Sony Alpha A550 Sensor Cleaning

dave66

Looking for some guidance/advice please. I started my SoFoBoMo last night and wouldn't you just know, I discovered that the sensor on my A550 has dust on it, ran the self cleaning a number of times to no avail.

I have check 3 different lenses on the body and the dust remains, in the same location and have tried the same lenses on my A100 without any issue, so I believe the dust is on the A550 sensor. It's frustrating, I have my A100 for some years now and have never had this issue. I have my A550 since Christmas and now have this issue, I guess I'm really frustrated because I was trying to get going on my SoFoBoMo project.

So can anyone advise me on best/safest method to clean the sensor on my A550, does it really need a visit to somewhere like Conns or will a blower (not compressed air) do the job?

dakar

If you have a blower (I use a Giotto Rocket), give it a go and see if it dislodges the dust. If not, then you'll need a wet clean.

Your options are, obviously enough, DIY or pay somone to do it. I use a Copper Hill sensor cleaning kit. It is a bit of a leap of faith to do your first DIY wet clean :eek:, but it's a fairly straightforward procedure, just make sure you have the correct fluid (there are two types Eclipse and E2) and sensor swipe to suit your camera.

Getting someone to do it for you this time has the advantage that you don't need to wait for the bits to arrive, which if you're itching to get going on your sofobomo might be a big bonus.

hopelessOne

I've found that a blower rarely completed the job but I've started using Dust Aid which is a dry method. Basically you have a disposable sticky silicone pad that you use to pick the dust off the sensor. I've found it quicker and more reliable than the wet methods I was using previously. Very occasionally, I still need to use a wet swab but Dust Aid usually does the job.

dave66

Thanks for info people.

As it turns out I managed to get the sensor clean with the self clean function. What I did was run the self clean twice with the lens attached and then ran it again with the lens off and camera facing down. Result was a nice clean sensor, happy days.

pixbyjohn

dave66 wrote: »

Thanks for info people.

As it turns out I managed to get the sensor clean with the self clean function. What I did was run the self clean twice with the lens attached and then ran it again with the lens off and camera facing down. Result was a nice clean sensor, happy days.

Just to be sure to be sure.

Take a photo of a white sheet of paper with Aperture set to f22, then look at pic on computer screen. Sensor dirt shows up more on higher F numbers.

dave66

pixbyjohn wrote: »

Just to be sure to be sure.

Take a photo of a white sheet of paper with Aperture set to f22, then look at pic on computer screen. Sensor dirt shows up more on higher F numbers.

I did that John, mind you got some funny looks in the office when colleague saw me photographing blank sheet of paper. I told him it was a new project entitled "The presence of light", must remember to tell him I was pulling his leg, but first must print that piece of work and frame it