An Expensive Lesson Learned.. (Page 4): I think that would be a bit of a reach. He clearly stated his gut told him not to. He decided to go ahead and use the product. The product...

traderjohn Loc: New York City

hookedupin2005 wrote:

I would take the bill for your cleaning, and show it to the manager of the store you bought the products from,explaining what happened. I doubt that they will compensate you for any of it, even though they compounded the problem with their products, but I would tell them that you will NEVER recommend anyone to buy from their store.

I think that would be a bit of a reach. He clearly stated his gut told him not to. He decided to go ahead and use the product. The product aside, $1200.00 bill. Was this an arbitrary repair?? Was this done without his knowledge and consent??

traderjohn Loc: New York City

The "dust" seems to be a focal point. What about the $1200.00?? That seems to have gotten lost.

RRS Loc: Not sure

amfoto1 wrote:

Some of the recent Nikon models do not have an anti-alias (aka "low pass") filter over their sensors.

But they most certainly DO have some sort of protective filter with anti-reflective coatings!

No digital camera I'm aware of has a completely exposed sensor. They ALL use some sort of filter permanently installed over it.

Thanks for the info, I was referring to the anti-alias filter.

BigGWells Loc: Olympia, WA

I am not sure what Canon does. I have cleaned countless Nikon's for myself and friends, never had an issue. I cleaned one Canon, she ended up having to send it to Canon, cost was $400.

I too have the sticky sticks as I call them, they work awesome. I do find I do not always need them. Normally, a quick hit with the blower, a sensor swab, with sensor cleaning fluid. One swipe, turn the swab, second swipe on the other half, and I find it is clean. Take a quick photo at f/22 against a solid white background, zoom in and check. Repeat if needed.

I did find one thing with a Canon, you can not clean the mirror with anything, other than the blower.

Sorry you had such a bad experience.

Oh, and I purchased all my cleaning items from B&H. I find many of the local stores simply want to make a sale. B&H has great technical support and videos as well

bwana Loc: Bergen, Alberta, Canada

Angel Star Photography wrote:

My camera had acquired some dust specks on the sensor and needed some cleaning. I had researched the products available, studied the recommendations and instructions of professionals, and settled on purchasing products from Visible Dust. With this thought in mind, I went to the camera shop nearby but found they did not carry such products and recommended another which they claimed to be just as good. Along with the recommendation another product was offered which was some kind of sticky gel-like material on a wand. I questioned as to whether it would leave anything on the sensor and how to clean it afterward. My gut instincts told me to drop their offer and proceed with buying according to my original plan online. However, for whatever reason, I opted to give it a try. I must be slipping as typically my gut instincts prevail.

Well, the blower bulb failed to remove the dust. The swabs added more dust even after blowing the swabs before use as recommended in the instructions. I was stunned and disappointed. That should have been a clue but again I ignored my instincts. Perhaps it was also coupled with a desire to just get the mess cleaned up. Moving to the gel wand, if it works as I was told, the dust should lift right off. No luck with that and, of course, I found myself now dealing with the goo it left behind. Thus, I followed up with the swabs with some cleaner added and again, I was hearing, "Don't do this, something just doesn't look right." However, once again, I gave it a shot and the dust only moved to one side, the goo remained, and two scratches were placed on the sensor.

At this point, I considered my options and opted to send my camera to Canon. I didn't trust taking it to the shop where I bought the cleaning products and a check out of another shop just didn't give me the comfort feeling necessary to really trust them with the camera.

End result...I am without my camera, a 5D4, for about a week or more but it will be cleaned and repaired at a total cost of about $1,200. I was considering the purchase of a backup camera---one of the Costco kits---but that will have to wait now. Another learning experience to be had. I must say, I am not averse to learning experiences and I have had my share over the course of my life. I don't expect them to end until my last breath as I am an explorer filled with curiosity and adventure. Just sharing the experience... Probably should find a used, non-functioning camera to practice and experiment on though I am now leaning towards just sending my camera to Canon anytime it needs cleaning. From their site, it appears that cleaning is only about $50 plus taxes and shipping.

C. R. Smith (Charles)
Angel Star Photography
www.angelstarphotography.com

My camera had acquired some dust specks on the sen... (show quote)

A sad story of what can result from attempts to clean camera sensors; however, with care it is entirely possible to keep a camera sensor close to spotless without causing damage. I've cleaned my camera sensors for years with no problems using a combination of blowers, brushes, and Visible Dust and LensPen products with no problems...

bwa

Shutterbugsailer Loc: Staten Island NY (AKA Cincinnati by the Sea)

Angel Star Photography wrote:

My camera had acquired some dust specks on the sensor and needed some cleaning. I had researched the products available, studied the recommendations and instructions of professionals, and settled on purchasing products from Visible Dust. With this thought in mind, I went to the camera shop nearby but found they did not carry such products and recommended another which they claimed to be just as good. Along with the recommendation another product was offered which was some kind of sticky gel-like material on a wand. I questioned as to whether it would leave anything on the sensor and how to clean it afterward. My gut instincts told me to drop their offer and proceed with buying according to my original plan online. However, for whatever reason, I opted to give it a try. I must be slipping as typically my gut instincts prevail.

