Digital SLR question

[FM Arouet666]

My camera gets bogged down with soot on the CCD. I read a number of photo sites that advocate cleaning on a regular basis, and the Canon D10 does have a mode to raise the shutter, leaving it open for cleaning. I bought some ultra pure methyl alcohol and sterile lint free swipes from an online camera shop. No problems with cleaning, yet.

Other than quick switches of the lens, keeping it powered off, is there anything else that can be done to limit the problem. I shot a whole 512Mb card with crud on my CCD and spent days fixing the pics in paintshop.

Interestingly enough, I have asked numerous camera shops this question and they have all advised against cleaning the CCD, recommending sending the body to Canon for cleaning.

[DS1]

1. My Father has a 10D

I believe he sent it to 42ndstreet photo for cleaning. Or some place in New York. I'd be hesitant to clean my sensor by myself.

[FM Arouet666]

2. Yes, that is what others have advised me to do

But, professional photographers have posted similar experiences with the next few grades up in camera, noting that to survive they have to clean the sensor. I need a stiff drink and nerves of steel to clean the thing, one mess up and I can look forward to saving up for the next camera.

[Fovea]

3. I use an Air Bomb for most stuff...

But I have heard good things about these...

http://www.visibledust.com/sensor_cleaning_products.html

[FM Arouet666]

4. Hey, thanks for the post

Lots of good stuff, I will have to give it a try...........

[ET Awful]

5. I clean the sensor on my D70 regularly with no issues.

I use sensor-swipes (non-abrasive, static and lint free wipes), wrapped around a small rubber spatula and moistened with Eclipse cleaning fluid (which is essentially methyl alcohol).

Do a Google search for the "Copperhill Method" and you will see the procedure I use.

edit to add: I also use a brush similar to the one mentioned in the post above which works great for removing loose particles, the wet/swipe method is useful for removing the more stubborn specks and such.

[FM Arouet666]

6. That is what I have been doing as well

Sensor swipes and Eclipse cleaning fluid, seems to work well. I am just a bit nervous when photo shops react in horror when I tell them what I am doing.

[ET Awful]

8. The method that Canon uses when you pay them to clean it is very

similar to the Copperhill method, as is the Nikon approved tech method. The Nikon method uses two chopstick like aparatus with a sensor swipe type patch between them.

[RagingInMiami]

7. Read this before you do anything

http://www.photo.net/equipment/digital/sensorcleaning/

[FM Arouet666]

9. Thanks, I have this site in my Favs

'Open Heart Surgery' Yes, that is how I feel when I clean the thing......