Sensor dust SL vs M

[Peter_S]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Hi! I am curious if anyone has some input on sensor dust on the SL vs the M models when switching lenses frequently. The SL has ultrasonic cleaning, but the sensor is open when changing lenses (correct?) - on the T dust was for me much an issue than on the M8/9.

So - how effective is the sensor cleaning on the SL?

 

Thanks,

Peter

[scott kirkpatrick]

I've been switching lenses frequently, and I get dust in my SL.  So far nothing that I could not blow away with a rocket blower.  I haven't seen dust in an M10 or 240, but those tend to get one lens and keep it on for a while.

[LeicaR10]

Peter_S,   I live in Las Vegas...lots of dust here.  I have found the SL to be far less prone to dust than the M10.  The ultrasonic cleaner on the SL seems to work quite well considering that I change SL/M lenses often when out doing landscape photography.  The M10 isn't all that bad either.  I use both cameras in the field.  I found my M Monochrom CCD sensor attracts dust far more than either the SL or M10.  For me, the SL is best, followed by the M10 and last is MM.  The rocket blower works great.   r/ Mark

[thighslapper]

I've had the SL 22 months and cleaned the sensor only once ...... and that was before a landscape trip this year when I knew I would be using f11-f22 regularly with sky in the images, so it was precautionary rather than because it was needed.

 

To date I've had no issues with observable dust at all. 

[ramarren]

I've had my SL since they were released. It required I blow off the sensor once.

I've had my M-D since about 8 months later than that. I've had to clean its sensor four times.

[lx1713]

Been pretty clean for me too except for a large dust bunny in a job which affected a number of pictures mildly. Other than that it was good.

[lanetomlane]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I've found the SL great compared to the M240 and Monochrom 246. With the M's I find the sensors need cleaning often for the fist six months or so and then less frequently over time. I'm no expert, but to me it looks like oil (perhaps during assembly, or lubrication for the shutter) which sometimes requires a wet clean. I'm still waiting for an M10 but from previous comments it looks as though that could be better than earlier M's. Certainly hope so.

[taosantamonica]

  The ultrasonic cleaner on the SL seems to work quite well    

 

so that's why those spots disappeared the next time i used my sl...i didn't even know it had an ultrasonic cleaner.  I like this forum : )

[robgo2]

I have owned my SL for a little over one month and already experienced sticky dust on the sensor that could not be removed with a blower or gel stick. Ultimately, a wet cleaning with a single Sensor Swab did the trick. 

 

Rob

[Peter_S]

Hello!
Thank you all for the helpful replies, much appreciated. The SL is a fascinating and seemingly well designed camera.

Best,
Peter