Sensor dust removal unsuccessful

shogran

shogran

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Josh
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Hey guys,

I've had a problem with sensor dust for a while now, so I decided to buy the Eclipse cleaning kit. It arrived and I used it earlier after reading the instructions through twice. I did everything exactly as it said, and still had dust in test shots. I decided it may just be stuck more than I thought or my first pass was too timid, so I repeated the process with a fresh swab and still had dust in the shots. I still have two swabs to use but wanted to get advice here before wasting them. If anything there seems to be MORE dust now.. Does anyone have experience using this kit or can anyone offer any advice as to the best technique to remove the dust? Below are before and after shots.

Thanks in advance!

Before:


Sensor Dust Before by Josh Graham Photography, on Flickr

After:


Sensor Dust After by Josh Graham Photography, on Flickr
 
Only local shop to me is Jessops, and no body seems quick to reccomend their sensor cleaning on here.. I'm down in Redruth, Cornwall if any one can reccomend anyone? Places like Truro and Falmouth are easily reachable, just a bit gutted that this cost me £25
 
shogran said:
Only local shop to me is Jessops, and no body seems quick to reccomend their sensor cleaning on here.. I'm down in Redruth, Cornwall if any one can reccomend anyone? Places like Truro and Falmouth are easily reachable, just a bit gutted that this cost me £25
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Couple hundred quid on a camera i would think £25 quid to fix the problem is well worth the money
 
Josh read all of this LINK, I found it useful.

First time I did my D80 years ago, it took about five swabs, the next time I did it, only used two.
 
I think it's best to keep trying until you get the hang of it and once you do it really isn't difficult.

I clean mine (done it lots and ots of times) with a Prc pad wrapped around a slice cut from a credit card, and just a drop of Eclipse fluid.

Just keep at it and you'll get there.
 
I've used 20 swabs on my d700 and it's still pretty dirty in the corners. Tried the lens pen too and that didn't work. Spent about £60 so far so going to give up and get it done properly as soon as I can.
 
TCR4x4 said:
I've used 20 swabs on my d700 and it's still pretty dirty in the corners. Tried the lens pen too and that didn't work. Spent about £60 so far so going to give up and get it done properly as soon as I can.
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I sent my camera away with dust spots and it came back with dust spots, all they did was move them around. Since I've started doing it properly myself I've saved both time and money and it's done properly.
 
I think it's the swabs I bought. They weren't quite the right size even though they were advertised as full frame and won't reach the corners. So now I have filthy corners and a spotless middle.
 
Thanks for the advice and links guys, I've attempted once more and there is less, but the two darker ones on the left of images are still there and only slightly less dark... Is there any chance they are not dust? Or would sensor damage be less... round?
 
I've had more success using a lens pen sensorklear that I ever have with swabs and fluid.
 
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shogran said:
Thanks for the advice and links guys, I've attempted once more and there is less, but the two darker ones on the left of images are still there and only slightly less dark... Is there any chance they are not dust? Or would sensor damage be less... round?
Click to expand...

Sometimes it can be pollen which can stick like ****** to a blanket [ who finds out these things? ]. But it can be moved. The whole process takes a bit of practice, and experimentation with different cleaning methods and tools. As for corners, you can either get special corner cleaning swabs, or use the corners of standard ones.

You can keep costs down by using a rocket blower, getting your swabs from good sources, making them yourself, and even cleaning your used ones if you have the will. Yes, there are some who will shriek with girly horror at this. But then there are some who call an electrician to change a plug.

All it takes is practice and a pinch of confidence that needs to grow. Yes, you can spend £25+ a time having it done at a shop, and have the dust back the same day. When you've spent enough on cleaning to be well on your way to a new camera, then you'll look seriously at the DIY approach and discover how much money you've wasted.

If you intend to settle in to the DIY way, then probably the best tool to help you is a Visible Dust Sensor Loupe. When I got mine the Delkin ones weren't as good.
 
A friend cleaned the one from my D80 using a Lenspen Sensorklear, had to be done twice to get the stubborn dirt out.

Might be worth getting one before taking the camera in to a shop.
 
getting on for 5 years ago now that I did this thread on sensor cleaning but it still works for me. Camera is now a 5D2 but I'm still using the original supplies bought when I wrote it up. E2 fluid of course instead of the original eclipse.
 
Excellent feedback ladies and gentlemen, I shall have another crack at it later, and possilby invest in a SensorKleaner pen, was looking at them before the swabs! Will try DIY swabs as well I think, save some money!
 
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