ethaninthestreets Posted June 25, 2013 Share #1 Posted June 25, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hello, recently I found some "dots" on some my photos at F16, checked the CCD and found a very tiny little white dot on it, which I was considering cleaning it myself, I have ordered a CCD cleaning kit but not sure if I should go for it. The Leica store says it takes 3 days to clean the CCD, which I can't wait that long so.... Could you kindly share your experiences on how often do you clean your CCD and do you do it yourself? or send it to the Leica store? what kit do you use and how you do it? Thanks a lot for sharing! appreciate it! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted June 25, 2013 Posted June 25, 2013 Hi ethaninthestreets, Take a look here How often do you clean your CCD?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
marknorton Posted June 25, 2013 Share #2 Posted June 25, 2013 You'll find lots of threads here on sensor cleaning. I like to use a sensor loupe which ruthlessly exposes dust on the sensor; I use a blower regularly and wet clean using sensor swabs and pure isopropanol when needed. I've given up using Eclipse, too likely to leave some sort of smear; even Pec-pads I do not like, insufficiently absorbent. You can also minimise dust by vacuuming the inside of your camera bag and washing your rear lens caps. Others will have their own hints and tips. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IWC Doppel Posted June 25, 2013 Share #3 Posted June 25, 2013 I was vey unsuccessful cleaning my sensor, I tried really hard but just managed to move it around and not remove the dust. I took it in to leica, be careful they can be scratched and thats expensive. In 10,000 shots with over 10 lenses that go on and off regularly I am sure my sensor has some spots, I worry when I see them in pictures not in f16 shots of the sky, but thats just me Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NZDavid Posted June 25, 2013 Share #4 Posted June 25, 2013 Quite a lot. It may have to do with our windy climate. Europe, by contrast, has very little wind! Blower brush works pretty well. Shop also cleaned it for me using a brush from Sensor cleaning system for digital camera.. These products look good, but there is so much choice I would not be sure which one to buy. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
erl Posted June 25, 2013 Share #5 Posted June 25, 2013 I clean only when I see evidence of dirt. (Same as my housework ) Basically what Mark said, but don't scrub, just one steady pass across the sensor. Take another shot to test effectiveness. If required, another pass using the other side of the swab, remember the first side has now collected some dirt. Don't wipe it back on! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ethaninthestreets Posted June 25, 2013 Author Share #6 Posted June 25, 2013 Thank you for sharing the experience! I'll try to clean it myself and see how it goes...fingers crossed... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
richam Posted June 25, 2013 Share #7 Posted June 25, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) Something else I learned the hard way. Using the VisibleDust system, I got the sensor spotless several times but still had dust specs when tested. I found the problem was residual dust around and behind the lens mount. The dust fell on the sensor when the shutter was released. Now I make sure the mount and area above the shutter is as dust free as possible before even exposing the sensor. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dannybuoy Posted June 25, 2013 Share #8 Posted June 25, 2013 I've done a wet clean twice in 3 years. Every time with heart in mouth. Every time I get streaks that I have to work hard at removing. I've used invisible ice products every time. It's not a pleasant experience and am thinking I might take it to Leica to do. Anyone know how much Leica charge for a sensor clean? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tobey bilek Posted June 25, 2013 Share #9 Posted June 25, 2013 As little as possible. I achieve this by keeping rear lens caps on lenses, body caps on bodies, and blowing out the inside frequently with the shutter closed. By keeping things clean, dust dies not migrate to the sensor. I also change lenses in such a way as to not keep the camera open long and if conditions are bad, I just do not change lenses. Out come the Nikons with zoom lenses. Eclipse seems to work fine if you follow instructions. Keep that equipment in sealed plastic boxes. With digital cameras, cleanliness in next to Godliness. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr_Jones Posted June 25, 2013 Share #10 Posted June 25, 2013 I tend to do it once before a long trip and then use a blower while away from home, especially before days I think I might take a lot of pictures. So wet cleaning a few times a year. I use the visible dust swabs and fluid and the Pentax 39357 sensor cleaning stick. The stick is great for picking off individual bits of dust but it doesn't remove sticky dust/pollen which the visible dust will. One big advantage of the Pentax cleaner is it's ability to remove streaks from the wet cleaning. I have had some sessions go wrong and end up pushing dust around the edges or the wrong kind of liquid. Wind does seem to be a big factor in the size and quantity of dust that gets on the sensor. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted June 25, 2013 Share #11 Posted June 25, 2013 Quite a lot. It may have to do with our windy climate. Europe, by contrast, has very little wind! quote] Somebody should tell that to our weather forecasters... