MikeJ
Well-known member
Thanks, @ingweDave, I will check that out!
Best sensor cleaner?
- Thread starter MikeJ
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I've been using mine successfully for 10 years. I can understand people being nervous using the same item over again but provided you don't ever touch the filaments it works well. It uses static electricity by spinning the filaments and again after use spinning removes any particles. I would not use it if I thought anything on the sensor was not a loose particle. I have probably used it over 200 times, on a dozen cameras and will continue to do so. (BTW I have never changed the battery and it is quite a powerful spin!)
MikeJ
Well-known member
So do the filaments not actually touch the sensor? Or do you mean touching them with your hands, which makes sense.
The filaments touch the sensor and I apply a gentle pressure. This allows the filaments to spread to the width of the sensor, which I really like. I make a single pass and then spin the filaments again. Occasionally I repeat this in the opposite direction. (I have always given the sensor a blow first.) I have never touched the filaments with my fingers but they can be cleaned.
I'm lucky to have a great camera shop not too far from me, YM in Youngstown, OH. They've cleaned the sensor on a camera I had stopped using because of dust spots with stellar results.
Not A Speck Of Cereal
Well-known member
^ This. ^
Mike, remember this: you cleaning a piece of glass, not a sensor. There's always a piece of glass between you and the sensor. You should always take all of the recommended care, of course, but when you realize that you're not actually touching the sensor, that may take some of the pressure off.
So get a fresh bottle of Eclipse (if you find a bottle of their newer E2, do NOT buy it--it was a failed new product that should not be on the shelves anymore). Get the correct sized swabs for your sensor and consider keeping the used ones, which you can use to make new ones with fresh "pec pad" material.
- Use a blower first to see if that knocks the dust off
- Use only a drop or two of fluid
- Wipe the swab one direction, then then other. Once only, each direction.
Calson
Well-known member
For normal cleaning I use Eclipse cleaning solution which works very well and I have been using it for 20 years with no issues. When I had oil on the sensor from the shutter mechanism I needed to use the Visible Dust Smear-Away product but it also left a film behind that I needed to use Eclipse to remove.
I was using the Visible Dust V swabs but now there are equally good ones sold on Amazon at a fraction of the price. I use the full size swab and also the 1/4 inch wide ones for the corners. The particles are most visible at small apertures so I do test shots of the open sky at f/16 to check the sensor.
If with my DSLR cameras I sent them off to be cleaned by Nikon I would reduce my time with having the cameras available for shooting by more than 75%. I am much more careful with the cameras to minimize lens changes outside as much as possible. With my super telephoto lenses I use a lens carrier that allows me to have the camera mounted to the lens and not need to do this in the field. The shutter on the Z9 is a nice touch and much appreciated.
I was using the Visible Dust V swabs but now there are equally good ones sold on Amazon at a fraction of the price. I use the full size swab and also the 1/4 inch wide ones for the corners. The particles are most visible at small apertures so I do test shots of the open sky at f/16 to check the sensor.
If with my DSLR cameras I sent them off to be cleaned by Nikon I would reduce my time with having the cameras available for shooting by more than 75%. I am much more careful with the cameras to minimize lens changes outside as much as possible. With my super telephoto lenses I use a lens carrier that allows me to have the camera mounted to the lens and not need to do this in the field. The shutter on the Z9 is a nice touch and much appreciated.
Jack S.
Active member
Visible Dust kit, along with a good blow out with a rocket blower first. I also have an Eyelead gel stick which is really good at shifting what the Visible Dust kit can't move.
MikeJ
Well-known member
Thank you, @Not A Speck Of Cereal, @Calson and @Jack S. for all the good information! I have the Photographic Solutions Swab Ultra Kit (Type 2), which is sized for APS sized sensors, arriving Wednesday. So my days of cloning out dust in Gimp will hopefully soon be over!
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01ATS2FUA/?tag=backcogaller-20
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01ATS2FUA/?tag=backcogaller-20
Roy
Well-known member
I prefer to avoid dust. I carry 2 bodies and always change lenses facing downward...
Chiguy
Member
Rich I'm in the Chgo So Burbs there is a place called international Camera I have used them for sensor cleaning and had cameras repaired there. They do everything in house all brands of cameras and offer 5% discount if paid in cash and have fast turn around times. Located at 17 N Wabash Ave room 674 312-630-1017
Calson
Well-known member
My sensors can be clean today and pick up something tomorrow. Easier to do your own cleaning with V shaped swabs, 1/4" square tip swabs, and Eclipse cleaning solution. It takes less than 10 minutes per camera and the cost of the swabs has decreased dramatically over the years.
Anthony
Active member
I have used Eclipse and Pec Pads for many years. Nothing else has worked as well. Visible Dust solutions do not work for me, and the Arctic Butterfly is in a drawer somewhere in ignominious retirement.