First foray in (the art of) sensor cleaning

[bobaronoff]

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I am 7 weeks and 700 actuations into my Monochrom. As others have noted, there has been a steady increase in sensor spots on my images. A 50-lux has been attached since day one. Although Lightroom healing works well, I am at over 20-30 spots on each image and thought it was time to face my fears and clean the sensor. After reading many posts I accumulated the gear – 7x LED loupe, Arctic Butterfly, V-swab 1.0, V-dust-plus cleaner (all from Visible Dust) as well as the Pentax Sensor Cleaning device – the ‘lollipop’ device seen in the Leica factory video.

 

 

After 4 hours of a bit of trial and error I have learned that I have a knack for error. I decided to chronicle this maiden voyage to get some pointers from those more experienced and perhaps shorten the learning curve for other first timers.

 

 

Started with the rocket blower, first with shutter closed and then in sensor cleaning mode. Number of spots (as seen in LR5 using image of blue sky shot at f16 with ‘visualize spots’ at max) did not change. I concluded that static charge was causing dust to adhere to sensor glass. Next step was arctic butterfly. Used the technique they show in the Visible-Dust you-tube channel. After 10 sec spin, swiped brush fanned top-bottom from right to left – repeated three times. No change in number of spots on image– perhaps slightly worse. Next, took it up a notch with a wet clean. Three drops of V-dust-plus per V-swab. One swipe right to left, flip over, second swipe right to left, dispose V-swab. Did this twice. Wasn’t sure but thought spots might even be worse.

 

 

Have not yet mentioned 7x LED loupe. Took quite a while to get the hang of focusing on the sensor plane. Seemed to work best when held 1-2 cm above the lens mount ring. I used some of the electronic connections along the sensor edge as a target to focus on and then made small adjustments in height and my angle of view. This made micro spots/debris on the glass surface visible.

 

 

In order to further over think the process, began to wonder if the spots were oil based. Used 4 V-swab with V-dust-plus. When the test image showed the number of spots tripled I became half sick. These were not streaks but spots. After a break, I concluded that V-swabs might be releasing some particles and that I was pushing them toward the sensor edges with the V-swab. There is a bit of a technique keeping the swab in contact with the sensor as you reach the far edge.

 

 

Went back to dry clean with arctic butterfly. This time used a narrower bristle width. Kept each pass in one direction, sensor edge to edge, but used overlapping and crossing swipes (spins in between each swipe). The images showed significant improvement and number of spots below where I started for the first time.

 

 

By this time was getting the hang of the loupe and ventured to the Pentax sensor cleaning tool to get those stubborn specs. Found out there is also a technique to this tool. On the Leica factory video it looked like the technician was stamping up and down quickly 4-5 times before going to the paper to clean the tip. That did not work for me. First, that little thing sticks pretty firm to the glass and just felt too rough coming off the glass with a straight up motion. Had very good results with the following. Applied the tool by pressing straight down with mild-medium pressure. To remove, tilted the tool to its side which facilitated a non-traumatic separation from the glass. Same motions for the cleaning paper which I used after each application to sensor. Used loupe to localize where to apply the tool and confirm if debris/spot was removed. Eventually got to the point where I could see no more to remove. The images still show about 10 spots but this is a significant improvement over start. I can live with this. Anyway, you could have stuck a fork in me – I was done.

 

 

So what did I learn? I am over 100 miles to the nearest Leica dealer. If I lived closer would probably pay a professional. The time/cost of shipping a camera means I need to persevere and get better. Next time, I plan 1) involve the loupe more in the process – now that I know how to focus it, 2) start with rocket blower and then arctic butterfly (but not spread the bristles too wide), 3) approach the residual debris using the Pentax tool in a loupe directed fashion, 4) understand that cleaning involves getting the number of spots to an acceptable level but not totally eliminated – Lightroom is still my friend, 5) wet clean has its place – I’ve yet to figured out either how or when.

 

 

 

Have my fingers crossed that the next time will only be a 15-20 minute procedure. Thanks for reading.

 

 

Bob

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[tobey bilek]

Never used the butterfly so will not comment.

 

If the lens has never been off, either the camera inside was filthy to start and the dust migrated, the back of the lens was dirty, or they are oil spots not dust.

 

Dust removal chemicals do not clean the oil well if it is infact oil. Use the Visible Dust smear away. If there was oil, then the brush is now contaminated.

 

I would not stamp clean as it seems overly aggressive.

