Mini Visible Dust Sensor Cleaning Kit Review

Sensor cleaning is a touchy subject and also a necessary task for any nature photographer. Lens changing is the main cause of sensor contamination.  The sensor's static charge will attract dust particles which become attached to the surface of the glass filters of the sensor. Dust and dirt particles are visible when shooting a subject that is lighter than midtones and can cost time in photo editing or ruin a shot where editing is not possible. Often, small oil drops from the reflex action of the mirror and shutter can also be problematic.  The photo sensor on my K5 IIs suffered from what I call "sensor snot" which was a large dust particle that was firmly stuck on the sensor.  Blowing air and brushing failed to dislodge the substance. Sensor cleaning gel tools are often too sticky and can smudge or crack the anti-aliasing filter on the sensor.  I ordered 3 Sensor Cleaning Kit Mini manufactured by VisibleDust. Each mini kit comes with 2 sensor sized cleaning swabs, a single mini swab for removing edge dust, and 1 ml cleaning solution for just under 10 dollars.   Kits can be ordered with  either green MXD-100 Vswabs or orange DHAP Vswabs.  Kits are also available with Smear Away or VDust Plus cleaning solutions.  Initially, I used the green swabs with VDust plus which removed 90% of the dust and debris with the first swabbing. For baked on sensor snots or stains, I finished off the cleaning with  2 swabs impregnated with Smear Away.  Smear Away dissolves oil or grease stains which was the source of one of the more difficult to remove objects on my camera's sensor. Overall, I am very pleased with this product and the cleaning solutions worked flawlessly. Additional product information can be found at https://www.visibledust.com/.........................Jim

Thanks, Jim.  I've seen those products and wondered how they worked.  Usually I just get mine professionally cleaned once or twice a year.  There's an outfit in Oregon that sets up at our "Nature Photographers of the Pacific Northwest" semiannual meetings and cleans them during the meeting at a discounted price-works great as long as I'm not changing lenses much, but it would be nice to have a kit along on photo trips just in case.

Jim, I've been using the Visible Dust kits for a couple of years and have had nothing but GREAT results. I usually follow the same procedure that you describe, start with the milder solution, if that does not work go for Smear Away. And yes, usually it needs two passes, each time with a new swab. I keep the old swabs and use them to clean viewfinders and LCD screens. I always make sure to thoroughly blow away all dust with a Giotto "Rocket" before touching the sensor with the swabs. I'm all-mirrorless, and their sensors tend to get stained more than those in DSLRS, as they are more exposed. Especially the full-frame Sonys - I need to clean them about every other month or so. Visible Dust kits are not cheap, but I have never had any problem whatsoever. I would not use anything else, nor let anybody else touch my sensors. Once you lose the fear of touching the sensor it is a piece of cake 

I have also used Visible Dust kit for many years using above procedures.  No problems ever.  The magnifying sensor light in the kit reveals the smallest piece of dust remaining on the sensor.  Well worth the price and pays for itself quickly if one changes lenses frequently.

I have also used Visible Dust kit for many years using above procedures.  No problems ever.  The magnifying sensor light in the kit reveals the smallest piece of dust remaining on the sensor.  Well worth the price and pays for itself quickly if one changes lenses frequently.

I use them as well.  Indespensible.
Sandy