I have a dslr D50 nikon. I have it for 2 years already. How often should I bring it to a shop to clean sensor?

Question

I notice dust when i set f stop to smallest level. The sky photos have dust.

people say it's recommended to bring it to a professional to get it clean. How often do I have to do that? and if I am correct, they say it cost almost $100 to do it?!

I am planning to buy that sensor swab kit, though. This leads back to the same question... how often do I have to really clean the sensor?

Answer 1

I Soo Know What You're Talking About...

when you take pictures, there's dust in the image, it's a generally common problem, which has a few solutions to it, the companies have done a few things to address this problem. Here are some of the solutions:

1) Nikon made a lens cleaning tool, which isn't expensive at all, it has tough bristles, which don't hurt the camera, and it's under twn dollars: and the reviews are very good about it, i was going to get it, but i forgot to:

http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-Lens-Pen-Cle...

Oh, and they have alot of other kits to keep the lens clean, and to ensure that the censor stays clean, and you get the best shot you possibly can. However, some of them are very expensive, but i guess it'll be worth it.

Regards

Nathan Grammatico

oh, and i agree with fotoace, change your lenses in-side, there's not much wind and dust there, i only change my lenses inside the house, it's a ' common-sense ' method.

Answer 2

How often you need to clean it depends on how bad the dust in your pictures are.  I've never had to get any of my cameras professionally cleaned.  I've only had to use a sensor swap a grand total of once on one of my cameras.

However, I'd say I use something like the Giottos Rocket Air Blower before and after every shoot.  It only takes a minute or so of my time.  Another thing you can do is be mindful when you are changing lenses.  If you can avoid it, don't change your lens while the wind is blowing.  Before changing, I usually wipe down the rear of the lens with a microfiber cloth and then quickly change out the lens.  Then I wipe down the rear of the lens I just changed out with a microfiber before I put the rear lens cap on and put the lens in my bag.

Answer 3

This is how you do that.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/cleaning...

I have three DSLR's and in six years have only had to clean my sensors a total of three times using the technique listed on the link.

The key is to change the lenses inside..It is the dust outside in the wind that gets on your sensor.  If you make your lens changes in a dust free, still air area, you can avoid dust all together.