Bill Allsopp Posted February 24, 2012 Share #1 Posted February 24, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) Cleaned my sensor today, not been done since last July. Afterwards went online to find some more swabs and stumbled on this link showing how the factory do it. Leica M9 - Cleaning the sensor | Flickr - Photo Sharing! Sensor cleaning at home is straightforward if you are sensible and careful. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted February 24, 2012 Posted February 24, 2012 Hi Bill Allsopp, Take a look here M9 sensor cleaning. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
jaapv Posted February 24, 2012 Share #2 Posted February 24, 2012 I would take care with the stamping method. I destroyed a sensor with it. http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/digital-forum/121761-dust-aid.html http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m9-forum/130337-thank-you-leica-no-thank-you.html Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Allsopp Posted February 24, 2012 Author Share #3 Posted February 24, 2012 I would take care with the stamping method. I destroyed a sensor with it. Good advice thanks, must admit I blow and swab only. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sblitz Posted February 24, 2012 Share #4 Posted February 24, 2012 so far i have only used a rocket blower and that seems to have done the trick Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
satureyes Posted February 24, 2012 Share #5 Posted February 24, 2012 Cleaning my sensor for the first time was the most nerve racking thing I've done. I bought he visible dust kit with loupe and arctic butterfly and swabs I've cleaned it twice and got it pretty spotless. I have their blower and use that every now and then between a bi-annual sensor clean. Be careful about the blowers because they can inhale and blow dust at force onto the sensor. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Washington Posted February 25, 2012 Share #6 Posted February 25, 2012 Best done with a sandblaster. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
satureyes Posted February 25, 2012 Share #7 Posted February 25, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) Best done with a sandblaster. Helpful. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hermanp Posted February 25, 2012 Share #8 Posted February 25, 2012 In my professional life, before my retirement, I worked as an engineer in the space industry. There I learned that cleaning optical instruments has to be done in a cleanroom, wearing a clean overcoat, funny hats, cleanroom overshoes etc, the same kind of garment one sees on the Leica cleanroom clip. As I don't have a cleanroom in my apartment I just let Chipclean do the cleaning of my camera equipment. They have the proper environment, equipment and expertise (and no, I hold no shares of that company). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lars_bergquist Posted February 25, 2012 Share #9 Posted February 25, 2012 My experience with the Seiko shutter of both the M8 and the M9 is that during their first thousands of firings they spit oily goo at the sensor. So frequent cleaning is a must. My M9 shutter, which I have used since early in 2010, is much more cleanly in its habits now, but I do still frequently inspect the sensor, or rather a test exposure, for spots and specks. I start by removing as much dust as I can from both the camera and the lens, and then from the sensor, with a bulb blower. But s...t on he sensor tends to stick. So the next procedure is a careful, i.e. thorough but gentle, wet swabbing. I use VisibleDust. LB Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted February 25, 2012 Share #10 Posted February 25, 2012 There I learned that cleaning optical instruments has to be done in a cleanroom, wearing a clean overcoat, funny hats, cleanroom overshoes etc, the same kind of garment one sees on the Leica cleanroom clip. A good wash in the morning usually stops excessive body dirt getting onto your sensor while you are cleaning it without the need to contain it inside white overalls. Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tobey bilek Posted February 25, 2012 Share #11 Posted February 25, 2012 An air purifier /filter in the room works wonders. Shut off furnace/ac blowers and let dust settle if you can. So does a clean place to work and clean tools. You could build a nice box like a baby incubator, but I find that extreme. Aero space controls are ideal, but difficult to achieve at home and you nullified the work at first lens change anyway. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted February 25, 2012 Share #12 Posted February 25, 2012 Bathroom after shower... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Allsopp Posted February 25, 2012 Author Share #13 Posted February 25, 2012 A good wash in the morning usually stops excessive body dirt getting onto your sensor while you are cleaning it....... Especially if you don't dry yourself too much; dead skin particles are the biggest source of dust getting onto the sensor in many cases. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted February 25, 2012 Share #14 Posted February 25, 2012 Has nobody considered sucking all the air out of the room while sensor cleaning? I think I'll try this afternoon. Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hlockwood Posted February 25, 2012 Share #15 Posted February 25, 2012 so far i have only used a rocket blower and that seems to have done the trick Of the three sizes (small, medium, large) which is recommended? Harry Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thighslapper Posted February 25, 2012 Share #16 Posted February 25, 2012 I'm with Jaap on this one........ The sticky lollipops used by Leica are real 'heart in the mouth' gizmos. They adhere alarmingly to the sensor and come away with a worrying noise that feels like the sensor has been flexed and is snapping back into position It frightened me sufficiently that I went back to blower for dust and wet swabbing for persistent crud. You can have mine free, Bill.... if you want to scare yourself a bit ...... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
davidbaddley Posted February 25, 2012 Share #17 Posted February 25, 2012 Don't be afraid to clean your sensor. A quick (but soft) couple of blasts with a rocket (bulb-type) blower, followed by a pass each way with a sensor-swab moistened with a couple of drops of Eclipse (or similar), is all it takes. Works really well, and is easier than cleaning a lens. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Allsopp Posted February 26, 2012 Author Share #18 Posted February 26, 2012 I'm with Jaap on this one........ The sticky lollipops used by Leica are real 'heart in the mouth' gizmos. ............ You can have mine free, Bill.... if you want to scare yourself a bit ...... I have always been happy with blower and swabs thanks - I'm not about to do a Jaap Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJP Posted February 26, 2012 Share #19 Posted February 26, 2012 Has nobody considered sucking all the air out of the room while sensor cleaning? I think I'll try this afternoon. Steve Also, make sure to wrap the cat(s) in cling film. They like the attention, rest assured. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul J Posted February 26, 2012 Share #20 Posted February 26, 2012 Having scratched my Canon sensor whilst cleaning I must say I'm a bit reluctant to do so. The problem is, what is attached can be quite gritty and even if you think you've dislodged it with a blower brush there is a good chance you haven't. As soon as you drag it across the sensor with whatever method of cleaning you choose it does the damage all too easily. These days I spend more time in prevention and take particular care when changing lenses and make sure that the back caps are always attached and clean them out regularly. Please be warned those sensor pens are DANGEROUS and pretty much useless. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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