5D & CMOS Cleaning @ Canon, How Much?

Yes, and free (my camera was well out of warranty). I believe they charge (if they are going to charge you) about $35.

If you have never sent your camera in before, they probably won't charge you.

Somebody's got to say it, so I guess I will: you really should just learn how to clean the sensor yourself. It's really not that big a deal...

You can have your camera sensor cleaned for free within 6 months period from the date of purchase (but only once). I don't know about prices in US but I guess it's about $30.

Best thing for you is to call them. I live near Canon Service Center in Irvine, CA. So I have had my sensors cleaned for free a few times by bringing the cameras in. They cleaned the sensor while I was reading one of their magazines. BTW, they also clean the mirror of the camera too.

Thanks for the responses.

I just got off the phone with Beth & Canon. She told me, 5D CMOS sensor cleaning only:

Option A. You mail it in and we mail it back to you would be $ 80.00.

Option B. You bring the camera to us in person and pick it up in person, then it would be free. (Note: I told Beth that I had purchased my 5D new April 2008.) Turn around generally takes 3 to 4 hours. Depending on work load for that day, it could be less or could be longer.

As luck has it, I'm flying to Los Angeles next week. I'm going to choose Option B. I'll post the results of the out-come of Option B.

I really wish Canon (and others) could come up with some system to certify local retailers to do sensor cleaning. It's the kind of thing that is not really a repair, but does require a degree of knowledge, skill and equipment. I have done wet swab cleanings myself, but really do not enjoy doing it and find it takes multiple attempts, with a fair amount of perspiration and worry.

Currently my nearest Canon Service center is on the other side of the Rockies, in Alberta. I'm in greater Vancouver, the major metropolitan area on the west coast of Canada, and there is no Service Center in this province. It's seems rediculous to have to ship a camera to another province to get a professional cleaning.

I also live very near the Irvine, CA service center and they have cleaned the sensor on my 5D, 20D and 40D (walk-in) free of charge. Both times I dropped off in the morning and picked up in the evening. As Sinh mentioned, there are some great reading materials on the table if you choose to wait.

I have cleaned them myself, when I was in the field but when I'm home I see no reason to do it myself. The cleaning swabs are expensive and no matter what anyone says about how easy it is, there is some inherent risk to the procedure. Why not let Canon do it for free and be responsible for any mishaps? Not to mention that they perform the cleaning in a clean-room and also clean the mirror.

"...they perform the cleaning in a clean-room..." ----- Sorry, but I have a hard time believing that. What would be the point? As soon as you take your first shot, out goes the clean-room experience. Besides, Canon cameras aren't even assembled in clean rooms.

I think it's easier and quicker to clean it yourself than take it in -- even if you live in Irvine.

"I think it's easier and quicker to clean it yourself than take it in -- even if you live in Irvine."

It is quick and easy to clean it yourself, however it is not free of risk or investment.

I agree that the clean-room seems unlikely, but that's what I was told (by someone at the Canon Service Center). He most likely meant a clean room, not a clean-room. It is certainly possible that I misunderstood. My sensors were sure clean, though and they did the firmware update as well ;)

I agree with both Jim & Jeff.

If Canon is going to offer the service for free or even if they charged me $ 35.00 for a walk in, it would be worth it to me.

When I do walk in, I'm going to ask if I could watch the tech to see how he/she performs this service. What materials are needed, how to apply and perform this task. Then I can do it myself for a future date.

Canon, anyway of you posting a video on the Canon Website for the Canon Owner to perform this task for them themselves?

Just Google "sensor cleaning" - there are literally hundreds and hundreds of useful, step-by-step, idiot-proof guides out there, and it's no harder than tying shoe laces.

"and it's no harder than tying shoe laces"

For me it's a mite trickier ;)