How to clean the image sensor of a DSLR camera?(Professional tip)

             When photos from a DSLR camera appear with black spots, cleaning the sensor of the camera can be really helpful. It’s a tricky operation, but absolutely worthwhile.
             The vacation was great, and your camera captured some memorable moments. However, random black spots appearing on the bright blue sky can be irritating to look at, and cannot be removed other than processing them on a PC. If, this is the case, you can take it for granted that there are dust particles on the image sensor of your DSLR.
              Modern cameras are equipped with a sensor-cleaning mechanism, but many older models aren't. Dust particles usually enter the camera when one is changing the lens. When you take pictures, they are deposited on the sensor or, to be precise, on the low pass fi lter lying in front of it. This is why these disturbing spots aren't really prominent on every picture. The longer the focal length and smaller the aperture, the more clearly visible these particles tend to be.
              If you can't clean the sensor, you can use alternate methods to get better pictures. Use the aperture priority given in the camera for photographing most of the sky and select a bigger aperture, say 1:4 or 1:5.6. In doing so your chances of ignoring these spots are higher. You can even clear the spots using clone stamp while editing the image on a PC. If these options don’t sound like the ultimately solution, then cleaning the sensor certainly would. While this task can be handed over to a photo studio or camera manufacturer, it costs a minimum sum and a couple of days to do it on your own.
PREPARE WELL: You need a cleaning kit and a mini-blower. The camera battery must be charged completely. Shooting a test photo will show you where the dirt is. Shoot a white screen using aperture priority, the smallest aperture (1:22 or 1:32), longer focal length, and keep the focus to infinity, with the screen only a few centimeters away. Then, arrange for an automatic tonal value correction in image editing. SUPPORT THE CAMERA: Mount the camera on a tripod so that both your hands are available during work. Use caution and clean the entire body from outside before removing the lens. Also, ensure that the place you’re doing the cleaning should be properly lit up and tools are ready. You don’t want to waste time because the camera is extremely susceptible to dust when the reflector and lock have been opened.
CLEAN THE REFLECTOR CASE: It makes sense to remove all the dust from the reflector case, so that it doesn't settle back on the sensor after you've cleaned it. Clean the reflector and the focusing screen using the blower. Carefully push the reflector up and use the blower to clean the lower part of the reflector glass and also the exposed shutter curtain.
PREPARE THE SPATULA: In the kit, you’ll also find 100 poly knit one-time use wipers. At the time of delivery, the cleaning spatula is already wrapped up completely with a cloth. For later use, wrap the spatula with a new cloth and fi x it using an adhesive tape. Ensure that the base is absolutely clean and the top of the wrapped spatula does not come in contact with anything.
ACTIVATE THE INSPECTION MODE: Access the camera menu and go to system settings (screw-wrench symbol). If there are only seven or fewer points mentioned here, go to ‘Menu selection’ and select ‘Detailed’. Now scroll down to the ‘Inspection’ point and confirm with ‘OK’. Now when you press the shutter release button, the reflector is folded up and the lock is opened. However, the sensor remains closed.
APPLY THE SOLUTION: Open the lock and clean the sensor a few times using the blower to remove the coarse dust. Now, put three to four drops of the ‘Eclipse’ cleaning solution on the wrapped spatula. The solution has toxic and pure Methanol, which evaporates very quickly and without leaving any residue. Quickly go over to step 7 before the spatula dries.
WET CLEANING OF SENSOR: Now, using the spatula, wipe from top left to right by gently pressing the sensor. Begin from the left-hand-side with the spatula in an inclined position. It should be pointed vertically on the sensor to the right-handside edge. Now, take the spatula below, incline it in the other direction and repeat the procedure by keeping the mirror inverted. Close the camera.
RESULTS: It is recommended that you shoot a test photo just like you did in step 1. If, even now, the spots are clearly visible, you need to repeat the process with a fresh, clean cloth. In our case, the cleaning of a very dirty sensor was a successful in the fi rst attempt, but results will of course vary.