Canon 5D Sensor Cleaning Advice

Months ago when the 5D was a dream for me, I had searched and read many methods that folks used to clean the sensor, even one fella that ruined his with a supposedly safe commercial product.

So as of 3 weeks ago my dream is now real, and even with quick and careful (and minimal) lens changes, several dust bunnies have made a home on my 5D's sensor.

Any suggestions as to what's a safe and effective way to clean the 5D sensor? I do have access to a class 100 cleanroom at my place of work, so I can bring the body in there (virtually dust free environment). Can I just use a blower bulb in the cleanroom, or will I jettison the dust balls elsewhere in the body?

Any experience/advice will be MUCH appreciated!

I used Dust Aid on my 5D with no ill-effect but I have heard that some of them were released with more sensitive coating and could be damaged. A blower is the least risky method although as you mentioned it will likely just blow the dust to other areas int he camera and it might end back on the sensor at a later time.

I approach sensor dust in terms of "good enough". I just accept that there will always be some amount of it I'll need to clone out. I therefore only clean the sensor every month or so or after long trips.

Guy

Paul, I have the 5D too, and I don't worry too much about it. I use the manual blower, and blow air onto the sensor with the camera held upside down and mirror locked up.

Obviously more dust will settle inside sooner than later, but of course photoshop is your second line of defense ...

Good advice (both of you). I guess sensor spots are just more annoyance than anything, because Photoshop can so easily knock 'em out. That's it then... I'll gently blow the dust out while in the cleanroom from time to time (once a month or longer), and just deal with any spots in PS. The 5D is too new in my life to start putting any cleaners/chemicals on that wonderful sensor! ;-)

Thanks.

You really won't need the cleanroom to blower out the sensor. Chances are that any environment you are changing lenses in will be far, far dustier and the cumulative effect is far worse (not bad worse, just dustier worse).

The blower bulb is the easiest, fastest and safest starting point. The Dustaid is supposed to be a good product, but I have never used it. I have been using the Sensor Swabs product from Photographic Solutions, along with their reccommended fluid products when the dust bunnies on the sensor begin to mutate to dust rhinos

By the way, there are two things you should never do. First, never use compressed canned air. You will eventually shoot a glob of the propellant out and onto your sensor, effectively ending its life early. Second, don't blow on it. There will be enough little spittle spray droplets moving with the air that things will only get worse.

Thanks Dan. I hear ya on the canned air and blowing on the sensor. Garlic goes well on many things, but not CMOS sensors.

I feel your pain--i actually had to send mine back to the svc center since some specks adhered to the filter and couldnt be blown off. Supposedly Eclipse 2 is the preferred wet clean method, but i wasnt about to mess with swabs while under warranty. So, now i just accept the fact that the thing is a dust magnet.

I used to worry about sensor cleaning but it's pretty much second nature now. There is a product called Visible Dust Arctic Butterfly that works very well for loose dust. For welded on dust you will need a wet cleaning and as mentioned, Eclipse is the best by far. I'd much rather keep the sensor clean than have to spend time doing post processing.

Carson, I admit I'm reluctant like Stan is, to use a chemical on the sensor. But, have you used Eclipse repeatedly on a 5D? And with no issues?

I've used it several times not sure of the exact number. However my first try is always the arctic butterfly and usually that is all it needs. I do wish that someone would invent a sensor that wasn't a dust magnet but I'm not holding my breath. One other thing that I don't remember if I've seen in these forums is, ALWAYS turn of the camera before changing the lens, that removes at least some or the charge on the sensor.