Lenses are not air tight. In addition, the internal configuration changes as you focus and/or zoom the lens, leading to air being transferred into the lens from outside or vice versa. Also some dust comes from wear of parts inside the camera. Eventually your sensor will have dust spots. They can be removed in postprocessing, but at some point that becomes an onerous chore, so a cleaning will help.

A lot of cameras advertise "self cleaning sensors". They vibrate the sensor to dislodge dust, which then falls into an area designed to catch and hold it. Unfortunately, some dust gets pretty sticky and is not dislodged by vibration so a mechanical cleaning is called for (could be wet or dry).

It's easy to check to see if your sensor has dust. Sit down in front of your computer and bring up a large white screen (e.g. a word processor). Set your lens to a small aperture (high number) and turn off autofocus. Manually set the lens to focus at infinity. Place the lens right up next to the white screen and press the shutter button. Don't worry about slow shutter speeds, they won't matter. The picture you get should be uniformly gray. If you see dark spots, they represent dust on your sensor.

If there aren't many spots or if they're all small, they won't show up in a lot of your photos. The areas they will show up is a large expanse of one color/brightness, e.g. a sky or featureless wall. When there are enough to bother you, clean your sensor.

Sensor cleaning isn't rocket science, but a lot of people don't want to risk it. I would guess that any reasonable photo store would either do it for you (at a cost) or tell you where to have it done. On the other hand, any reasonable photo store would probably have the supplies necessary to do it yourself (or could tell you where to get them). As far as how to do it, there are 74,382,691 posts on how to clean your sensor. Look for one of them.

PS: as far as dust on the lens is concerned, it is rarely something that will show up on photos except that it could reduce the contrast of your photos. The spots you see are most likely on the sensor (or, to be more precise, on the AA/Bayer filter located immediately in front of your sensor).

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

First, it's not hard to do if you are careful and follow directions. Even I can do it.
However... your first step should be using something like a rocket blower, to see if a few puffs take care of it.

I literally can go years, and I use my cameras a lot (*wedding photographer) before a wet cleaning is needed. I also don't encourage people to invite problems by even using a blower, unless you are seeing some dust in your images.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

I use a three-step escalating procedure. I perform one step, then check the sensor for dust (see my post above). If it's clean, I stop. If not, I try that step again (3 times total) before I continue to the next step.

(1) Rocket blower. First of all, you should keep your rocket blower in its original packaging or in a ziplock bag to prevent dust from settling inside the blower. When you go to use it, give it a few squeezes right out of the package to blow out any dust that did get in there. Then take the lens off your camera and hold it with the lens hole pointing down so dust will fall away from the camera rather than back into it. Blow out the mirror box. Use the camera's Mirror Lock Up feature (will only work with a well-charged battery) lock the mirror out of the way and open the shutter. DO NOT use a time exposure or bulb. For one thing, the mirror lock up feature removes power from the sensor so there will not be static charges to hold on to dust or attract it back to the sensor. For another thing, a time exposure never lasts as long as you want it to, and it's too easy for your finger to slip off the button when using the bulb exposure. Again, holding the lens hole downward, blow off the sensor, being careful not to touch the sensor with the blower.

(2) I have a tool called an "Arctic Butterfly", which is a brush consisting of light fibers firmly fixed to a rod. The rod is spun at high speed which gives the fibers a static charge to attract dust. The brush is then lightly drawn across the sensor to get the dust off. Some people do not like this tool since they believe the fibers could get contaminated with oil from the shutter mechanism. I have never had such a problem so I continue to use it as the second line of offense.

(3) Wet clean. I buy cleaning pads attached to a plastic stick. They are sized for the sensor I'm cleaning (DX, FX) and cover the full width of the sensor. If I have the dry pads, I moisten them with a little Eclipse cleaning solution. Some pads come pre-moistened. I start at one end of the sensor with the stick angled in the direction of motion, apply the pad, then draw it the length of the sensor applying some pressure, but not much. The plastic stick bends slightly, but not more than maybe 1/4 inch. When I reach the end of the sensor, I angle the stick the other way and draw the pad back to the original end of the sensor. That uses both sides of the pad. Once. I then throw away the pad in case it has picked anything that could be abrasive. Note that the first pad frequently just moves some of the more stubborn stuff around. Usually 3 pads is enough to get it all.

Transbuff1985 Loc: east central Iowa

GoofyNewfie thanks for the reply and info. I watched the Video help on a couple things. I guess a person just has to watched the highlight in pictures.
Thanks again
Bob

Transbuff1985 Loc: east central Iowa

SharpShooter thanks for the reply. Was not aware that sensor only exposed to mirror box during the exposure only! Thanks for that info I will remember that!!
Once again thanks
Bob

Transbuff1985 Loc: east central Iowa

DirtFarmer Thanks for the reply and info. Been into photography for a long time and pretty mechanical inclined. Not afraid to do this cleaning process myself. But it look right now worried about nothing for the time. Thanks for the second reply I will keep all the things you discussed in mind and bring it up when needed.
Thanks Bob

Transbuff1985 Loc: east central Iowa

Gene51 thanks for the reply, a lot of dust comes from rear cap.. did not realize this
Thanks Bob

Transbuff1985 Loc: east central Iowa

Bkyser Thanks for the info and reply. Its sounds like not needed to often, just been wondering since have taken a lot of photo for 3 month. New into digital photography. Still lean towards the old film format and cameras. Decided to get my feet wet, learning a lot over a small time!!
Thanks again Bob

Transbuff1985 Loc: east central Iowa

GoofNewfie, SharpShadow, Gene51, DirtFarmer, bkyser, Longshadow, Thank you ALL. All suggestions are great in helping me understand, they have been logged into my computer so when I need them I will have them.
Did not expect such a quick reply on this. THANK YOU ALL. Bob