Well, the blower bulb failed to remove the dust. The swabs added more dust even after blowing the swabs before use as recommended in the instructions. I was stunned and disappointed. That should have been a clue but again I ignored my instincts. Perhaps it was also coupled with a desire to just get the mess cleaned up. Moving to the gel wand, if it works as I was told, the dust should lift right off. No luck with that and, of course, I found myself now dealing with the goo it left behind. Thus, I followed up with the swabs with some cleaner added and again, I was hearing, "Don't do this, something just doesn't look right." However, once again, I gave it a shot and the dust only moved to one side, the goo remained, and two scratches were placed on the sensor.

At this point, I considered my options and opted to send my camera to Canon. I didn't trust taking it to the shop where I bought the cleaning products and a check out of another shop just didn't give me the comfort feeling necessary to really trust them with the camera.

End result...I am without my camera, a 5D4, for about a week or more but it will be cleaned and repaired at a total cost of about $1,200. I was considering the purchase of a backup camera---one of the Costco kits---but that will have to wait now. Another learning experience to be had. I must say, I am not averse to learning experiences and I have had my share over the course of my life. I don't expect them to end until my last breath as I am an explorer filled with curiosity and adventure. Just sharing the experience... Probably should find a used, non-functioning camera to practice and experiment on though I am now leaning towards just sending my camera to Canon anytime it needs cleaning. From their site, it appears that cleaning is only about $50 plus taxes and shipping.

C. R. Smith (Charles)
Angel Star Photography
www.angelstarphotography.com

My camera had acquired some dust specks on the sen... (show quote)

A doctor who treats himself has a fool for a patient

BigGWells Loc: Olympia, WA

Shutterbugsailer wrote:

A doctor who treats himself has a fool for a patient

I have heard a range of $75.00 to $200 to have a sensor cleaned.

I can not begin to say how much money I have saved by cleaning the sensors myself and those of my friends. Not to mention the time of not having the camera.

I do not think you can compare medicine to cleaning a sensor....lol

PH CIB

Wow,,,Thank You for Posting This,,,Scary Stuff !!!

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

mizzee wrote:

I feel so fortunate that my local camera shop, Hunt’s, offers discounted cleaning or sometimes even free cleaning once a year. I don’t trust myself to undertake this task.

Samy’s In California does the same.

Dennis

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

anotherview wrote:

The salesman sold you what the store had in invent... (show quote)

You are so wrong in your feeling toward the product and salesmen in general. Most salesmen and women in camera stores I frequent want repeat business. They want me to not only buy other products from their store but also want me to recommend their store and products to others.

You were not there when the OP purchased the sensor cleaning kit so have absolutely no idea of the conversation that took place. You were not there when the OP cleaned the sensor so you have absolutely no idea if he did everything correctly according to the instructions of if he was impatient and skipped a couple of steps. I wasn’t there either but I am not the person making wild claims against the product or the salesman.

Perhaps you have had a bad experience in a camera store but I would guess 99% of us have not had any problem. If there is a concern we, you too, can go back and ask questions to rectify any problem you might have. That is what grown ups do. But to put down a product you likely know nothing about and a salesman you have never met, let alone a camera store you have likely never visited is stupid.

Dennis

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

hookedupin2005 wrote:

I would take the bill for your cleaning, and show it to the manager of the store you bought the products from,explaining what happened. I doubt that they will compensate you for any of it, even though they compounded the problem with their products, but I would tell them that you will NEVER recommend anyone to buy from their store.

You do realize the store has no control over how the product was used by the OP, whether it was used correctly or not, instructions were followed or not and so on. The OP mentioned he had scratched the sensor. Does that sound as if instructions were followed? I am not against the OP and feel as bad for him and his wallet as the rest of the members here. I appreciate the telling of what happened. But through the entire anecdote we read, My gut feeling told me not to, BUT...

How is any of this the fault of the store or salesman? For all we know other people used the very same product with great results. I am sure shoppers would recommend the same product.

Dennis

BigGWells Loc: Olympia, WA

dennis2146 wrote:

You do realize the store has no control over how t... (show quote)

Well said Dennis, a car dealer can sell you a car, not their responsibility to make sure you can drive it.

juanbalv Loc: Los Angeles / Hawthorne

I would then demonstrate the usefulness of a molotov cocktail. Just Kidding. But, isn't it amazing how experienced neophytes can be just because they work behind the counter at a photo retail store?

hookedupin2005 wrote:

I would take the bill for your cleaning, and show it to the manager of the store you bought the products from,explaining what happened. I doubt that they will compensate you for any of it, even though they compounded the problem with their products, but I would tell them that you will NEVER recommend anyone to buy from their store.

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

BigGWells wrote:

Well said Dennis, a car dealer can sell you a car, not their responsibility to make sure you can drive it.

Thank you very much.

That is my thinking too. It seems lately that people, not the OP, want to put all responsibility of their actions on somebody else. We all make choices, some good and some bad. But they remain OUR choices.

Dennis

Bill Emmett Loc: Bow, New Hampshire

Why not join CPS? You'll get free cleaning for lenses and cameras. It is part of your membership. They even provide free lenders to members.