I Think Its Time For A Cleaning, You Think?

[cpasley]

Any suggestions on who's best or more importantly who's cheapest? The spots only apear at an ISO setting below 200, thats why no prop blur in my Yuma shots 
SLR with an STD by Chris Pasley, on Flickr

[Joe Copalman]

Tempe Camera does it for $35.  I think PhotoMark(?) might be closer to you.

One trick I use to eliminate sensor dust is to shoot at ISO 100 and to jack up my exposure compensation anywhere between +1/3 to +1, depending on my shutter speed (+1/3 for 1/250, +2/3 for 1/125, +1 for 1/60).  This will yield a wider aperture (anywhere from f/16 to f/11-ish), meaning less visible dust spots, but those that do show up will be a little bigger.  Just looking at that shot I'm guessing your aperture was about f/22 or so, which is like dust spot hell.

You can also use the "Dust Delete Data" function on your camera.  I've used that before, and have had mixed results, but it's better than what I was dealing with before.  Nothing beats a cleaning. 

[cpasley]

I will try that first but with Valle coming up I know its something im gonna want to be 100% on, Thanks Joe

[cpasley]

Just a heads up, took my camera to Photomark and they dont do cleanings anymore, I ran by a place called Photo Forum on 7th st and indian school and they wanted $50! so ill probably break down and head to Tempe Camera only drawback with them is I have to make a double trip cause maybe someone can verify but ill have to drop off one day and pick up the next

[Joe Copalman]

Yup.  Even a "rush" with Tempe is at least 24 hours.

[Jay Beckman]

Photomark is, for all intents and purposes, out of business.

They closed Colormark today and I'm sure the retail side isn't long for this world either.

[cpasley]

Cool thanks Joe and Jay

[Jeff D. Welker]

Photomark is, for all intents and purposes, out of business.

They closed Colormark today and I'm sure the retail side isn't long for this world either.

For an old guy like me, losing Photomark/Colormark is sad. At one time, they were ground zero for serious photography in the metro-Phoenix area. Professionals and amateurs alike rubbed shoulders at their counters. Unfortunately, their location and the economy have both seriously degraded in the past few years.

[Chris Kennedy]

It's just like the old time family run hardware stores that were destroyed by the Home Depots and Loew's of the world. Or, any small store trying to compete against Walmart. Not many people are willing to pay more for cameras and equipment at a small store when they can save so much by buying online, or at a large chain store. It's only the pros and die hard amateurs that are willing to do so to get the personal service.

How many members here have made a major purchase from a camera store recently?

I doubt if there are many metropolitan areas the size of this one that will support more than one true camera store anymore, or any at all.

[cpasley]

Yeah I gotta admit I got turned around in the neighborhood looking for that place so I locked my door then was followed in the parking lot by one of Phoenix's best but once he saw me get out with my camera he left 

[Jeff D. Welker]

It's just like the old time family run hardware stores that were destroyed by the Home Depots and Loew's of the world. Or, any small store trying to compete against Walmart. Not many people are willing to pay more for cameras and equipment at a small store when they can save so much by buying online, or at a large chain store. It's only the pros and die hard amateurs that are willing to do so to get the personal service.

How many members here have made a major purchase from a camera store recently?

I doubt if there are many metropolitan areas the size of this one that will support more than one true camera store anymore, or any at all.

Your spot on Chris. Old guys like me wish for the good-ol-days while we sit at our computers and order stuff from B&H or Amazon. We want our cake, we want to eat our cake, and we want it at the lowest price possible 

As a side note, I stopped off at Tempe Camera Friday morning and the place was a zoo. I could not get close to the counter with all the folks lined-up to buy stuff. Maybe if you can survive until you are the last store standing - you can make it work financially?

[Chris Kennedy]

Yeah I gotta admit I got turned around in the neighborhood looking for that place so I locked my door then was followed in the parking lot by one of Phoenix's best but once he saw me get out with my camera he left 

You do look pretty suspicious. 

[Jay Beckman]

TCR has ASU and as such, they have a recurring stream of newbie PJ students...

[scottcolbath]

Have any of you tried cleaning your own sensor? I bought a kit for my 30D. It works well. You just have to be careful.

Also, to avoid excessive dust, I am very prudent with lens swaps. I get the lens unlocked on the camera, then get the protective cap loose on the other lens. I then cross arms, pick up the lenses and place them in the opposite places. The lens on the camera can be clicked into place easily enough, then you attend to tightening the protective cap on the other lens. I'm over a year into my 7D doing this and still have a clean sensor.

S.C.

[cpasley]

I watched a video on youtube from a guy who shows how to clean a lens on a camera very similar to mine and he no lie took a shot of whiskey he said to "calm his nerves" before proceeding he then had the elaborate set up with vacuum running, I decided at that point my camera is too precious to me and cant afford another as crappy as it is so im gonna save my pennies and have someone do it for me, now if your offering Scott I may take you up on it, lol