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest borge Posted June 25, 2013 Share #12 Posted June 25, 2013 The sensor is only cleaned when it is necessary. I don't go hunting for dustbunnies by shooting at f/16. I usually shoot between f/1-4-f/5.6 and sometimes up to f/8. It's 4 months since the last time that I cleaned the sensor and in 4 months I have gotten 1 spot on the sensor even with numerous of lens changes. I do use a quick lens change technique though, where I basically carry the lens I'm putting on the camera in the same hand as I use to take the lens off the camera. Basically the camera is without a lens for about 1 second which minimizes the amount of dust and dirt that gets inside it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wattsy Posted June 25, 2013 Share #13 Posted June 25, 2013 Anyone know how much Leica charge for a sensor clean? I think (off the top of my head) that Leica Mayfair charge about 70 quid for a sensor clean. I haven't used the service so can't vouch for how clean they get it but at least you have the reassurance that, if they screw it up, they will presumably put things right at their expense. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IWC Doppel Posted June 25, 2013 Share #14 Posted June 25, 2013 Yep £70, it takes 2-3 hours and they use a number of implements in the London store, I also heard that one new to cleaning employee did damage a sensor so, which was duly replaced. I keep meaning to buy some clean air spray as this stops you bowing dust on. I wont risk a wet clean after my prior endeavours. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Allsopp Posted June 25, 2013 Share #15 Posted June 25, 2013 Mine needs a wet clean three or four times a year. It's a pain but you get used to it after a few years. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NikonJeff Posted June 25, 2013 Share #16 Posted June 25, 2013 Before I knew any better I was cleaning the sensor on my Nikon DSLR bodies with the Eclipse solution and Sensor Swabs before every wedding which got expensive. A few years ago I purchased a Delkin Sensor Scope to inspect the sensor for dust/dirt/oil etc. issues which opened my eyes to the amount (or lack there of actually) of sensor muck. I use it on the M9 now as well and see very little dust or other issues. It was IMHO well wort the $50 I spent on it - has paid for itself many times over already... SensorScope DSLR Camera Sensor Cleaning Inspection Device in Small Padded Travel Bag Jeff G. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marac Posted June 25, 2013 Share #17 Posted June 25, 2013 The Delkin scope is very good however do not use their swabs or fluid, cost me a sensor cover once for my old D200.. scope is great, throw the rest of the kit in the dustbin. Trust me. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
edwardkaraa Posted June 25, 2013 Share #18 Posted June 25, 2013 My answer is: never. On cameras that I am the first owner that is. If the sensor has been cleaned before, it will require regular cleanings. In fact you should never clean the sensor. It starts this way: you buy a new camera, the sensor is spotless. After 2-3 months you see a couple of spots in the sky when shooting stopped down. You buy an expensive cleaning kit, you clean the sensor, and after many smears and nail biting episodes, you end up with a sensor that has 8-10 visible spots that you are very satisfied with. Even if you manage to make the sensor really spotless, it will only last 1-2 days. Cleaned sensors attract dust because of electrostatic, so its a lot of effort for very little reward. I never clean the sensor, just use a blower bulb occasionally every couple of months. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IWC Doppel Posted June 25, 2013 Share #19 Posted June 25, 2013 My answer is: never. On cameras that I am the first owner that is. If the sensor has been cleaned before, it will require regular cleanings. In fact you should never clean the sensor. It starts this way: you buy a new camera, the sensor is spotless. After 2-3 months you see a couple of spots in the sky when shooting stopped down. You buy an expensive cleaning kit, you clean the sensor, and after many smears and nail biting episodes, you end up with a sensor that has 8-10 visible spots that you are very satisfied with. Even if you manage to make the sensor really spotless, it will only last 1-2 days. Cleaned sensors attract dust because of electrostatic, so its a lot of effort for very little reward. I never clean the sensor, just use a blower bulb occasionally every couple of months. Interesting perspective Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Printmaker Posted June 25, 2013 Share #20 Posted June 25, 2013 My answer is: never. On cameras that I am the first owner that is. If the sensor has been cleaned before, it will require regular cleanings. In fact you should never clean the sensor. It starts this way: you buy a new camera, the sensor is spotless. After 2-3 months you see a couple of spots in the sky when shooting stopped down. You buy an expensive cleaning kit, you clean the sensor, and after many smears and nail biting episodes, you end up with a sensor that has 8-10 visible spots that you are very satisfied with. Even if you manage to make the sensor really spotless, it will only last 1-2 days. Cleaned sensors attract dust because of electrostatic, so its a lot of effort for very little reward. I never clean the sensor, just use a blower bulb occasionally every couple of months. My new M8 came with tons of oil spots on the sensor which I cleaned with an eWipe which is a moist towlette designed to clean scanbacks where a dust spot becomes a line on the final image. After that, an Arctic Butterfly did the job perfectly for the next few years. My M9's sensor has only needed a very occasional flick of the Butterfly and never a wet cleaning. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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