Guest malland Posted January 4, 2013 Share #1 Posted January 4, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) As my M-Monochrom had some spots that I couldn't dislodge either with a blower or an Arctic Butterfly brush, I concluded that these were oil spots that probably came from the shutter blades. Last night I spent some two hours trying to remove the spots by using swabs with Eclipse liquid some five times. No go: I couldn't remove all the spots and left some streaks from the liquid. Today I took the camera to a Leica dealer who said his technician would have to have a look at the sensor before determining whether he could clean it or whether the camera would have to be sent to Leica Service in Singapore, which could have been problematic as I am leaving for Sri Lanka next Friday. Luckily, the technician concluded that he could clean the sensor, and I'll pick the camera up tomorrow. My questions are these: looking at the sensor using a 7x loupe with LED lights I couldn't see the dirt or spots on the sensor because the LED lights created a colored reflective grid on the sensor, which made it impossible to see the surface; as I never had this problem in looking at the M8 and M9 sensors, does this mean that the nature of the reflective surface of the M-Monochrom sensor is such that examining it with an LED loupe is much more difficult? Also, I have swabbed the M8 and M9 sensors several times without leaving streaks — is this also more difficult with the M-Monochrom? Incidentally, the dealer suggested that I not try to swab the sensor in the future but bring it in to have it done by the technician, who can have the camera ready the same day. The cost is US$25. —Mitch/Bangkok Bangkok Hysteria (download link for book project) Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 4, 2013 Posted January 4, 2013 Hi Guest malland, Take a look here Adventures in M-Monochrom Sensor Cleaning. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
IWC Doppel Posted January 6, 2013 Share #2 Posted January 6, 2013 After dissapointment with the Delkin cleaning kit I took my M9 to Lieca for clean, I feel much happier than trying to manage dust spots and adding more with that kit.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest malland Posted January 6, 2013 Share #3 Posted January 6, 2013 Turns that it the technician over three hours to clean the sensor, so it cost me US$60 rather than the expected US$25. The dealer said that I would do better to let them clean the sensor next time instead of trying to use Eclipse liquid and swabs, which risked creating the problem of streaked and smeared dirt that I had this time, and would only cost about US$14 for a normal cleaning. However, I still wonder whether others have found the same difficulty that I have in examining the M-Monochrom sensor with the LED-light 7x loupe, which I never had with the M8 or the M9? —Mitch/Bangkok Bangkok Hysteria (download link for book project) Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted January 6, 2013 Share #4 Posted January 6, 2013 Your problem was that Eclipse2 is not the best product to remove oil spots. Smear Away from Visible Dust is much better at the job, and does not leave a residue if used liberally like E2 does. 9 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter H Posted January 6, 2013 Share #5 Posted January 6, 2013 I've observed that whilst some people find it relatively easy to clean their sensors (with due care and the correct products of course) others, with similar care and the same products, can't do it. I'm in the latter group. I will always pay a pro to do it for me. 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
michali Posted January 6, 2013 Share #6 Posted January 6, 2013 Your problem was that Eclipse2 is not the best product to remove oil spots. Smear Away from Visible Dust is much better at the job, and does not leave a residue if used liberally like E2 does. Fully agree with Jaap, there are a couple of posts on this. Eclipse is the problem! I tried the Eclipse product and had the same problems a couple of years ago. I binned it and bought the Visible Dust products- use "Smear Away" for stubborn oil- like stains & then "Sensor Clean" you should have no issues. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaques Posted January 6, 2013 Share #7 Posted January 6, 2013 (edited) Advertisement (gone after registration) did a professional really say it took 3 hours to clean? That is such a long time to spend cleaning such a small thing- it seems hard to imagine it possible? 3 hours? Sounds like fine art restoration- did he remove each microblob individually, under an electron microscope- layer by stubborn layer? though 65$ for 3 hours is a pretty low rate. In Australia I imagine they would want well over $200 for that amount of labour... making a pro sensor clean an expensive proposition- if 3 hours are really required... Edited January 6, 2013 by jaques 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnbuckley Posted January 6, 2013 Share #8 Posted January 6, 2013 (edited) Mitch - what a coincidence. Yesterday morning, I took my Monochrom to a dealer, who is going to charge me $90 to clean the sensor. I had to do this because I failed in my effort to clean it, using Eclipse fluid with swabs. I have noticed, from the time I received my Monochrom in August, that it seemed to have more spots on the sensor -- not dust, but spots -- than I ever had on my M8s or M9. It didn't matter so much until last week when I spent time out West shooting landscapes stopped down. (Some of the landscapes can be found via the Tulip Frenzy link below; this is a wonderful landscape camera in winter.) Friday I tried cleaning it, but made it worse. I have succeeded in cleaning M8 and M9 sensors, but failed with the Monochrom. So same question as Mitch: is there something about the Monochrom sensor cover that both attracts more schmutz on it, or makes it more difficult to do a wet clean? (Eclipse has worked on the M8s and 9, but will take Jaap's recommendations on a better cleaner.) Edited January 6, 2013 by johnbuckley 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest malland Posted January 6, 2013 Share #9 Posted January 6, 2013 did a professional really say it took 3 hours to clean? That is such a long time to spend cleaning such a small thing- it seems hard to imagine it possible? 