Has anybody used the sensor clean function on the 300D? I wondered what other users experience's were. Does it work, how often do you need to do this etc?
Just an FYI, that function doesn't really do the actual cleaning. It is a "maintenance mode" that flips up the mirror so that the imaging sensor can be exposed to the outside world. This allows you to remove the lens and then use a blower (I'd recommend the Giotto Rocket-Air) to remove dust, etc. that may have accumulated on the sensor and be visible in your pictures.
Be careful of what you use to "blow" in there, the focal-plane shutters are very fragile and could be damaged by compressed air at high pressure. In addition, many air cans do not contain "pure" air, but often have small amounts of oil that would be very bad to have accumulate on the sensor (or more correctly, the fragile glass anti-aliasing filter that sits in front of the sensor.)
If using a "bulb blower" isn't effective, the most-recommended way to clean the sensor is documented here.
Just an FYI, that function doesn't really do the actual cleaning. It is a "maintenance mode" that flips up the mirror so that the imaging sensor can be exposed to the outside world. This allows you to remove the lens and then use a blower (I'd recommend the Giotto Rocket-Air) to remove dust, etc. that may have accumulated on the sensor and be visible in your pictures.
Be careful of what you use to "blow" in there, the focal-plane shutters are very fragile and could be damaged by compressed air at high pressure. In addition, many air cans do not contain "pure" air, but often have small amounts of oil that would be very bad to have accumulate on the sensor (or more correctly, the fragile glass anti-aliasing filter that sits in front of the sensor.)
If using a "bulb blower" isn't effective, the most-recommended way to clean the sensor is documented here.
Thanks for the link to the link to the cleaning instructions. I just ordered a SensorSwipe. :) Haven't had to clean the CMOS yet but I want to be prepared when I do.
Where can you buy this Eclipse stuff? Does it have to be purchased at a photography store or can it be picked up in a drug store?
The Filter Connection (2filter.com) carries it and the Pec-Pads (and the Giotto Rocket-Air). Using the combination of the SensorSwipe (either home-made or purchased from Copperhill), Eclipse and Pec-Pads is cheaper (and better, according to some who have tried both) than using the (expensive) pre-made Sensor Swabs.
The Filter Connection (2filter.com) carries it and the Pec-Pads (and the Giotto Rocket-Air). Using the combination of the SensorSwipe (either home-made or purchased from Copperhill), Eclipse and Pec-Pads is cheaper (and better, according to some who have tried both) than using the (expensive) pre-made Sensor Swabs.
