[screemer]

I hope you can help me with a couple of questions regarding dirt on the sensor of my 40D. I've had the camera since September and have never changed the lens on it once. I have the sensor cleaning switched on so that when the camera is switched on and off it cleans the sensor. Today I was taking some pictures outside when I noticed a blob of dirt when looking through the viewfinder. Firstly, I thought that dirt could only get onto the sensor when you changed lenses, secondly does the sensor cleaning on the 40D not actually do much, and thirdly would you recommend I clean the sensor myself or give it to the professionals to do? I've never cleaned a sensor before, I had my D60 for a few years before I even noticed any dirt on the sensor.

Thanks for your help!

[jomike]

If you saw the dirt when looking through the viewfinder it is not on the sensor, but more likely on the mirror or the viewfinder. It should also not be visible on the photos. You can get yourself a rocket blower and blow off the mirror with the lens removed and the camera pointing down to prevent dirt falling on the sensor.

Mike