DSLR Sensor Cleaning

About a week into using my DSLR, I noticed dust specks on images; it likely already had some and I hadn’t noticed.

Blowing the dust out with air didn’t help. After reading about comprehensive methods for cleaning digital cameras site down at time of posting, I decided to go with a popular method and got some PEC*PADs and Eclipse methanol. It should be about the same as doing what this guy did.

This picture was taken at F/20, more than enough for visible dust.

I will be fabricating a cleaning spatula, but I will still probably delay cleaning. It’s still early on, and I don’t think I should risk destroying my camera just yet.

Should I be happy and bear with not being able to use smaller apertures without having to touch up photos? Or just go ahead and clean it. Hmm…

Update

I had bought the cleaning stuff and proceeded with my interpretation of the Copperhill Method. So much for waiting :X

I carved a makeshift cleaning stick out of basswood, and sanded down the head into a 14mm wide “V”-like “U” shape.

Here’s another shot at F/20.

The specks I circled are hardly noticeable. I managed to remove most of the smaller dust specks but it is well improved. At least I can happily stop down some more now.

I will likely modify my cleaning stick to be smaller so that I think I can have more control around the edges. My technique is poor because most of the bigger dust specks were pushed to the edges but not picked up. Maybe I should just get a proper, pre-made sensor wand.

EOS Rebel XT

A dissatisfied Nikon user urged me to get a Canon, though someone else tells me the brand doesn’t really matter, and I tend to agree.

At around 320 USD I decided on this moderately used 350D, with the “cheapie” 18-55mm 3.5-5.6 kit lens. Accessories come later depending on whether or not I adequately pick up this oh-so-expensive hobby; I should learn how to use a camera first :B

This makeshift tripod suits me but probably not the camera.