Negative B&H review of Artic Butterfly

[colorflow]

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I just bought the Arctic Butterfly 724 and later came across this review at B&H:

 

"I bought one of these brushes based on rave reviews and had a small

catastrophe the second time I used it. The first time was perfect, but

upon second use I noticed large, dark smears across my sensor. I didn't

recognize this until half a day of shooting had gone by, which was a

major loss. Anyway, it turns out that if you allow the bristles to drag

along the edge of the sensor chamber, you are likely to pick up dust that

has been soaking in the lubricants of you camera. This oily residue is

then transferred to your sensor. Then you must buy a wet cleaning

solution for the new problem! My thought now: forget this brush, spend

the money on a good wet solution for emergencies and stick to the

rocket blower. I wish to goodness I'd have known of this danger before

inserting the brush into my camera. "

 

Anyone had similar problem with the M8 using the Butterfly? Is there similar risk?

 

Thanks,

Alan

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[DaveEP]

Clearly the guy didn't read the instructions or other reviews correctly. I have not bought the AB yet (though I am thinking about it) and even I knew not to do what he did.....

[AlanJW]

I had a similar experience with the Arctic Butterfly even though I was quite careful and followed the directions. When I was finished with it, I needed to go the Eclipse and Pec pad route. If you're going to have to do that anyhow, what'e the point of the AB --- unless it is a travel situation where you weren't able to bring along Eclipse (can't take it on an airplane). I now use a rocket blower and Eclipse where necessary The AB sits unused.

[POKO]

Hi,

 

Just had the same problem. Not a big deal - I saw it right away and cleaned off the smudges. Now all I have to do is clean the brush...

 

I just got a bit carried away with my sweeping.

 

Still like it, and it works well on my P45. I have found a blower to blow dust around and back onto the sensor.

 

Per

[colorflow]

Alan and PK:

 

Were your similar experiences on the M8?

 

Alan

[tashley]

I've been using the AB on three cameras for 18 months and more and have always been careful, as the instructions say you should be. Never had anything but a shiny clean sensor and I thank the inventors of the AB for it. Best few quid I ever spent on a bang for buck basis, and anyone who screws it up either has a shaky hand or a lack of willingness to read instructions. AB rocks.

 

Tim

[carstenw]

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I use the Arctic Butterfly 1.3x Pro kit with the M8, and have seen no such problems. I wonder how common it is for the M8 to have so much extra lubrication sitting around that it infects the dust?

[POKO]

Alan and PK:

 

Were your similar experiences on the M8?

 

Alan

 

Yes, I just finished cleaning the brush after picking up som oil from the edges of the sensor - the shaky hand was as a result of the wine last night and too many coffee today!

 

Per

[AlanJW]

Alan and PK:

 

Were your similar experiences on the M8?

 

Alan

 

 

No. My experience was with a Canon 5D. On the M8, so far I have not had to do any sensor cleaning.

[photolandscape]

My experience has convinced me that for loose dust particles only, the AB is a good solution.

 

But when you get into grease or any sort of oil-borne substances, the AB is not effective. You have to go with Eclipse or Eclipse 2--depending on your sensor.

 

One other note on the AB--the original ones were poorly designed--I can't even guess how many times mine would get bumped inside my bag and I'd hear the motor running and have to go in an shut it off. My new one is better, but far from perfect. The quality of the materials is weak. The cap is difficult to remove and replace, and the cap is really too narrow. When you spin the brush to activate the static-charge, the bristles flair out. When you try to reinsert the brush in the cap, it is almost impossible to get the bristles all in without bending any of them backward. The cap needs to be wider to accomodate the brush.

 

All in all, for what it costs, I'd give it a grade of C.

[gesper]

Been using with M8 with no problem. Sensor still requires wet cleaning at times.

[Guest guy_mancuso]

Well I do everything your not supposed to do and been doing it since my Kodak 760. I actually use canned air. But I use a half can and just am real careful about propellent. Than if it is dirty with grease than use Eclipse and a senor swab. This spinning stuff to me is just a gimmick

[carstenw]

This gimmick keeps my sensor clean, Guy I have not had to use any air or wet solutions yet, and have little-to-no dust on my sensor after using the Arctic Butterfly.

[RSL]

Guy, Last year I saw a D70 with dust between the sensor and the moire filter. I can't claim I'm sure how it got there, but the gal who owned the camera had been using high-pressure air to clean the sensor. Easy does it with that.

[Guest guy_mancuso]

I know this is one area i don't want you guys jumping off the bridge with me. It can be dangerous. But i hit the side chamber instead of the sensor directly.