JimRPhoto Loc: Raleigh NC

I’d suggest check with your camera store. Mine will clean indefinitely, and for free, any camera you bought there. They are equipped with much more than a basic kit; rather a workbench set up with the proper optics and tools to do it right, and not cause any damage. I suggest checking your own local store, because mine does not advertise this, they just do it. JimR

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

What kind of camera do you have? When I turn on or off my camera, the sensor cleaner (vibration) cleans the sensor.

Every now and then I manually clean the sensor by accessing the menu.

I’m sure there are much more competent photographers than myself. They have the experience and tools to get the job done.
However, I am skittish when it comes to giving the sensor a good cleaning. I am more inclined to spend a little more money and bring it into a camera repair store. I am very gentle with my “baby!”

I’m sure I will catch some lip service for this but it is no big deal to bring the camera everywhere I go.

BurghByrd Loc: Pittsburgh

There are many such on youtube and they will help with one's confidence.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

The link below is the best resource you'll find for info about how to properly clean a sensor yourself. The site is written and maintained by professional camera techs who also operate the largest online store supplying tools and supplies to the camera repair industry. They stock and are knowledgeable about virtually every product offered for sensor cleaning and give good advice about how to use them.

http://www.cleaningdigitalcameras.com/

Read EVERYTHING at that site and decide if you want to clean yourself or have it done by someone else. While it's possible to do damage if not done correctly, it's also something that can be learned pretty easily.

I think it will cost approx. $100-$150 to get properly set up to do your own cleanings. But once you have the tools and supplies you'll be all set to do a lot of cleanings in the future. This will be the most cost-effective, in the long run.

In contrast it will probably cost at least $25 and possibly $50 or more to have a cleaning done (cost varies a lot by location). Over time and with multiple cleanings it will end up costing more to have done.

It sort of depends upon what gear you use and how you use it. Modern self-cleaning sensors help a lot! But they aren't able to solve every problem and eventually will need a manual cleaning, too. Not every camera has self-cleaning sensors, either. Usually it's the more entry-level models that lack that feature.

Even with self-cleaning sensor, mirrorless cameras may be more prone to dirty sensors, too. Many of them leave the sensor fully exposed when the lens is removed. In DSLRs - and a few recent mirrorless models - the shutter is closed over the sensor helping to protect it from dust. Mirrorless camera sensors are also much less recessed inside the camera, typically around 3/4"... where DSLR sensors are deeper inside the cameras, approx. 1-3/4".

If you shoot a lot in dusty conditions you're likely to need to clean sensors more frequently. Frequent lens changes might make it necessary more often, too. Plus some lenses act like "dust pumps" pulling air in when they extend and expelling it when they contract. That can lead to more dust inside both the lens and the camera it's used upon.

It's not just dust, either. Oils can get onto the sensor too, shutter lubrication, most likely. Oil on a sensor can then cause dust to adhere.

The "trick" to DIY sensor cleaning is to follow a careful step-by-step process. It can help to write up a check-list to use each time you do a cleaning. This can reduce risk a lot and make for efficient, effective cleanings. There's a downloadable "workflow" diagram provided at the above website, but it should be adapted to the nuances of any specific camera.

Only you can say if you should get the tools and supplies to do the cleanings yourself, or would be better handing the camera to a professional camera repair tech. Hopefully this will help you decide one way or the other.

Meanwhile, if your camera has a "self-cleaning" sensor, be thankful for that! I shoot a lot under dusty conditions and with my older cameras that lacked a self-cleaning sensor, cleanings were needed at least once a month and sometimes more often than that. It was a real PITA! Before the self-cleaning feature was available, I actually avoided buying one camera in part because it had a reputation as a "dust magnet". I had my fill of cleanings with the cameras I already had! I was pleased when manufacturers started including a self-cleaning sensor feature in their cameras and even happier when after using them and learning that it works! Now I've had cameras go as long as a year between cleanings, even under similar dusty conditions, thanks to the self-cleaning sensors:

mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma

I’m fortunate in that I have a superb camera store in my area, Hunt’s, that offers free or reduced sensor cleaning from time to time. I hope you have a store near you that does the same.