Camera: 5D

After cleaning my sensor with pec padds and solution, I can set my wide angle lens at 17mm and f22, take a picture of a pale blue sky, and then open the file and see spots. Not bad, or large, or dark, but always something, no matter how carefull I am cleaning. Is this normal?

Thanks

Make sure your lens is clean. Spots on the front and rear elements might be causing spots in the image. I used to see large diffuse blobs, but changing lenses removed them.

Otherwise you should be able to get your sensor clean. You might not be taking enough care to not handle the pecpads (or rather than region that touches the sensor), or maybe you should thoroughly clean the mirror chamber first, then clean the sensor. I bought digipads in case pecpads were not sterile enough. In practice pecpads wrapped round an old digipad work well.

Leif

It's normal, unless you are in a clean room environment you more than likely will never get it all out.

Paul c.

After cleaning it today It looks worse than before I cleaned it. I'm getting friustrated. I never had this problam with my 20D after cleaning. I've cleaned botht eh front and back of my lenses.

I'd like to get an anti static rag, but what are they and where do I get one?

No it's not normal. It is very possible to get a spotless sensor if it is cleaned right. Eclipse and Pec*Pads works but it can be difficult to get a perfect cleaning. A better solution is to buy yourself a sensor brush. Copper Hill sells them for reasonable prices (unlike a certain competitor...). Follow the directions, and it works every time.

I use to get near perfect or perfect results on my 20D. Have no idea what the deal is with this thing so far.

I actually just looked right now and ony found one very small and very light dust spec in my new photos. I blew the camera out today jsut before leaving, and that seems to have done it.

To 61dynamic,

I guess we will just agree to disagree. You will never get it all out, and if you think you are great!.

You can't even see alot of it unless you have the correct optical equipment.

I am speaking to dust, I am not sure if that the orginal poster is getting if it's dust or something else.

I guess I gave up getting it all out around 3 years ago with my 1ds.

Paul C.

The smaller the aperture you use when making test shots, the clearer and more identifiable the marks on the sensor become.

I made a pinhole lens using this technique: http://www.camerahacker.com/EOS_Pin-Hole_Lens/index.shtml

Using this "lens" it becomes possible to identify very subtle marks on the sensor including fluid residues and drying marks that are invisible even at F32.

Andrew

I do get all the dust off the sensor. Every time.

You don't need a microscope, micron imaging scope or even Sherlock Holme's magnifying glass to see the dust. As mentioned, simply stopping down the aperture and photographing out of focus a blank wall you can see all troublesome dust in the resulting file.

Back when I cleaned using Pec*Pads and Eclipse fluid, it was a bit of a pain and at times would take a few attempts, but I did get spotless results. Now, I use a nylon brush and it's far easier and quicker to get a spot-free sensor.

If you aren't getting your sensor completely clean, then there is a flaw in your technique.

You're completely right. What I meant was that it is so little that it is practically nonexistant, even at f20. It was really bad.