Cleaning Sensor on Z9

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Alan Lesse

Alan Lesse

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I was fortunate enough to receive my Z9 and will be taking it with me for my first safari in August. Steve recommended the VSGO swabs and cleaning fluid in a video before the Z9 came out. Are there any videos demonstrating the proper way to clean a sensor? Are there special precautions with the Z9 sensor?
 
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I haven't seen anything specific to the Z9's sensor…and to be realistic the goodies that make it better than earlier sensors are mostly on the back side and away from where you clean…so I imagine the standard techniques in YouTube videos are the right answer.
 
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With my Fuji IBIS cameras you have to have the camera switched on when cleaning to lock the sensor. I seem to have in my mind that you don't have to do this with Nikon mirrorless cameras, but I'd check this if I were you.
 
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dabhand16 said:
With my Fuji IBIS cameras you have to have the camera switched on when cleaning to lock the sensor. I seem to have in my mind that youdon't have to do this with Nikon mirrorless cameras, but I'd check this if I were you.
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Nikon is the exact opposite of Fuji. You must have the camera turned off to lock the sensor. I’ve already cleaned my Z9 using swabs and Eclipse - just like any other Nikon. Google “nigel danson sensor cleaning” for a YouTube video on cleaning Nikon Z’s.
 
Warren D said:
Nikon says if the built-in sensor cleaning (shaker) doesn't work, to contact them (ie, send it to them for cleaning)
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I think every manual ever written for every camera brand says the same thing. I know my Canon does. A lot of folks still clean their own. Maybe it's a slight risk but as long as the ibis is locked and the sensor is exposed it probably might maybe be fine. For my Canon I use the J. Cristina premoistened swabs but I imagine all the systems are good if you follow the directions. I guess I'd just triple check that I knew what I was doing if doing it for the first time ever on a flagship camera.
 
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fcotterill said:
As recommended by Nikon, I stick with a blower to avoid touching the surface of sensors. I'm planning to invest in this device, which checks the sensor. The red LEDs with magnification reveal the real dirt. This should be a big help to pick up stubborn dust specks - Visible Dust Sensor Loupe
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Is there a dust sensor loupe available for mirrorless cameras? I believe the DLSR version due to the flange back distance differences (46.5mm compared to 16mm on Nikon) would not focus on the sensor for mirrorless cameras?
 
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Ad Astra said:
Is there a dust sensor loupe available for mirrorless cameras? I believe the DLSR version due to the flange back distance differences (46.5mm compared to 16mm on Nikon) would not focus on the sensor for mirrorless cameras?
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You can just hold the sensor loupe an inch or so above the camera and easily see the sensor in focus. Like you would use a magnifying glass. Or you can put an FTZ adapter on the camera and then put the sensor loupe up against the FTZ opening. I have not been able to find a sensor loupe designed specifically for the short flange distance of the Z cameras.
 
Ad Astra said:
Is there a dust sensor loupe available for mirrorless cameras? I believe the DLSR version due to the flange back distance differences (46.5mm compared to 16mm on Nikon) would not focus on the sensor for mirrorless cameras?
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Good question. It seems you could use your ftz adaptor to get the right distance, or just hold the loupe higher, or some have a gooseneck stand to hold the distance.
 
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Ad Astra said:
Is there a dust sensor loupe available for mirrorless cameras? I believe the DLSR version due to the flange back distance differences (46.5mm compared to 16mm on Nikon) would not focus on the sensor for mirrorless cameras?
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I use my loupe on my D850 and Fuji XT-4 cameras. I use it as I would a hand held magnifying glass, moving and tilting it to give different angles and different light from the LEDs.
 
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Alan Lesse said:
I was fortunate enough to receive my Z9 and will be taking it with me for my first safari in August. Steve recommended the VSGO swabs and cleaning fluid in a video before the Z9 came out. Are there any videos demonstrating the proper way to clean a sensor? Are there special precautions with the Z9 sensor?
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Avoid changing lenses in really dusty conditions.
An point the camera downwards if you must change lenses.
I'm spoilt - I carry 2 bodies to avoid too many lens changes...🦘
 
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Ad Astra said:
Is there a dust sensor loupe available for mirrorless cameras? I believe the DLSR version due to the flange back distance differences (46.5mm compared to 16mm on Nikon) would not focus on the sensor for mirrorless cameras?
Click to expand...

