Actually, this is incorrect. With Canon bodies they simply map it out
in software, which uses the values of adjacent pixels to reproduce
something reasonable to replace the hot/dead pixel. With the 5D the
remapping is quietly done when you select "clean sensor"; with other
models it needs to be done at a service centre.

My 1DsII now has 3 hot (red) pixels which didn't exist when I first
purchased it... accumulating dead or hot pixels over time is just
another part of digital life.

The air is to electrostaticly charge the brush, not blast at the sensor!

Sandy, have you considered that you are doing the wrong thing, not Canon?
Though it's fair to expect to get a ‘reasonably’ clean camera back from Canon,
you are unreasonable in your expectation that the sensor would stay clean for
any period of time.

Do you NOT accept that dust is a fact of life with large apertures and
digital cameras, ie the way you are using the camera?

You've seen for your self that a camera cleaned on many different occasions
comes back with dust so why are you trying to do something that is
intrinsically not practical.

Product shooters that I know use medium format with digital backs, the
advantage of which is easy sensor cleaning. Even so you can never remove all
the dust.

Why don't you consider the Olympus, I've never used it myself but it may be
better suited to your specific need, even if not for other uses you may have.

JJ

Cant complain with Nikon service. They gave me a D2X to use while I waited a
while for a D200 that I ordered.

I needed a new sensor for one of my D70's, again a camera to replace it with
while they changed the sensor (Sensor was free), and it took only 4 days to
get the parts and fix..

I once tried to get a focus point LED fixed on my canon gear.. after 6 weeks
I gave up.

Hi,

yes I used their pro section. Still did not help.

The only thing that helped was sending the managing director a sarcastic
get well card/poem and asked him to read it to the camer to lift its
spirits... Got his attention, but still took a month after that to get
it back, still with two spots of dust in a brand spanking new sensor...

Mind you the first card/poem did not do the trick

Ode to an absent Friend/Camera.

Oh’ 20D, for where – out - thou
    I’m lost, bereft, without you now.
You buttons I so long to press,
    My cheek pines your LCD’s caress

I wonder what’s become your fate,
    Reports of you have come so late.
Arrival here, now postulate.

Laid low by little specks of dust,
    The tripod, mate, now starts to rust.
Your gift in RAW was heaven sent,
    Now, flash card lies here, lifeless, spent.!

I dream my loss an apparition,
    thoughts finders-view now cloud my vision,
Malaise twill go must be my mission.

Your friend, the flash now sits and waits,
    Its batteries charged, just for you, mate.

O’ spirits great, I beseech of you,
    Holy intervention in ‘repairs’ que.
Decembers parting, now long past,
    Pray “gods of silicon” this will not last.

Each day, I now reflect on you,
    Lyrical’s Waxed as to my view.
High resolution all I lust,
    Sweet lovely pixels – minus dust.

Photoshop now seems dank and slow,
    with Bridge’ no ranks for me to show.

In mornful cry, I shout the refrain,
    “gott straffe the dust” that caused your pain.

My 20D, the friend I’ve lost,
    It’s Time - not pain has been my cost.
Lack of your presence, mate, leaves me poor,
    Thank god, t’was never dropped on floor…

O’ beloved little Canon do not fret,
    I have not bought a Nikon, yet….
If far too much you think I pun,
    Just ponder for me, tis’ been no fun…

But the second one realy made the Managing director laugh...

Ode to an absent 20D Camera 2.

Not dropped from high, Or crushed below.
No Strike, no bash, no shocking blow.
Still dry it is, and will remain,
    Not wet in floods, not drowned in rain.
Of all the trials Great Gods could send,
    Was trifling dust caused 20D’s end.

O’ 20D twas doomed from start,
    Your Box‘s seal was the safest part,
Regret I now have learned too late,
    Opening the box you came in sealed your fate.
Not safe out side for your birth Cocoon,
    Cosseted from dust the cardboard womb.

How cruels this world we live in is for sure,
    And tribulations that mankind endure.
So high our hopes in Technical Quality,
    But problems we create from what we cant see.

The enemy cruel, so hard to chase,
    It hides lurking in darkened inner-space,
Help-less be we so hard to mend,
    From things not seen till exposures end.
The stamp of Photoshop can not reclaim,
    The data lost to dusts cruel game.

Twith devotion’s care I treated 20D right.
    Synced-colour with love, till charged at night.
In dangers way, you’ve never been,
    Not out of sight I’ve let lens unseen.
What sin was mine, to share your fate,
    Deprived of a friend, so long I wait.
Bereft with out my digital friend,
    O’ when will 20D’s sad saga end.

In spirit broken, sad my eyes,
    Unframing, look to vivid skys.
Grandeurs sights now an unfixed scene,
    20D’s not there to catch their beam.
Colours bright do now O’ so offend,
    A torture with out my one-eyed friend.
In textures once both did delight,
    Exposures long into the night.

What immortal Fates made earthly blow,
    To cause the dust that laid you low.

My mistake I made, sending to repair,
    No parts were broke, you languish there.
OEM’s cant fix what isn’t broke,
    But can neither clean by mortal stroke..
They try futile, to wash your ‘face’,
    But merry you’ve led their tecks a chase.

Try they as may, but not as must,
    To eradicate the Devils Dust.

Damnation eternal’s not only in hell,
    It’s in hope waiting, for repairs as well.

My words for a friend does my pen fast roll.
    But time, and pain have wrung their toll,
        Soon ink will curdle to vitriol.

Regards, Sandy
Hon LM AIPP (and starving poet)