Best Method for cleaning Dust out of Sensor area

[sf280]

So I went out shoot all day and damn most of the pics are screwed because there are nice dust particles showing. It was primarily when it was really bright out and I was shoot above F14 where they became noticeable. Any recommended techniques? I am going to Yosemite next weekend and want it to be clean!!

[sf280]

this is on a 20d by the way

[Dr. ///AMG]

windex and newspapers.

[redline]

Uh no windex and newspapers, unless you want to buy a new sensor.

You'll notice the most dust at smaller aperatures, like you said. You should check both your sensor and lens for dust.

I don't trust myself enough to touch the sensor. So I send mine off to either Canon or a certified camera shop. However, you can buy things for cleaning the sensor yourself. I'd recommend a cleaning product that doesn't touch the actual sensor at all. For this there are some high pressure air cleaners, although I have no experience swith any of them, I've heard good results.

[scottschoe]

Couldn't you just use the compressed air cans for keyboards?

[redline]

No! I'd be very wary of doing that. i'm sure they are too powerful, and the sensor is too expensive to take that risk.

[98c43amg]

I'm a neophite with all this and in the process of buying my 1st D-SLR. Worrying about that if I were to purchase a D80 [D200?], I asked a salesman @ B&H Photo yesterday the very same question. He's a nature photographer. He said he cleans it before every outing out [yes, to which I had an expression of "!?!"] and never has had a problem with affecting the sensor filter. He uses one of those handheld pumps first. If that doesn't get it he uses a lens brush. He's never had to resort to it, but he mentioned there being a kit [w/a a fluid] that can be used to clean it. (Eclipse I'm guessing:
http://www.cleaningdigitalcameras.com/methods.html )
So I'm guessing what he's saying about cleaning it before every outing is simply using the little pump; not wiping the sensor.

He stated dust shouldn't be much of a problem to me if I ensure one thing. That I look closely as the lens I am putting on the body and ensure there is no dust on it before securing it in place; that it's unlikely I'll get dust in the body the short time it is open. It's the lens that serves as the carrier of the dust. (very edjamacational to me)

There's this "round-up" of a bunch of sites covering the topic:
http://www.dphotojournal.com/digital-slr-sensor-cleaning-tip-roundup/

So, just echo'ing what I learned about the topic this weekend. Hope it helps.

[redline]

Cleaning before every outing? Geez. Well if you know what your doing, why not. I would just avoid touching the thing as much as possible (ie with brushes, fluids, etc).

[sf280]

http://photosol.com/
I got the Sensor Swabs and the Eclipse cleaner. Seemed to clean it pretty well, still a few small specks but I will try another time. Those swabs are really expensive.