Camera/digital sensor cleaning

I have the D50 and I use it mostly in the outdoors, getting a little bit dirty although I try hard to keep the dirt away from it. I also ride with it in my backpack a lot. I've had it for about a year and a half and it has been great, but now I am seeing spots showing up in my photos, always in the same places, and it doesnt matter what lens I use (so it's not something on the lens). I can see some stuff there when I look through the viewfinder. I cleaned the mirror inside the body but that didn't do much, and also around the viewfinder on the inside of the camera. I think it's time that I give my camera, probably the sensor, a good cleaning to get ready for the busy summer season. Can someone tell me how to go about doing this, tips, or what I should do? Something I can do myself or not? (I prefer to do things myself when I can)

As an example, you can see a few spots in the upper right section of this photo I took a few days ago:
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...unsettree3.jpg

Thanks.

Theres a function in the menu called mirror lock up. It holds the mirror up exposing the sensor so you can clean it. I bought an ear syringe at the drugstore for $5 and it works great.
There are swabs for wiping the sensor but I' never had to go that far. check these threads for more info.
http://forums.photographyreview.com/...earchid=264035

If you have spots on your pictures then it won't be from dust in the viewfinder or on the mirror. These elements are out of the way when the picture is taken. It's almost certainly on the sensor.

If your camera is still under guarantee then you can take it to Nikon in for a free clean (at least you can in France).

Otherwise :

1. Buy yourself some sensor swabs (of exactly the right dimensions) and some cleaning fluid
2. Read the instructions several times
3. Do a test shot of a blank surface at f16 to see what the state of your sensor is
4. Activate the mirror lock-up option
5. Take a deep breath and do the sensor swab thing. It's not that hard.
6. Do another test shot and check if the situation has improved

It's not an operation that requires doing often. To avoid getting dust, try to change lenses as little as possible, in dust-free situations with no wind and with the camera pointing downwards.

Charles

cleaning sensor: sir, you have suggested some measures that may be tried upon the SLRs. but, in my opinion even the best company's prosumer camera sensor can possibly gether dust inside the camera though it is a closed body. howver, as per my knowledge, dust is such a thing(can call fungus) which as time passes, can be slightly deposited on the sensor, which may show up when photographing on a stage in dark background. when printed white spots were visible more on the darker areas. i would like to ask the experts that if such things happen with good prosumer cameras, shd the camera need be opened but who will do this task. as the humidity enters everywhere so the dust or fungus which may hinder taking sharpest photographs, since in the market only digital SLR and DPCs throng the showcases and as a second camera or price being prohibiting, photographers may opt for a prosumer camera, now in 8/10 megapixel range. some fellow pros.or company engineers may suggest something satisfactory. this reminds me of few years back when i was using film, if i was using another camera, slight dust particals will settle doen on the film of previous camera lying unused for a little bit long time. i am afraid the sensors are more sensitive when god knows what happens if the dust particals/fungus due to continuous rains/humidity disturbs the sensor surface. thanks.

already written just now on camera/digital cleaning. pl show me my post and include in yr list and in my profile.