I've got a cheap loupe that I used on my Nikon D cameras. I also use it on my Fijis, the Sony a7ii that I had and my Nikon Z6ii. With the mirrorless cameras I don't find it hard to hold it a bit above the mount, in fact it is better than having it square on as tilting it in all directions makes it easier to see any specks.
 
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dabhand16 said:
I've got a cheap loupe that I used on my Nikon D cameras. I also use it on my Fijis, the Sony a7ii that I had and my Nikon Z6ii. With the mirrorless cameras I don't find it hard to hold it a bit above the mount, in fact it is better than having it square on as tilting it in all directions makes it easier to see any specks.
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Once the specks have been found, how do you extract them ?
 
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NicholasN said:
Once the specks have been found, how do you extract them ?
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If the specs are dust then face the camera down and use a blower (not a can)
Or if the specs are stuck to the sensor then a sensor wipe systems is needed.
Be gentle not to drag sand etc across the sensor causing scratches.
Its not as daunting as most people think because there is a piece of glass (an IR filter) protecting the sensor.
The biggest danger is leaving a mess on the sensor... 🦘
 
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Roy said:
If the specs are dust then face the camera down and use a blower (not a can)
Or if the specs are stuck to the sensor then a sensor wipe systems is needed.
Be gentle not to drag sand etc across the sensor causing scratches.
Its not as daunting as most people think because there is a piece of glass (an IR filter) protecting the sensor.
The biggest danger is leaving a mess on the sensor... 🦘
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I’ve left a mess before when cleaning my D850 and desperately tried to clean again and again till my swabs had run out hence I don’t know if the sensor on the Z9 is easier to clean or if I can clean it and what to use, is it any different and what can you recommend as using the blower did nothing ?
 
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If a blower doesn't work then the stuff is stuck on the sensors IR shield.
Several companies make swab wipe systems that clean the sensor in one motion.
They appear like a soft silicon paddle on a stick.
The trick is to be gentle enough not to scratch the glass.
I know its too late but changing lenses with the camera facing down helps avoid contamination... 🦘

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NicholasN said:
Which vsgo swabs and cleaner do you have a link ?
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I'm in the UK and get mine local to where I live:

SRB Photographic Search

Providing camera accessories, filters, tripods and more to all levels and types of photography since 1967. Check-out the SRB Photographic UK store today.
www.srb-photographic.co.uk www.srb-photographic.co.uk

They are readily available in most suppliers including Amazon.

Eclipse fluid is widely available. I think mine is a 60ml bottle that will last me forever.
 
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dabhand16 said:
I'm in the UK and get mine local to where I live:

SRB Photographic Search

Providing camera accessories, filters, tripods and more to all levels and types of photography since 1967. Check-out the SRB Photographic UK store today.
www.srb-photographic.co.uk www.srb-photographic.co.uk

They are readily available in most suppliers including Amazon.

Eclipse fluid is widely available. I think mine is a 60ml bottle that will last me forever.
Click to expand...
Does the liquid not get contaminated as I have some liquid from my d850 days or should I buy a new one as I heard the eclipse was not any good - which do you recommend and how many drops on the swab ?
 
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dabhand16 said:
I'm in the UK and get mine local to where I live:

SRB Photographic Search

Providing camera accessories, filters, tripods and more to all levels and types of photography since 1967. Check-out the SRB Photographic UK store today.
www.srb-photographic.co.uk www.srb-photographic.co.uk

They are readily available in most suppliers including Amazon.

Eclipse fluid is widely available. I think mine is a 60ml bottle that will last me forever.
Click to expand...
Is it this one

VSGO Full Frame Sensor Cleaning Kit + Solution​

 
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NicholasN said:
Does the liquid not get contaminated as I have some liquid from my d850 days or should I buy a new one as I heard the eclipse was not any good - which do you recommend and how many drops on the swab ?
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I'd get new liquid - better safe than sorry.
i believe the liquid should evaporate entirely unless you are using one of the scratch repair ones.
I'm using Zeiss liquid but its not cheap and probably not made by Zeiss anyway...🦘
 
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