 

Do not allow it to get so dirty. I bought a used Nikon D3 and it took me 4 hours to do a five minute clean. Been fine ever since.

 

Start with the blower, shutter closed, then open. You want to remove whatever will come off easily.

 

Try the butterfly as a next step.

 

If still dirty, then do a normal wet clean. I use Eclipse and strips that I attached with a rubber band. Crude, but works well and cheap. There is a video on Copperhill site on how to slant and move the swab.

 

Do not contaminate the tools which means you do not lay them down or allow them to touch anything from the sterile package to the sensor. An air purifier in the room helps.

Mine is a HEPA from my darkroom. And do not hold some dirty loupe over the camera. Clean it with a used wipe and set it up side down on some clean class.

 

Check the brush on a filter. Acetone will clean it up of required. Clean the filter first.

 

I have never had a pro clean on any camera and almost never spot a file unless it is scanned film which is impossible to be perfectly clean.

[jaapv]

If you have trouble finding as dust-free spot the bathroom is a good place, especially if you run the shower a few minutes beforehand to wash remaining dust out of the air.

[kcnarf]

But, Jaap, might not the resultant increase of moisture in the air also cause problems?

[jaapv]

Not in my experience.

[250swb]

You should only use the Butterfly after you are convinced there is no oil on the sensor, otherwise you just contaminate it. So the first few times wet clean then use the brush to finish off. The oil residue will reduce quickly, so when it stops appearing it is usually safe to just use the Butterfly on its own as regular maintenance. The good thing about the Butterfly is that it removes the dust from the camera, it doesn't simply blow it around inside like the Rocket.

 

Steve

[Doc Henry]

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+1 with Steve

The most work is done for me by Eclipse (grease and dust) as said Tobey and sensor swab for M9.

I put the magnifier in place of the optical and I try to clean as soon as possible

Pentax last if there is still some dust

Remember : calm, concentration and patience

Henry

[MirekE]

The cleaning is usually a few minutes procedure. I use compressed air first, then a static brush and it is usually enough. From time to time I need wet cleaning, I have been using the sensor Swab Plus with Eclipse. They come pre-moistened with eclipse and individually sealed, so that you can even carry them in your camera bag. There may be better products these days, though...

 

In any case, you had some stubborn pieces on the sensor and next time the cleaning should be a piece of cake.

[lct]

The cleaning is usually a few minutes procedure. ... I have been using the sensor Swab Plus with Eclipse. They come pre-moistened with eclipse and individually sealed, so that you can even carry them in your camera bag. There may be better products these days, though...

Yes just a few seconds with those pre-moistened sensor swabs. Not sure if there are better products elsewhere but i can't figure out what they can do better.

[digitalfx]

I just received Visible Dusts new SwabLight. Just finished using it with Vswabs and their Sensor Clean fluid and in less than two minutes have a perfectly clean sensor for the first time.

 

Blowing is a waste of time.

 

The SwabLight is a nice addition...the swap attaches directly to the light so with one hand you can see the sensor and clean it. The SwabLight is cheaply made though...very disappointed in the quality of the unit for the price. It works well, just not very good quality product.

 

here is their product video:

[woorob]

Thanks to bobaronoff for this helpful note. I have never cleaned the sensor on my M9-P and so was a bit wary of the process and potential complications. After a recent photo shoot, though, my images were showing quite a bit of dust, so a cleaning was in order, if only to save some time in LightRoom!

 

After reading his post, I bought an Arctic Butterfly kit and a Delkin sensor loupe (lighted). This particular loupe allowed me to focus easily on the sensor, and using a narrower brush width (as per bobaronoff's note) I was able to clean the sensor on my M9-P easily. A ten minute job.

 

I ordered the Pentax kit as well, just in case, but right now things seem very clean. I think less is more in this case.

 

Thanks again!

[jmahto]

My experience with sensor cleaning after one year of 'regular' use.... 15K+ clicks with three lenses.

 

First pic: f/16 full pic, just to show how dirty it was

Second: f/16 1:1 crop, just to show how dirty it was in one section

 

Third: f/16 1:1 crop, After rocket blower

Fourth: f/16 1:1 crop, Using a good clean artist brush (from Michaels) + rocket blower > two passes

 

Fifth: f/8 1:1 crop, same sensor to see what I get with f/8. I hardly go below f/8. Therefore for all practical purposes my sensor is 'clean' !!

 

5 min, No wet sensor cleaning, I am happy man.

 

It helps to keep your goal reasonable.

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