Posted by Pete Etheridge on January 28, 2008 at 11:20 AM
Having been inspired by Guy at the conference to get out and take more landscapes, I've had to face the fact that the sensor on my 20D is filthy. Shot wide open there's no problem, but at f/16 it's another story!
So... for a first time sensor clean, what would you good folks advise in terms of products? I'm not adverse to getting it done professionally, but if I can acquire the skills to do it myself, that would be my preferred option.
Thanks in advance,
Pete
Posted by Dave Courtenay on January 28, 2008 at 11:45 AM
I use the Arctic Butterfly 724-brilliant-just dont go tight to the edges as this can drag oil out onto the sensor-if you do have oil/grease then you need to use swabs
Posted by Andy Astbury on January 28, 2008 at 11:49 AM
Hi Pete - to be honest I mainly use a blower and an Arctic Butterfly - WITH GREAT CARE!!!!!
If there's a well dug in dust bunny I get the ferret out, in the form of wet 'n dry sensor swabs and Eclipse, but I think in all the time I've had my D2Xs I have only used fluid and swabs once, as for the most part the Butterfly works well for me.
But you hear some real horror stories about the Butterfly, so you have to decide yourself - what works well for me might be bloody awful for you
Posted by Elliott Neep on January 28, 2008 at 12:07 PM
"But you hear some real horror stories about the Butterfly" - I haven't heard any... I've happily used the 724 for a over year on my 1DSmkII and 5D. No issues - works a treat. Just remember to clean the bristles regularly (they can get clogged with grease and dirt) and make sure they are perfectly dry before use. As with above comments - if it is stubborn grease spot then I use a swab.
If it is a first time clean and you have had the camera a while - I would have it done professionally. Let them get all the muck off and you can learn when there is only a little dust.
Posted by Paul Hillion on January 28, 2008 at 12:10 PM
I use a rocket blower every so often and that generally keeps things in order but like Andy if there's anything the blower can't move then I use a swab with some Eclipse fluid, with which I've never had any problems.
Posted by John Chapman on January 28, 2008 at 12:46 PM
Hi Pete I use a special Pen from Art Morris. It is cheap but I find it great especially for travelling.
Posted by Sean Bolton on January 28, 2008 at 1:13 PM
Hi Pete
I mainly use Sensor swabs and eclipse fluid. The cropped sensor cameras are easy to clean. I have never had a problem with this method, I have heard one or two horror stories of fluid getting under the sensor, but so long as you only dampen the swab it is fine.
I tried the Arctic Butterfly in my 5D. What a nightmare. oil and grease all over the sensor afterwards. Apparently the shutter has an oil coating which if you are not very careful about (especially with full frame sensors) the butterfly can pick it up and deposit it on the sensor. Cropped sensor might be easier to do.
regards
Sean
Posted by Andy Astbury on January 28, 2008 at 1:18 PM
John - I was wondering about those dry pens - would you recommend them then?
If it is still within warranty, Canon will do a 'one off' sensor clean free of charge.
steve
Posted by Paul Inglis on January 29, 2008 at 6:53 AM
Hi Pete,
Sensor Cleaning is the bane of the digital photographers’ life! I always work on the basis of ‘if it isn’t broke don’t fix it’. Anyhow I do clean my own sensor. I use a sensor loupe to check how dirty my sensor actually is and to check progress as I clean it (I find this is invaluable!).
I use a rocket blower for regular freeing of dust (Daily). For more stubborn dust I use the Artic Buttery 724 (But never and I’ll repeat that never go near the edge as oil will be picked up – The good news however is the dust tend to settle more in middle apposed to the very edge).
I do have a VisibleDust Bundle which is provided with various swabs for cleaning the mirror box and the sensor that has a really immovable dirt spot. I rarely do this mind – using the rocket blower regular really helps keep the sensor clean.
NOTE: Never use a brush on the sensor that has been used in the mirror box.
Posted by Mike Smith on January 29, 2008 at 8:06 AM
I've always used the dry static brush technique, I have never had oil fling or contamination problems - I have to clean my DsII every time I use it such is it's attraction to the dust bunnies
I am slightly wary of using any wet solvent technique, there is always scope for the fluid to seep between the AA filter and sensor - I have seen 3 DSLRS that have suffered this fate, it is a strip down and repair job if you do get fluid creep
That said now I 'm shooting mainly with the Oly E system, so dust bunnies is not a problem I suffer with now.
Posted by Jeroen Stel on January 30, 2008 at 11:36 AM
Hi Pete,
I allways use Sensor Swabs with Eclipse fluid and this works really easy and well!
Just make sure you get the right size of swabs!
Discussion
11 repliesSo... for a first time sensor clean, what would you good folks advise in terms of products? I'm not adverse to getting it done professionally, but if I can acquire the skills to do it myself, that would be my preferred option.
Thanks in advance,
Pete
If there's a well dug in dust bunny I get the ferret out, in the form of wet 'n dry sensor swabs and Eclipse, but I think in all the time I've had my D2Xs I have only used fluid and swabs once, as for the most part the Butterfly works well for me.
But you hear some real horror stories about the Butterfly, so you have to decide yourself - what works well for me might be bloody awful for you
If it is a first time clean and you have had the camera a while - I would have it done professionally. Let them get all the muck off and you can learn when there is only a little dust.
I mainly use Sensor swabs and eclipse fluid. The cropped sensor cameras are easy to clean. I have never had a problem with this method, I have heard one or two horror stories of fluid getting under the sensor, but so long as you only dampen the swab it is fine.
I tried the Arctic Butterfly in my 5D. What a nightmare. oil and grease all over the sensor afterwards. Apparently the shutter has an oil coating which if you are not very careful about (especially with full frame sensors) the butterfly can pick it up and deposit it on the sensor. Cropped sensor might be easier to do.
regards
Sean
steve
Sensor Cleaning is the bane of the digital photographers’ life! I always work on the basis of ‘if it isn’t broke don’t fix it’. Anyhow I do clean my own sensor. I use a sensor loupe to check how dirty my sensor actually is and to check progress as I clean it (I find this is invaluable!).
I use a rocket blower for regular freeing of dust (Daily). For more stubborn dust I use the Artic Buttery 724 (But never and I’ll repeat that never go near the edge as oil will be picked up – The good news however is the dust tend to settle more in middle apposed to the very edge).
I do have a VisibleDust Bundle which is provided with various swabs for cleaning the mirror box and the sensor that has a really immovable dirt spot. I rarely do this mind – using the rocket blower regular really helps keep the sensor clean.
NOTE: Never use a brush on the sensor that has been used in the mirror box.
I am slightly wary of using any wet solvent technique, there is always scope for the fluid to seep between the AA filter and sensor - I have seen 3 DSLRS that have suffered this fate, it is a strip down and repair job if you do get fluid creep
That said now I 'm shooting mainly with the Oly E system, so dust bunnies is not a problem I suffer with now.
I allways use Sensor Swabs with Eclipse fluid and this works really easy and well!
Just make sure you get the right size of swabs!
Greetings,
Jeroen Stel