Sensor Cleaning

[dburanich]

I know this subject has been discussed many times here but I wanted to relay my recent experience.

I purchased the Copperhill system. The Copperhill website says they will give you the solution, holder and either pec pads or quick strips. My system came with quick strips which I notice leave some traces of lint when cleaning.
I know a lot of you here swear by the pec pads which I have only been able to find in 4" x 4" pads which means they would need to be cut down to size. My system came with quick strips which I notice leave some traces of lint when cleaning.

I decided to go on the B&H website to see what they offered in the different sizes of pec pads and the smallest I found was 4" x 4". I also noticed the following statement:

"Note! Pec-Pad's are not recommended for cleaning the CCD. It is not the same material used in the Sensor Swabs. PSI does not approve or warranty the CCD or any camera part from any damage caused by using non approved products"

Originally I was in search of a cleaning material that would not leave lint and I found this. Hope to hear some comments from other Café members as now I am really confused.

 

[seres]

I've been using the Visible Dust "V-Swabs" and have never experienced any lint problems.

 

[Nick7]

I think PecPads are the sheets. I use Sensor Swabs, though I thought they were the same material - http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=sensor+swab

I've never had any problems, but check you get the right size.

 

[dburanich]

Well I took a trip down to Samy's today and bought some pec pads. While I was there I also picked up this lens pen loupe kit. I did not need the blower or the lens pen but it was the only backlit loupe they had in stock.

http://www.samys.com/p/Cleaning-Kits/SKLK1/SKLK-1-SensorKlear-Loupe-Kit/117194.html

I just cleaned my sensor with the quick strips yesterday but when I put the loupe on it I was astonished to see how much was left behind that was not showing up on my test shots. I'm sold on this thing.

I then cleaned the sensor with the pec pad and made it even worse. Went back to the quick strip from Copperhill and was quite pleased with the result when using the loupe.

How many of you are using a loupe when you clean your sensor?

 

[seres]

....but when I put the loupe on it I was astonished to see how much was left behind that was not showing up on my test shots.....

I occasionally have smears, visible on very close inspecion with a lighted loupe after I clean, but they're not visible on any test shots. I just leave it alone, until I clean again.

 

[IsamuM]

Well I took a trip down to Samy's today and bought some pec pads. While I was there I also picked up this lens pen loupe kit. I did not need the blower or the lens pen but it was the only backlit loupe they had in stock.

http://www.samys.com/p/Cleaning-Kits/SKLK1/SKLK-1-SensorKlear-Loupe-Kit/117194.html

I just cleaned my sensor with the quick strips yesterday but when I put the loupe on it I was astonished to see how much was left behind that was not showing up on my test shots. I'm sold on this thing.

I then cleaned the sensor with the pec pad and made it even worse. Went back to the quick strip from Copperhill and was quite pleased with the result when using the loupe.

How many of you are using a loupe when you clean your sensor?

Hi Dave,

I use a loupe every time I clean my sensors. I find them essential.

One thing: That isn't a Lens Pen included with that kit. It's a Sensor Klear and I find them very convenient for cleaning sensors in the field and/or for cleaning really stubborn spots (e.g., lubricants, etc.).

 

[dburanich]

Isamu,

I tried the sensor klear pen on a plain piece of glass and noticed that it left a black film on the surface. Will this harm the sensor or does it come off?

 

[IsamuM]

Dave, it won't hurt the sensor. I believe its a special carbon compound that Lens Pen uses. I been using the Sensor Klear for years, and I know that the Nikon Service Center in Tokyo uses them, too.

 

[mrpalaviccini]

Neat topic, I always just use my blower, but I guess this is the way to go if it's really stuck in there!

 

[Terri French]

I am interested in this topic, too. Haven't had much problem with my D600, but I would like to know the best way to clean it. I would love it if everyone would tell what methods they like/don't like.

 

[Ronald M]

If the large rocket blower works, stop there. For me, the next step is Copperhill . I use eclipse and wrap the swab with whatever they supplied. I do the assembly.

Watch the video carefully to learn how to angle the brush going vertical as you go across,
move to other side, tilt 30 deg and repeat going back to the start side. Changing angle is important so a clean portion is always in contact, but they do not explain this.

Prevention is better than cure so use rear lens caps and keep the inside clean. Blow off the rear of lenses also. Change lenses in a manner to minimize open time. Blow out the mirror box with mirror up and down to get crud before it migrates to the sensor. Do after each outing.

I rarely get a dust particle problem.

Eclipse is not good to clean oil. Visible Dust makes a cleaner for that. I never had oil on Nikons or Leicas. Others not so fortunate.

I have gone years with a dust issue. So PREVENTION.

 

[gnagel]

… and let us know how you will be able to prevent inserting and pumping dust inside the chamber with zoom lenses

I think he addressed that in his helpful post..."Blow out the mirror box with mirror up and down to get crud before it migrates to the sensor. Do after each outing." This is effective and worked for me to help avoid having to resort to wet cleaning the sensor.

Glenn

 

[barry lloyd]

*** Dave mentioned using a Loupe to check a sensor is the best bit of kit you can get for this kind of work. I would even go as far as to say don't even attempt sensor cleaning without one, I have the Visible Dust version and well worth the money. Whatever you do Avoid a blower like the plague, it will only stir up more dust inside the camera body and make things twice as bad. Go for the Artic Butterfly instead and allow the static electricity that it builds up to "lift" any dust off a sensor.

Heavy particles are a different matter the swabs and cleaning fluid is the way to go. I do all my own sensor cleaning when necessary and avoid being without my camera and incurring posting and professional cleaning costs.

bazza

 

[gnagel]

yeah that really helps, if you do not use f-stops at 5.6 to larger …

What I liked to emphasis is that it is impossible to avoid ANY dust or speck on the sensor unless you clean the camera in a 100% clean room AND stay there!

and I am absolutely with Ronald that not cleaning the sensor with any liquid is often the best way to go.

I often shoot landscapes in difficult environments...so naturally I often shoot at f stops much higher than 5.6. I shoot in deserts, on the beach, in the forest, in snow storms, etc.

I shoot with a D800 and activate the auto cleaning feature. Of course, there are a few dust spots that usually need to be cloned out, but they are very manageable. I use a blower to keep the sensor clean when necessary and take it in for a professional cleaning every 12 to 18 months or so. Overall, dust has not been a major problem for me despite shooting in some challenging environments at narrow apertures.

Glenn

 

[Ronald M]

Oil comes from the shutter, not mirror and some Leica owners have had the problem. Fortunately not me.

I rarely use zooms, although I own them. If pumping dust were a problem for me, I would put a filter over the lens if the dust comes from the outside. If from the inside, the answer comes back to keeping the rear clean when off the camera. Naturally there is the multiple camera solution to keep from changing lenses. Pros have been doing this for decades.

All I can say is again , care is responsible. Certainly those who work in unfavorable conditions to get a pay check have to do what they have to do. I would rather clean the sensor than not eat. I am simply saying most of us can be careful and avoid most of the problem.