Just curious at what point you guys would consider forking out for a service on an slr when it has stuck pixels? The 40D has a few that doing the manual cleaning trick doesnt seem to want to budge. I only shoot in raw and adobe bridge does a good job at automatically mapping out dead pixels in photos so its pretty much a none issue, but at a certain point Im guessing it becomes one.

yeah, also hit it with a hammer, no good ><

Yeah thats what Ive tried but not with the body cap on, len+lens cap, might be why its not working. Im not too worried as camera raw sorts them out, its just a little annoying. Its also more at the higher ISOs which is to be expected anyway. Iso 100 10s exposure = 1 stuck pixel, at 1so 1600 its about 16.

Ill give the method a go again when Ive been using the camera a bit as Ive also heard that its more effective when the sensor is "warmed".

If its dust then there are special DIY kits to clean cameras. I would certainly think of trying one.

Obvoius answer to dust is some sticky surfaces to attract the dust, like a box coated in vasline and only change lenses inside it. An electric Ion filter can quickly stick dust to the walls, so worth considering using one of them.

Also make sure you point the camera down before removing the old lens and keep it down while putting the new one on. If you arent going to be putting a new lens on for a while always put a camera body cap on.

Oh, and never sweep up the house. Use a Vacuum cleaner with a good filtration system, I find Dysons are pretty darn good. Dusting is only good for shifting the stuff around, unless you have one of the modern versions. even then you need to discard the dust outside of the house, or it will just settle elsewhere.