3 hours? Sounds like fine art restoration- did he remove each microblob individually, under an electron microscope- layer by stubborn layer? though 65$ for 3 hours is a pretty low rate. In Australia I imagine they would want well over $200 for that amount of labour... making a pro sensor clean an expensive proposition- if 3 hours are really required... Nah, in Oz it's much faster 'cause it's so hard to get people to work there. —Mitch/Bangkok Bangkok Hysteria (download link for book project) Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest borge Posted January 7, 2013 Share #10 Posted January 7, 2013 I've used eclipse (1) for years and never had a problem with it. I've also used it on the MM twice with pecpads. No dust, no oil spots, no streaks. I've been cleaning my own sensors for 5 years with this stuff. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted January 7, 2013 Share #11 Posted January 7, 2013 (edited) I have excellent results with Ultra Clean by Dust-Aid as well. But you need more drops as it evaporates extremely fast. Edited January 7, 2013 by jaapv Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 7, 2013 Share #12 Posted January 7, 2013 Turns that it the technician over three hours to clean the sensor, so it cost me US$60 rather than the expected US$25. The dealer said that I would do better to let them clean the sensor next time instead of trying to use Eclipse liquid and swabs, which risked creating the problem of streaked and smeared dirt that I had this time, and would only cost about US$14 for a normal cleaning. However, I still wonder whether others have found the same difficulty that I have in examining the M-Monochrom sensor with the LED-light 7x loupe, which I never had with the M8 or the M9? —Mitch/Bangkok Bangkok Hysteria (download link for book project) Mitch, I have had great luck with Delkins Sensor Loupe on other sensors...but I see almost nothing with the MM ... so you are correct. However makes no sense to turn the camera over to a tech who has not bonded emotionally with it. Smear Away may be the answer...doubt the tech could see it any better than you! JMHO Bob Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 7, 2013 Share #13 Posted January 7, 2013 I've used eclipse (1) for years and never had a problem with it. I've also used it on the MM twice with pecpads. No dust, no oil spots, no streaks. I've been cleaning my own sensors for 5 years with this stuff. I was told recently that eclipse(2) was discontinued as it was deemed ineffective and not an improvement over one...no longer carried at my local dealers. Bob Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
k-hawinkler Posted January 7, 2013 Share #14 Posted January 7, 2013 Mitch, I am curious though. How clean did they get your sensor? Following a line from Johnny Carson's Tonight Show: They got it so clean that ... fill in the blanks. :D Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Posted January 7, 2013 Share #15 Posted January 7, 2013 Everyone, please stop making this so difficult. Get some sensor swabs. Get some Isopropyl Alcohol 70%. (Leica uses this) Stop using Eclipse, Visible Dust products, and everything else! This stuff is snake oil. Don't be afraid to swab the sensor. Stop paying people to clean your sensor. It is just glass. 6 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaques Posted January 7, 2013 Share #16 Posted January 7, 2013 could I use these products? price difference is astronomical to the 'pro' fluids... and what type of swabs do you use Rick? Buy isopropyl alcohol online from RS Components Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
k-hawinkler Posted January 7, 2013 Share #17 Posted January 7, 2013 Why pay so much? What's wrong with these? Isopropyl Alcohol 70% - Google Search Isopropyl Alcohol 70% 16 oz plastic bottle | FullSource.com 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest malland Posted January 7, 2013 Share #18 Posted January 7, 2013 ...I am curious though. How clean did they get your sensor?...Actually, they did a good job and removed all the streaks and spots except, apparently only one tiny spot that the technician could see (how?) but that doesn't seem to show up in a photographed frame of a cleared sky. As far as I understand, they used the same way of cleaning as Solms does, on which I vaguely remember seeing a short video of the technician using a little "stamping tool" with which he carefully brings down upon the sensor repeatedly, apparently without any liquid. I am not sure, but perhaps someone with better knowledge can tell us more. —Mitch/Bangkok Bangkok Hysteria (download link for book project) Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest malland Posted January 7, 2013 Share #19 Posted January 7, 2013 (edited) Why pay so much? What's wrong with these? Isopropyl Alcohol 70% - Google Search Isopropyl Alcohol 70% 16 oz plastic bottle | FullSource.com I take it that none of these alcohols, even in small bottles can be taken aboard a flight, is that right? —Mitch/Bangkok Bangkok Hysteria (download link for book project) Edited January 7, 2013 by malland Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest malland Posted January 7, 2013 Share #20 Posted January 7, 2013 ...but I see almost nothing with the MM ... so you are correct...doubt the tech could see it any better than you!...Bob, yes, but I wonder why no one else has chimed in on the virtual impossibility of seeing dirt or spots on the M-Monochrom sensor with a 7x loupe owing to the colored grid pattern that is reflected by the LED-lights of the loupe, which is not the case when examining M8 and M9 sensors? —Mitch/Bangkok Bangkok Hysteria (download link for book project) Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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