To self clean or send away / when to have lenses professionally serviced?

[JeremyMcG]

Having only been into digital photography for about a year or so now, I'm a bit nervous about cleaning my image sensor for the first time and am wondering if I should send the camera off for a professional cleaning (I don't like not being without the camera) or do it my self (I don't want to dork it up.) And no, there is no current need to clean the image sensor, but I want to know for when it's actually time to do so...

And what is the absolute most reliable kit to clean the image sensor on a D5200?

Also, being on a budget has actually been a bit more expensive than I had planned.
I've purchased all of the lenses in my sig used. Some from eBay and the rest from Adorama.
I have recently sent off my 55-200 to a Nikon service repair center as I had a tripod failure and watched my lens (and camera) bounce and break the bayonet mount - I decided to send off my 18-55 at the same time to have it professionally cleaned and refurbished as it was purchased used, when I got the quote back, I "suppose" I was lucky in sending it as they are basically having to rebuild the entire lens...

When do you send back your lenses for professional cleaning/servicing?
Is there any benefit in sending them to a Nikon Authorized service center vs. sending direct to Nikon?

Thanks

 

[D-B-J]

I self cleaned my D7000. It worked well enough, but stressed me out. I plan on sending my D800 to the local shop and let them handle it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[KmH]

You don't actually clean the image sensor.
You clean the filter array that is in front of the image sensor.
If it doesn't need it, don't clean it.
Most times just turning on the image sensor self-cleaning feature in the camera was sufficient to negate me having to clean the image sensor.

https://www.bing.com/search?setmkt=en-US&q=How+to+clean+your+image+sensor

There are lots of online videos that show how to do it.
Use the proper tools and use care. It's a simple, straightforward and routine maintenance task.

My cameras went to Nikon on a regular rotating basis such that they each got a CLA (clean, lube, adjust) once a year.
Many neglect to clean the window above the auto focus module that is at the back bottom of the mirror box and the focusing screen in the top front of the mirror box..

 

[pjaye]

I clean all three of our cameras and all our lenses. We shoot mostly outdoors and zoos. My lenses often have animal spit on them. I had an errant goat try to bite my lens the other day!

Its not difficult I have the lens pro cleaning kiits for the lens and sensor. The sensor one comes with the loupe. Worth every penny.