Camera Cleaning Service needed.

[pachero]

I think avsquare already explain to you again.

anyway, do you use a dry cabinet for your gears? if you don't have, this is the best time to get one, consider you already spend a few thousands on your camera and lenses, it is just a small cost to prevent fungus growing.

Actually now dry cabinet very headache, Aipo got problem, and my Friend's Digi Cabi also got the exact same problem, which is off by about 10. Don't know still got what brand good and reliable.....

TS better get your fungus-hit camera cleaned fast, and at the same time buy another hygrometer to check if there's anything wrong with your dry cabinet. If the fungus spread to other gears, you will have a big hole burnt in your wallet then...

 

[G-man]

I use an analogue dry cabinet, Value is the brand I believe. Bought it at Tang's many years back. The distributor is Rodex. Seems reliable enough.

Yes it's analogue but it does the job and has been reliable.

 

[Octarine]

yes, i do use a dry cabinet (digi cabi). humidity is set to 35rh 31deg. would this be the correct setting.

The RH setting is sufficient. If in doubt you can get another hygrometer from Sim Lim Tower and other shops. Just search here and you'll get all the earlier discussions.
The temperature cannot be set, it's just a thermometer. It is necessary because Relative Humidity (RH) is related to temperature. The RH figure is meaningless without the temperature reading.

 

[avsquare]

most customers service centres (not referring to camera service centres only) charge a fee for assessment, it will be waive off if customers taking up their repair services.

it is fair to everyone, if without imposing assessment charges, imagine how many jokers bring in their items and ask anything wrong with their xxxxx everyday.

another good point!

The RH setting is sufficient. If in doubt you can get another hygrometer from Sim Lim Tower and other shops. Just search here and you'll get all the earlier discussions.
The temperature cannot be set, it's just a thermometer. It is necessary because Relative Humidity (RH) is related to temperature. The RH figure is meaningless without the temperature reading.

Good advise. I'm quite a kiasu person, I don't want to trust only the digital hygrometer that's given together with the drycab. I bought another hygrometer from HomeFix and place it inside the dry cab to ensure both readings are near each other.

A good hygrometer can be easily bought at most DIY shops or home furniture/DIY related shops at a reasonable price, strongly recommend to get one to save you from many headaches.


Adding on to RH, many people would tell you don't let it drop below 35%. Personally I let it float within 45%. Anything below 35% is too dry for the rubber parts and they may crack if they are residing in the drycab for prolonged period of time. Also, while you may think that placing your gears in dry cab will stop fungus from growing, it's exactly true, it's best to bring it out to use once in a while as fungus thrive on surfaces that are stationary. And also, there's a special group of fungus that thrive on extremely low humidity - the exact reason why you shouldn't let the RH in your dry cab drop below 35%.

 

[fatigue]

If the fungus is on the AA filter, the side facing the mount, it should be easy to clean.
They might charge the same as ordinary sensor cleaning.

If it's inside ( the side of the filter facing the sensor), it will not be an easy cleaning process. The camera has to be dismantled to access the sensor and the AA filter has to be removed. Some say service centers (other brand as well) will recommend to replace the whole sensor. Ouch!

According to some of the guys who asked me to cleaned their sensor, they kept their camera in the dry cabinet but have not used their camera for quite some time.
This means keeping in the dry cabinet does not guarrantee fungus free.
Camera should be used once in a while to prevent fungus growth. The heat generated by the sensor and the circulation of air would prevent the fungus from growing

 

[avsquare]

If the fungus is on the AA filter, the side facing the mount, it should be easy to clean.
They might charge the same as ordinary sensor cleaning.

If it's inside ( the side of the filter facing the sensor), it will not be an easy cleaning process. The camera has to be dismantled to access the sensor and the AA filter has to be removed. Some say service centers (other brand as well) will recommend to replace the whole sensor. Ouch!
According to some of the guys who asked me to cleaned their sensor, they kept their camera in the dry cabinet but have not used their camera for quite some time.
This means keeping in the dry cabinet does not guarrantee fungus free.
Camera should be used once in a while to prevent fungus growth. The heat generated by the sensor and the circulation of air would the fungus from growing

Yup on the bold part.. I recall a while ago I sought your opinion on lens fungus issue, CSC wasn't willing to clean due to complexity of the unit or procedures involved. I guess they may not necessary have the expertise, or the equipments or the necessary environments to dismantle the whole unit and put it back and ensure that there's no introduction of dust into the unit.

