Sensor cleaning in New York?

[nyphoto01]

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Can anyone recommend a good sensor cleaning shop in New York (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens)?

 

I tried doing it myself with the Lenspen kit, and I didn't have much luck.

 

Thanks!!

[Jeff S]

I tried doing it myself with the Lenspen kit, and I didn't have much luck.

 

I wouldn't use this. Beyond a blower for dry dust, try swabs and fluid from Visible Dust, Green Clean or Eclipse. There are dozens of threads on this here (search box), including the M9 FAQ, that address proper cleaning. There are also useful video tutorials from sites like Copper Hill to help.

 

This will be an ongoing process, so you may as well save the $ and get used to it. It's really not hard using any of these products.

 

Jeff

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[richfx]

I wouldn't use a Lenspen on your sensor - they're not designed for it. Numerous wet cleaning kits are available, and it's quite easy to do it yourself. Who knows whether a shop would be as careful as you with your M9.

Rich

[MSUSpartan]

Nippon @ Flatiron.

[Olsen]

I wouldn't use a Lenspen on your sensor - they're not designed for it. Numerous wet cleaning kits are available, and it's quite easy to do it yourself. Who knows whether a shop would be as careful as you with your M9.

Rich

 

Both the two service shops I use for sensor cleaning here in Norway, Interfoto and Serviceproffen (Leica and Canon, respectively), have far better equipment - and experience & techniques, than any amateur - or pro photographer, can replicate. New York, one of the largest cities in the world, I am sure, has several excellent sensor cleaning facilities. These will do a far safer and more thorough job than any self-cleaner.

 

I never clean the sensors of my cameras myself, - except for using a blower. Nor would I recommend anyone to touch the sensor with anything themselves. Nor would I recommend anyone to buy a 2. hand digital camera that has been 'self cleaned'. - We discussed life expectancy of shutters in another thread here. Serviceproffen told me once that most shutter breakdowns were due to 'unprofessional' sensor cleaning....

[earleygallery]

I do actually know of someone who took their car back to the dealer to have the radio tuned in to radio 4.

[stunsworth]

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I never clean the sensors of my cameras myself, - except for using a blower. Nor would I recommend anyone to touch the sensor with anything themselves. Nor would I recommend anyone to buy a 2. hand digital camera that has been 'self cleaned'.

 

I've cleaned the sensor on every digital camera I've owned where it was possible. Never had a problem, neither has anyone else I know. If people have damaged their shutter when cleaning the sensor I'd suspect it was caused by using the 'B' shutter speed rather than the proper option, and their finger slipping off the shutter button.

[250swb]

Serviceproffen told me once that most shutter breakdowns were due to 'unprofessional' sensor cleaning....

 

What else are they going to say, that you can do just as good a job yourself for far less money? Yeah right

 

Steve

[AlanJW]

I've cleaned the sensor on every digital camera I've owned where it was possible. Never had a problem, neither has anyone else I know. If people have damaged their shutter when cleaning the sensor I'd suspect it was caused by using the 'B' shutter speed rather than the proper option, and their finger slipping off the shutter button.

Agree. I have cleaned multiple Canon's, a Nikon , 2 M8's and a M9 without incident. It is not rocket science (however, a rocket blower first can sometimes help) 8-). It is also better to know how to do this yourself so you are not trapped when in a foreign city. I travel with some premoistened Sensor Swabs for just this. (Tough to travel with Eclipse).

[sblitz]

photo care on 22nd street btwn 5th and 6th avenue was recommended to me by some professional photographers but i haven't yet used them or been there. passing along the information fwiw

[250swb]

photo care on 22nd street btwn 5th and 6th avenue was recommended to me by some professional photographers but i haven't yet used them or been there. passing along the information fwiw

 

Well yes, but how does any professional photographer abuse the client relationship? Yes, they farm out any trivial job to a lacky and then charge the customer twice the amount in the final bill. It really is about time that you stopped thinking a professional job means a better job. The difference is about money, not results.

 

 

Steve

[jaapv]

Agree. I have cleaned multiple Canon's, a Nikon , 2 M8's and a M9 without incident. It is not rocket science (however, a rocket blower first can sometimes help) 8-). It is also better to know how to do this yourself so you are not trapped when in a foreign city. I travel with some premoistened Sensor Swabs for just this. (Tough to travel with Eclipse).

 

Easy to travel with Eclipse. Carry it in an old after-shave bottle in your toiletries bag.

[Double Negative]

Get yourself a "Copperhill kit." Comes with Eclipse, a pack of 100 Pec Pads and the "spatula" for cleaning your sensor. I'd also recommend the sensor magnifier with LED light. Takes a little practice, but you'll get it down.

 

If your on the Island, drop me a note - I'll do it for ya.

[Bill W]

Every digital M I have owned (3) have had dirty sensors out of the box. I had experience cleaning Nikon sensors so not a problem. Unless you want to make someone wealthy cleaning your sensor, you might look at learning the routine. It is not that difficult once you have done it a time or two. M sensors get dirty fast regardless whether you change your lens or not.

Edited October 24, 2011 by Bill Wendlandt

[bpalme]

One of the most helpful tools is a lighted magnifying glass.

MiniBrite Maginifier - Sensor Inspection Devices

 

Visible dust brand sensor swabs with visible dust liquid. Only use one drop.. careful not too get too much liquid. I bought some cheap brand swabs that left lint. Visible dust swabs are wrapped in microfiber cloth.

 

Then I come back with a lens pen and only a brand new lens pen.. clean up any residue you see under the lighted magnifier.

Of course try a blower before any of this.