Now you are scaring me, tweezers or any metal object is the quickest way to wreck a camera, it only takes one slip and the camera is ruined. I would say that is not unreasonable price to pay, I would get the shop to check that the job has been done properly before accepting the camera back. They can take a photo of the sky and do a large print to check if they are in doubt. Don't rely on just them saying the job has been done, I have heard of cases where the sensor hasn't been done completely.

Once you walk out of the shop they can just say that any dust left must have got onto the sensor after you left the shop.

Some camera exhibitions do free sensor cleaning while you wait, worth checking to see if any are comming up.

Bazza

Cheers Baz, as regards to the tweezer incident. the hair wasnt on the sensor, it was just above lodged on the side.

I've emailed you tutor at Uni, they might have the facilities to clean it for me!

May be they will even show you the best way to clean sensors worth asking.

When I went to tech college many many years ago there was a motoring course and students could pre book their car in for respray for student to practice on under supervision, all one had to do was cover the cost of material.

Bazza

Bloomin' eck mate I told you not to let the window cleaner do it! Looks like he used his dirty old rag!

Have to be honest before I knew better I used a compressed can of air on a camera a couple of years back. Cold wet condensation. Awful.

JR suggested one of those brushes and I have found them to be quite good but that looks like it needs a professional clean.

Lol. that made me chuckle. I used a blower brush on it. but I guess the brush was contaminated with dust. is it best to work upside down when doing this kind of thing.

I'm gonna have to wait until the new year I guess before I can get this sorted. heres a reply from my tutor at college...

Anyone else find that a little hard to believe?

Seems a tad dismissive IMO.

Dan - thats a well scabby sensor! You can have it pro cleaned for £30 and then keep on top of it so it never gets like that again!! Kit husbandry is an integral part of photography pal.

Have a look here http://www.cleaningdigitalcameras.com/ you will find it an interesting and useful site - it tells you everything you'll ever want to know about sensor cleaning.

Sensors ARE very easy to clean - if you do it right. If you do it wrong...then it can be a costly experience and in some cases may render your sensor inoperable.

Arctic butterfly brushes are a great bit of kit and will save you money in the long run.

http://www.warehouseexpress.com/prod...px?sku=1015216

What kind of dirt does it look like Dan?

If it's dust then I would try the blower - for a fiver I'd get one anyway as they will come in handy for the future. If that doesn't work I woudl personally get a cleaning kit and read up on how to do it myself - only attempting it when I felt confident in it.

There are loads of help guides on youtube, here's a few:

Dan,

You can get it professionally cleaned (Jessops is not the place I would go, it's the photographic equivalent of PC World, who I wouldn't buy a computer from or Dixons, who I wouldn't buy a Hi-Fi from)

Have alook at this:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Sensor-Cleanin...1%7C240%3A1318

You need to buy a kit with the right size brush, and ensure the kit has the 'Eclipse' fluid

If you get your camera cleaned, no matter the price you pay, the next time you change lens you will end up with more dust, so you just as well get used to doing it yourself.

I've got lucky. the snide comment from the photography tutor has lead me to get a clean from their technician on monday. So looking forward to a nice clean sensor again.

Is their any technique to minimise dust harbouring? e.g camera body facing down when changing lenses etc?

Also would it help blowing it out every month or so? to stop it gaining moisture and sticking?

Just a couple of tips. Try to change a lens in a " clean " environment , if you must change a lens try and change outside if no clean environment available. At home best place is the kitchen as it attracts less dust than the rest of the house. Change lenses as little as possible, check using my method in tips after every photographic session for dust , get a rocket blower (well worth the money). Hold camera facing downwards so dirt dust doesn't fall into it.

Bazza