 

[dennisc]

even a few specks of dust on my viewfinder, the CSC quoted me 400+ to replace a whole new prism, I said forget it, won't affect the photo anyway. But quoted me $25 for sensor clean and $20 for cam clean which is ok for me.

 

[sje4182]

Err...do u know what double standard means? It means applying different treatment to 2 (or more) different ppl having the same situation. For example a shop that gives better treatment/service to a tourist as compared to a local.

Having 2 tiers of service is not double standard.

 

[catchlights]

Good advice from David. Two thumbsup!

 

[koppite]

Camera should be used once in a while to prevent fungus growth. The heat generated by the sensor and the circulation of air would the fungus from growing

So actually turn on the live view for a couple of minutes will work as well?

 

[fotoworx]

even a few specks of dust on my viewfinder, the CSC quoted me 400+ to replace a whole new prism, I said forget it, won't affect the photo anyway.

Why on earth would CSC want to replace your prism for a few specks on dust? This makes no sense what so ever. This is just entirely ridiculous.

 

[fatigue]

Please note that my comment is just sharing feedback from other photographers who had fungus problem on their camera sensor.
No intention to scare people.

It will take a months before fungus to grow in a low humidity environment.
But still, prevention is the best cure for fungus

 

[fatigue]

Why on earth would CSC want to replace your prism for a few specks on dust? This makes no sense what so ever. This is just entirely ridiculous.

Probably, it's not a prism but a pentamirror just like this

(I used a screwdriver to show it's hollow)

This type of prism is not easy to clean.

 

[fatigue]

Yup on the bold part.. I recall a while ago I sought your opinion on lens fungus issue, CSC wasn't willing to clean due to complexity of the unit or procedures involved. I guess they may not necessary have the expertise, or the equipments or the necessary environments to dismantle the whole unit and put it back and ensure that there's no introduction of dust into the unit.

Yes, service centers have standard procedure and standard parts.
Even if they wanted to replace only the particular faulty part, the replacement usually comes in PCBs or module.
So no choice. replace the whole PCB

A few days ago there was someone who has a 50D with a bent CF card pin.
They advise her that the fix would involve replacing the entire main board.
Luckily there was someone who offered her to fix the camera.
He just straighten the pin and with a bit of soldering ....voala! Camera back into action

 

[avsquare]

Yes, service centers have standard procedure and standard parts.
Even if they wanted to replace only the particular faulty part, the replacement usually comes in PCBs or module.
So no choice. replace the whole PCB

A few days ago there was someone who has a 50D with a bent CF card pin.
They advise her that the fix would involve replacing the entire main board.
Luckily there was someone who offered her to fix the camera.
He just straighten the pin and with a bit of soldering ....voala! Camera back into action

WHAT?! WHOLE MOTHERBOARD?!

This lady is really lucky to get an alternative fix

 

[barqui]

i brought my camera to csc yesterday and yup its confirm that my 7d indeed has fungus and they will inform me thru call or sms on how much the camera is affected with fungus. normally the guy said that it will take 7 or 10 working days to finish the job.

 

[evilorgi]

actually i called them already and they told me its better to have the class B service ($120 i think), so if they are the doctor and i am the patient i have cancer already...........

oh and by the way i only have a canon 50D and 7D. Please don't think i have those expensive Marks. My 7D has some kind of fungus i think coz' when you look through the viewer you can see some kind of thing that has extended root like limbs.

LOL from the way i see it, more or less your 7D kena fungus already... how long have you not used your 7D??

 

[barqui]

LOL from the way i see it, more or less your 7D kena fungus already... how long have you not used your 7D??

i think i did not use it for like 4 months but its stored in a digi cabi dry cabinet.


CSC personel just called me about my 7D and they said they can't remove the fungus from the view finder and they suggest just to replace the part which will cost me $400. (wow):cry:..... do you think it's wise to replace it? or is there any other way to remove it? gurus need your inputs about this. thanks.