Sensor Cleaning Swabs - Best quality/best prices?

Naboo32

Naboo32

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Andy
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I bought a sensor cleaning kit a year or so ago (can't remember the brand now, but the swabs for a full-frame sensor have bright green plastic handles :thinking:), which came with about 5 swabs. I've used all but one of them already, as I had an oily smear, which needed two swabs to remove :( and have performed a couple of regular cleans since.

Consequently, I'm in the market for more swabs and some more cleaning fluid. Quite simply though, I'm shocked at the ridiculously high prices of these kits :eek: and am wondering if anyone out there can recommend a more affordable way to but a dozen or so swabs and enough cleaning fluid for a dozen cleans :shrug:!?
 
Roll your own from Dust Aid.

Actually call up Just and ask if they have the micro fibre upgrade cloths. Worth the extra.
 
markmullen said:
I use Visible Dust green swabs, the ones you mention, with their VDust formula. I didn't get on with the orange swabs.

Although they're expensive they're a known quality which when you've got the potential to damage your camera using them I think is important.
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Of course, Visible Dust, that's who made them ;).

I take your point about them being a 'known quantity' and I wouldn't risk using anything unproven on my D700's sensor. It's just that I'm starting to need a lot more sensor cleans since switching to mostly prime lenses and shooting at really silly little apertures more often (like f/11-16 :D) - now there's more dust getting in and it's showing more.

JonathanRyan said:
Roll your own from Dust Aid.

Actually call up Just and ask if they have the micro fibre upgrade cloths. Worth the extra.
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Ah, these look interesting Jonathan :naughty:, thanks!

A little pricey to begin with, but the fact that I can use them on both of my DSLRs and that the kit comes with a lot more fluid than the Visible Dust kit.

Yep, might have to read some reviews and invest in one of these. If Thom Hogan endorses it, it's probably good enough for me :thumbs:.

Cheers gents!
 
What is this passion for cleaning the sensor, to date in the past twelve years I have never cleaned nor seen a need to clean the sensor and I have only owned Three DSLRs in that time so they have had plenty of time if needed.

I do change lenses in the field, literally, on streets etc, perhaps I am just fortunate and no there is no dust in my photos.
 
JSER said:
I do change lenses in the field, literally, on streets etc, perhaps I am just fortunate and no there is no dust in my photos.
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Or you don't shoot with small apertures. Dust mites are only visible (generally) f8/f11 upwards and typically only visible on particular objects such as darker blue skies.

You will have them, you just haven't noticed them.
 
I've seen some people effected by dust on the sensor so guess it's not a bad practice to clean them. My last two cameras have had sensor cleaning functions, which I assume are just a series of vibrations intended to shake any dust off. My latest is mirrorless so perhaps more susceptible to dust, perhaps I should invest in a cleaning kit next time I'm traveling.
 
the dust aid are very good(i have it , but its worth getting the micro fibre cloths as they dont brake up.
i also have the dust aid stick thing which is naf in my op,
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dust-Aid-...896?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item4cf96c6480

here where i got my kit which comes with 50 cloths.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dust-Aid-...a_Cleaning_Equipment_Kits&hash=item1e68a6fc95
and 50 more the same are £9.99(lose fibres)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dust-Aid-...a_Cleaning_Equipment_Kits&hash=item4cf6be00a9
but these one are the better ones 50 is £24.99(dont lose fibres)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dust-Aid-...a_Cleaning_Equipment_Kits&hash=item35b1a0aacc
 
JSER said:
What is this passion for cleaning the sensor, to date in the past twelve years I have never cleaned nor seen a need to clean the sensor and I have only owned Three DSLRs in that time so they have had plenty of time if needed.

I do change lenses in the field, literally, on streets etc, perhaps I am just fortunate and no there is no dust in my photos.
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It depends what you use your camera for. Shoot portraits at wide apertures and the likelihood is you'll never see the dust.

I shoot landscapes, mostly at small apertures for big DoF and in a light sky really see dust bunnies. I have to clean my sensors quite regularly, or if not spend ages in PP cloning them out.
 
JSER said:
What is this passion for cleaning the sensor, to date in the past twelve years I have never cleaned nor seen a need to clean the sensor and I have only owned Three DSLRs in that time so they have had plenty of time if needed.

I do change lenses in the field, literally, on streets etc, perhaps I am just fortunate and no there is no dust in my photos.
Click to expand...

Try a macro lens or tubes - then you'll see the tiniest spots.

.
 
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