Sensor cleaning

amtaylor

amtaylor

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Can I get recommendations on cheap, safe and effective methods of cleaning sensors. Preferably easy as I haven't done it before and I have noticed a bit in my 5d. Not much as I've been careful but its there.
 
I use lenspen sensorklear on my d80.
 
sep9001 said:
I use lenspen sensorklear on my d80.
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I used a normal lenspen ages ago and I could not get my filters properly clean. Have they improved or was I just rubbish using it. I just found it left a residue and I don't want that when doing a sensor.
 
First of all try a rocket blower, cheap and effective. If that doesn't work it is probably best to go for a wet clean, (there is a really good tutorial in the tutorial section), like you I'm not too convinced by lens pens and wouldn't want one on my sensor.

I've got an Arctic Butterfly which I have used on my cropped sensor camera, but the brush is too small for FF, so it will be going on the classifieds when I get round to it.
 
Without the loupe. Not had and residue problems.
 
Just a thought - do you realy want a cheap cleaner for your rather expensive sensor?

Cheap has a nasty habbit of working out more expensive in the long run.
 
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I only meant relatively as I did say efficient and safe too. There are often cheap and expensive ways of doing exactly the same thing. If that's the case I would choose the cheaper option.
 
amtaylor said:
I only meant relatively as I did say efficient and safe too. There are often cheap and expensive ways of doing exactly the same thing. If that's the case I would choose the cheaper option.
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I always used a rocket blower and lenspen sensor cleaning pen if that wouldn't shift the dust, but had some really tough to shift spots recently. Turned out to be oil or something on the sensor of my D3 and I tried to scrub it with a swab. Don't do that. I got what looks like fine scratches on the filter that look like the coating is damaged. The good news is it doesn't show up in images, even f22 test shots of the sky. But it's made me wary of being quite so rough as I used to be.


Ive order a kit from these guys
http://www.copperhillimages.com/
which is much cheaper than buying an arctic butterfly and swabs. I bought the pre cut strip swabs, eclipse fluid, swab stick, and sensor brush. And they have good tutorials and tips on the website. I haven't received the kit yet but will let you know how it goes.

They do mention on that site that some technicians use canned air, but there is a right and wrong way to do it. The right way is to lock the camera down on a tripod, don't shake the can before use, and hold the thin nozzle with your spare hand so it doesn't flap about. Then give it short sharp bursts of air, not long sprays which can freeze stuff. I would be very careful if you decide to try this as you could damage the shutter, but it makes sense if care is observed. Ive always avoided canned air but can see how it might be useful.
 
I've tried a rocket blower - useless (just redistributed the dust), sable brush (left trails of yuk on the AA filter) and have now bought some Eclipse and swabs. First go with eclipse and swabs and everything is hunky dory :thumbs: I've also bought a flat artists brush which has (so far) been through 3 washes. I will use that in the future for dust - the swabs are very expensive for what they are - even if they do work...

As to Eclipse... I also have some industrial alcohol. On Saturday, I realised a filter had some contamination on. Tried to remove it with industrial alcohol, no dice. Eclipse just removed it first try....
 
In order -

Built-in cleaning routine.
Rocket Blower
Lenspen SensorKlean
Eclipse wet clean

In the past I would try each in turn, checking after each process. But since I've had my 7D I've never needed to go beyond stage 1.
 
Davo7 said:
Do Jessops do servicing?
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You would really trust a Jessop's employee to do your sensor cleaning? I don't think I'd trust most of them to find their own backsides without the aid of a map, a copy of Gray's Anatomy and a consultant proctologist.
 
hollis_f said:
You would really trust a Jessop's employee to do your sensor cleaning? I don't think I'd trust most of them to find their own backsides without the aid of a map, a copy of Gray's Anatomy and a consultant proctologist.
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:lol::lol::lol::lol:
 
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