RRS Loc: Not sure

It's the points! If you have then your in, full time or not!

Carusoswi

Ha, the response to which you link was a great read, and it brought a smile to my face, not only because it was so skillfully crafted, but also because it so vividly describes how I felt during my first attempt to clean the sensor on my own DSLR.
At that time, even a single spot on my sensor would drive me to obsession, as though it was some sort of infection.
These days, like you, I clean my sensor three or four times a year, when the spot(s) start showing up in my shots to the extent that I get annoyed at the time it takes ( not much time, really) in post to clone the spot(s) away.

Today's digital camera (regardless it's type) is a pretty doggone robust component of our photographic system. It doesn't expire, doesn't require refrigeration to keep it from degrading, can survive a hot car, and on and on.

I can understand the OP's concern about cleaning his/her sensor, but with a purpose-made swab/solution (and manual blower (if you choose to use it, I don't)), it's really not a complicated process.

I urge the OP to give it a try. You will not damage your camera, and, once you get the hang of it, will wonder why it ever gave you such agita.

Again, good luck, and Happy shooting.
Caruso

ahzwizerd2 Loc: Willowbrook, ca

The best way to clean it is to have a technician do it
You can mess it up if you dont do it right
Your camera can slf clean look at your manuals settings
If its that dirty a $100 is worth having a tech clean it they blow it out for you too.
There alot of people will tell you to buy a kit do it yourself
Good luck if you know what youre doing.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

It is the 18 point DSLR cleaning.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

FUD (fear, uncertainty, and doubt) keep those guys and gals who are charging $100 per cleaning in business!

They usually use the same Sensor Swabs and Eclipse fluid you can buy online. The video on Photosol's site explains and shows just how to do it. And the extensive information at www.CleaningDigitalCameras.com is further reinforcement that you can learn to do it safely.

lamontcranston

Excellent information, as usual, Mr. Burk. Thanks.

raferrelljr Loc: CHARLOTTE, NC

Take it to a professional?

Carusoswi

It would be interesting to learn how many times sensors have been irreparably damaged by improper cleaning using materials designed for the purpose.
Before I didn't 'know what I was doing,' a "failed" cleaning did not ruin my sensor. It simply required me to reclean it, a requirement that allowed me to quickly learn what I was doing.

It's perfectly fine if you choose to pay someone to clean your sensor, but, if you choose to perform that chore yourself, do so with the reassurance that, if you use readily available cleaners/swabs made for the purpose, you are unlikely to cause irreparable damage to your camera.
I suppose I'm as guilty as other posters to this thread in turning the focus away from the OP's simple inquiry as to the best way to clean your sensor into a debate over whether or not it is safe to clean it, yourself.
There has been plenty of helpful info shared and referenced in the replies offered. I trust that the OP will be well served by that info.
Caruso

blackest Loc: Ireland

I would qualify that, with the right readily available cleaners/swabs made for the purpose, you are unlikely to cause irreparable damage to your camera.

With the sensor cleaning swabs I bought there was too much solvent on each swab and it dried with a streaky residue. The Pro who cleaned it a few hours later, found it hard to clean off, he had to use 2 swabs and he normally would only need one to clean a sensor.

You don't have to look hard to find this 'sensor cleaner' all over ebay. One seller even made a point that "no camera manufacturer recommends any 3rd party cleaner". Presumably so he can tell his customers "you chose to put this on your sensor"...

That particular cleaner I will avoid in the future and I hope no one else buys it.

JimRPhoto Loc: Raleigh NC

Try the camera store where you bought the camera. The one I frequent does it for the lifetime you own the camera, for free. The person there has a loupe, the right blowers, the correct swabs, and does this far more frequently than I ever would. They tell me that some of their customers bring their camera in as often as once a month. Good luck!

BebuLamar

Thanks everyone for the help! I don't think the store I bought it from even offer cleaning service for a fee. They would send it out. I tried to cleaned it myself and it's better but there still a lot of very small dust (can only be seen to shoot a blank background at f/22 and then narrow the curve in Photoshop to see them). If the curve is left normal (as in a normal image) they can't be seen. However, I decided to send it to Nikon for cleaning.
Thanks everyone.