jim_royer Posted May 5, 2007 Share #1 Posted May 5, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) I've read many of the posts on cleaning the M8 sensor but my question is more about how often. I know this depends on where you are when you change lenses, climate conditions, etc.. However, if you change to another lense, do you also clean the sensor or can you do one or two days of shooting before cleaning the sensor. Is the blast of air the most used method, or are you using a liquid cleaner often. I've also read a discussion on the forum about the solution to either use or not to use. Your comments and advice will be appreciated. Jim Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted May 5, 2007 Posted May 5, 2007 Hi jim_royer, Take a look here Cleaning M8 sensor - How Often?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
mikeadams Posted May 5, 2007 Share #2 Posted May 5, 2007 I use the Eclipse method, the liquid and the 1.33 size swabs, and usually I get dust only when I change lenses out of doors. Otherwise, I set my aperture to f 16, I shoot the sky, I play it back on the LCD and use the wheel to zoom in as close as it goes and move the arrows around until I have seen the entire frame up close. I was afraid the first time but I'm not anymore. Mike http://www.mikeadams.org Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wlaidlaw Posted May 5, 2007 Share #3 Posted May 5, 2007 I am testing for dust and spots once a week using the defocused sky method and my Elmar 90. I find I need to clean about 1 to 1.5 times a month. My brother has just been on a photographic course in Namibia (sounded great - I would like to do it next year). It was part of the suggested routine, that everyone cleaned their sensor every morning. Most people were using an Artic Butterfly brush or similar plus blower every day and a wet clean every 3rd day. Sadly not a single Leica in sight on the course 100% Canon/Nikon. Wilson Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
albertknappmd Posted May 5, 2007 Share #4 Posted May 5, 2007 I am in aggrement with Mike... I fist use a manual blower (Giotto-like) and then the Arctic butterfly. This usually removes all the dirt/dust about 95% of the time. For resistant specs, Eclipse is the way to go. Don't be afraid of Eclipse but PRACTICE your technique on a CD before hand and don't use too much fluid or re-use the brushes!!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim_royer Posted May 5, 2007 Author Share #5 Posted May 5, 2007 Thanks for the information and thr "how to" ideas. I appreciate your responses. Jim Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sean_reid Posted May 5, 2007 Share #6 Posted May 5, 2007 Consider: A = Degree of patience one has for spotting out dust spots in Photoshop using the clone/healing brushes B = Degree to which is one is reluctant to clean the sensor A > B = sensor need not be cleaned A < B = sensor cleaning time <G> Cheers, Sean Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
adampal Posted May 5, 2007 Share #7 Posted May 5, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) Has anyone tried using isopropyl on the sensor ( solvent recommended by Leica )? Best Regards Adam Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rwfreund Posted May 5, 2007 Share #8 Posted May 5, 2007 Yes, It works fine for me. -bob Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rvaubel Posted May 5, 2007 Share #9 Posted May 5, 2007 Has anyone tried using isopropyl on the sensor ( solvent recommended by Leica )? Best Regards Adam The problem with isopropyl is it has too much water in it unless you get the reagent grade stuff. The easest solution to getting cheap sensor cleaner is to fly to Las Vegas and get your hands on some 195 proof Everclear vodka. We are talking about food grade ethenol with only 2 1/2 % water for six bucks a pint. Not only that you can take it back on the plane with you as a beverage! Try that with a 16 oz of Eclipse and you will end up in jail. Not to mention that a pint of Eclipse would cost around 10 K. The other advantage of Everclear over anything else is you can use it to steady your nerves before you stick that swab in your precious M8. Wrecks Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
adampal Posted May 5, 2007 Share #10 Posted May 5, 2007 Bob do you use 91% drug store grade? I’ve tries swabbing a mirror with it and could see no residue whatsoever. Adam Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rwfreund Posted May 5, 2007 Share #11 Posted May 5, 2007 Yes, 91% seems to work just fine. Better grades are available, but I think they are overkill. -bob Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rwfreund Posted May 5, 2007 Share #12 Posted May 5, 2007 To the question of how often: As often as necessary. It depends on how many lens changes and in what kind of environment. -bob Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
grober Posted May 5, 2007 Share #13 Posted May 5, 2007 Bought the M8 during the first week of November and haven't cleaned it yet. (This also included its flight back to Germany for re-fit!) Yes, I am starting to see some dust but nothing I can't handle in PS. I plan the timing of each lens change to be as rapid as possible to avoid unneccessary time with the camera's mount open and unguarded. -g Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted May 5, 2007 Share #14 Posted May 5, 2007 I had my first M8 from the beginning of November and have blown out dust from time to time as needed, and wet-cleaned it twice. It seems to need less and less cleaning. The same for the one from early January, only I had to wet-clean that one just once. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bradreiman Posted May 6, 2007 Share #15 Posted May 6, 2007 got my m8 in nov. took a night of swabbing to get the grease off. ive wet swabbed 3 or four times since. artic butterfly about once every three weeks. i change my lens maybe 20 times a day. i learned here to turn the camera off when changing lenses to kill the static charge which was attracting dust-BIG difference ever since...B Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
xrogers Posted May 6, 2007 Share #16 Posted May 6, 2007 I clean about every 1500 shots, typically when I notice dust in a shot. I'd guess 100 lens changes between cleanings. You need to decide how often based on your own needs and sensibilities. --clyde Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iron Flatline Posted May 6, 2007 Share #17 Posted May 6, 2007 Consider: A = Degree of patience one has for spotting out dust spots in Photoshop using the clone/healing brushes B = Degree to which is one is reluctant to clean the sensor A > B = sensor need not be cleaned A < B = sensor cleaning time <G> Cheers, Sean LOL, yeah, put about as succinctly as I've ever seen. I clean my sensor when I find too many spots in my images - which depends on what I'm shooting. Got the camera in December, and have cleaned it once thus far. I have three lenses, and switch them around A LOT. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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