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Chapter 1: Exploring Your Canon EOS Rebel SL1/100D
3. Highlight Sensor Cleaning and then press Set.
The Sensor Cleaning options are displayed.
4. Highlight Clean Now (see the right image in Figure 1-18), and then
press Set.
5. A dialog box appears, asking you whether you want to clean your
sensor now.
OK is selected by default.
6.
Press
Set.
Your camera performs a sensor-cleaning cycle.
After using the Clean Now menu command, put a lens on your camera, manu-
ally set the focus to the closest distance at which the lens will focus, and then
take a picture of the clear blue sky. Open the image in your image-editing pro-
gram and zoom in to 100 percent magnification. Sensor dust shows as dark
spots. If you have stubborn specks of sensor dust on your camera, run the
Clean Now menu command a couple of times.
Keeping your sensor clean
The best way to keep your sensor clean is to never change a lens. However,
this defeats the purpose of a dSLR. But if you are meticulous about changing
lenses and follow a bit of sage advice, you’ll keep your sensor as squeaky-
clean as possible. I first learned about sensor dust when I owned my first
dSLR, a Canon EOS 10D. I was on a business trip/vacation to California. When
I was reviewing some images of the Golden Gate Bridge, I noticed some hor-
rible dust specks on the image. Then I read the manual and learned how to
clean the sensor. Since then, I’ve learned that doing the following minimizes
the chances of dust adhering to the sensor:
✓
Power off the camera before changing lenses.
If you leave the power
on, the sensor maintains a charge that can attract dust.
✓
Never change lenses in a dusty environment.
If you’re photographing
in a dry, dusty environment, find a sheltered area in which to change
lenses. When all else fails, the inside of your car is a better place to
change lenses than in a dry, dusty area.
✓
Never change lenses when it’s windy.
In windy conditions, find a shel-
tered environment in which to change lenses.
✓
Point the camera down when changing lenses.
This minimizes the
chances of dust blowing into the sensor.
✓
Have the other lens ready.
When I change lenses, it’s a juggling act. I
keep the lens I’m going to put on the camera in one hand with the rear
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