Attached Link: http://194.100.88.243/petteri/pont/How_to/a_Brush_Your_Sensor/a_Brush_Your_Sensor.html

1)In your post below, it sounds like you saw the "dust" while viewing through the lens....if so, the dust would not be on the ccd....more likely on the mirror. 2)To test your sensor for dust, try the following: a)Set your aperture to f16 or higher and take a shot of a nice clear blue sky...with 90% sky visible. b)rotate the camera 90 degrees clockwise from horizontal, same settings and take another 90% sky shot c)rotate the camera 90 degrees counterclockwise from horizontal, same settings and take another sky shot. By doing this you should get all parts of the sensor exposed to the bright sky with the 3 shots. If you have any dust issues....you will notice them immediately once you view these shots on the computer. 3)Yes, the dust can be blown out...sometimes...but you also risk blowing more dust into the chamber. 4)The dust on the sensor that creates the specks is NOT necessarily visible to the naked eye. 5)Even if you do get a "clean" camera from the store...it appears that you will ultimately be faced with self cleaning at some point down the road. 6)Several methods for sensor cleaning are out there....blowing, wet swabbing, and brushes....all with varying effectiveness. Check out the attached link for what appears to be a "home remedy" cost effective alternative to the expensive brushes. As always...do so at your own risk!

Wow.... I can't honestly beleive someone would be dumbass enough to pay nearly a hundred bucks for ANY type of cleaning brush!!! Especially without any guarentee to fall back on..... amazing - Barnum was SO right!!! (",)

Apparently the "hundred" buck brushes have been selling like hot cakes! It seems that they do work...so...I guess people are happy that they solve their dust problems. But, it is also nice to see that the "right" type of cheaper (<$10) brush seems to be just as effective.

You're just trying to make me dizzy all that 90 spinning.Will fall down and break the camera. Seriously though when we were checking the lens and the mirror we even wiped both with a cleaner.That is why it was determined the ccd was dusty. I believe now the tiny spot I see is on mirror. Which I am told never to touch. Not sure how someone could possibly clean them without wiping with proper cloth or chamois. Co2 kit is $29. You are right that I fear blowing more dust in. I am not going to really worry too much anymore,because there will be times that I will have to change up in a spur of moment , no matter where I am. I go out everywhere now with both the D70 and 8700 so my lens changes can be kept down. Thanks for link.

What you see thru the viewfinder is NOT indicative of what may or may not be on the sensor....remember when viewing thru the viewfinder, you see thru the lens, reflected up via the mirror. The mirror flips up to expose the ccd when you take a shot. Be careful with CO2 or compressed air for blowing...some have experienced fluid (propellant) coming out and ending up on the sensor. Also remember that dust may get in even without lens changes....using a zoom lens creates a pump like action that will suck air into the camera's chamber(according to Nikon). Sorry about you getting dizzy....LOL...but it's a good, quick way to check for those "dust bunnies".

My advice, give up on the D70 and get the new Olympus E300 Evolt with the new (for digital prosumer cameras) dust elimination technology. ;] This was taken from the DPreview site: "It is virtually impossible to prevent dust entering an SLR when swapping lenses, but even minute particles can ruin shots if they land on the CCD. The E-300 offers an ingenious solution, which saves users the time and cost of cleaning the chip. The Supersonic Wave Filter generates ultra-high-speed vibrations to dislodge dust from the CCD so that it can be captured on a special adhesive panel. This function operates automatically at start-up, but may also be used manually."

Dust on the sensor seems to be a problem we have to live with I know Jim had problems on the larger sensor on the 1DmK 11 a good puff from a Gioto Rocket Blower has kept my 1OD spotless and I dont fancy risking brushing the sensor and otherwise a trip to the local specialist can be expensive I believe that the blower is a great solution it also gets rid of dust on the mirror which can be another irritation Some good points by gradient I try and do it as little as possible and Ihave been able to clear the sensor without locking the mirroe up which can cause more dust to enter the inner workings no doubt the static on the sensor is the cause and would like to see more cameras with the Olympus solution

Might sound like a stupid idea,but what I thought of was carefully holding the end of the vacuum cleaner nozzle in the opening of the camera.Pretty powerful suction,could do the trick...????hmmmmmm you think?

Hmmm, not a bad idea, though sounds like it could be tricky. Combine that with some blasts of canned air and the vacuum to suck out the dust and you may be on to something. (evolt, evolt)

One last comment....do some research on the Olympus as well before purchase. It may not be the ideal solution either...apparently the "ultrasonic" cleaner actually shakes the sensor....which if you think about it is NOT a good thing! There have been reports of focus issues and even sensor tilt issues. In some cases the sensor does not return to its precise position after the "shake". Just some more food for thought. @dBgrafix....I wouldn't advise the vacuum trick....it's been tried with some horror stories... @danob...yes, many have had good experience with the Giotto rocket blower...it seems to work in most cases.

Ok, here is the scoop on DSLR dust. All will get dust on the sensor. All will need cleaning. No buts, ands or ifs about it. As been said use a blub blower like the Rocket or got to your local Wal-Greens and get one of those blubs used to clean out baby's ears. Hold you camera upside down, and puff several air blasts. This will clean your sensor 95% of the time. I have used the Sensor Swabs and had no trouble with them. I have only had to do this twice, as blowing the dust out has been sufficient. The E-volt is turning out not to be so great at self cleaning, I have no personal experience, just from what I have read on-line. The sensor while a very sensitive piece of electronics, is not so fragile as most people make out. If you have to clean with other than air, just use one of the brush methods, take your time and all will be clean. Do not use can air, vacuums or other methods as been said they have been reports of damage. Can't remember what is bad about the vacuum though