I have seen a product in the current Speed Graphic catalogue about a Canadian product called Visible Dust. This is a spinning device that spins brushes of different sizes to charhe them. Once charged, the brush is gently brushed across the sensor to attrach and remove any particles. The attraction for me is that there are fluids to be used, hence easier to use.
Has anyone used this and any comments please.
Hari
Posted by Grace Blair on July 29, 2006 at 10:00 AM
I haven't used that after reading reports of difficulties with it. On a recent trip to the Galapagos Islands I used the Lens Pen and was thrilled with it. I kept the large one for cleaning the lenses and the small reserved for sensor cleaning. Very effective, easy to use and easy to carry around. At this point I haven't seen any reports of probems if it is used as recommended. Also, the price is right.
Posted by Scott Elliot on July 30, 2006 at 1:06 AM
I have used the Visible Dust sensor cleaner several times when the blower bulb would not remove dust. I have been very happy with it.
One time there appeared to be a spot from a liquid that had evaporated on the sensor leaving a deposit that would not brush off, even with the Visible Dust mechanism. I cleaned that off with the Visible dust solvent and sterile sensor swabs.
As I recall the info on the visible dust product was on the forum over at Luminous Landscape. You could probably go to the forum (now owned by someone else) and do a search. I got the lens pens from NPN, here. There is a big blurb on Art Morris's site (Birds As Art) about the advantages of the Lens Pen, but of course he wants you to purchase his "directions for use" for several dollars too. It is just common sense info... follow directions that come with your camera for sensor cleaning, save a particular pen for the sensor cleaning only and use a different pen for lens cleaning, be gentle with the cleaning, use blower before using the lens pen for cleaning, don't use canned air or your breath to blow on the sensor...
As I remember there were several people using the Visible Dust product who found that it left particles on the sensor and most felt that the price was way too high. I believe there were about 10 or 15 posts on the topic about a year ago.
I made my own brush. It cost $4 at an art store. You have to make sure and wash them a bunch of times to remove any glue, but once they are clean they work fantastic. You do have to be very careful and only brush the sensor. I stupidly thought why not brush down the insides as well. In the process I picked up an oily residue and transfered it to the sensor. It came off with pec pads and eclipse fluid, but was a pain in the rear. I feel the commercial brushes are way over priced and don't mind making my own. Others like the piece of mind, buying the commercial brushes. But when you boil it down, touching the glass plate lightly with a brush seems so much less destructive than running a swab across it.
Discussion
7 repliesHas anyone used this and any comments please.
Hari
Can you tell mre where you got your lens pen from please.
Thanks
Ian
One time there appeared to be a spot from a liquid that had evaporated on the sensor leaving a deposit that would not brush off, even with the Visible Dust mechanism. I cleaned that off with the Visible dust solvent and sterile sensor swabs.
Their products are expensive, but seem to work.
As I remember there were several people using the Visible Dust product who found that it left particles on the sensor and most felt that the price was way too high. I believe there were about 10 or 15 posts on the topic about a year ago.