Tried and tested sensor cleaning

[fatihayoglu]

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Hi all,

 

So I have found a small speck on my sensor which a rocket blower didn’t work on. It looks like I need to clean it by myself.

 

What are the tested and confirmed items should I get, Ive seen some sticky gels or brushes with solutions etc, but not quite sure about brands and models. Any feedback is welcome.

 

Many thanks,

 

Fatih

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[frame-it]

https://www.amazon.com/PENTAX-cleaning-kit-imagesensor-o-ick1/dp/B000KQGM6A

[ianman]

I'm not keen on those gel sticks, once one left traces that were a real sod to get off. In fact they stayed until my sensor was change (M9). Since, I have been using the LensPen sensor cleaner. For me, it's the best yet.

[MyLeicaWorld]

I would not recommend any liquid solutions for the sensor cleaning. If there is a mark that can not be removed via using lenspen or rocket blower then a professional help might be useful.

[jaapv]

Page 1, post #12 0f the FAQ thread. And is is probably the second most F asked Q....

 

 

https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/125097-the-original-faq-thread/?p=1376034

[250swb]

The best things to use are wet cleaning for oily and stuck deposits and a gel stick, such as an Eyelead, for loose dust. Don't use a Rocket blower, it will simply redistribute the dust inside the camera and not necessarily remove it. Home sensor cleaning is easy, if a trainee in the back room of a camera shop can do it then so can you.

Edited October 7, 2018 by 250swb

[jaapv]

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One reason to use a bulb  blower is to remove loose scratchy dust before starting a cleaning procedure.

The other is to get something off during a shoot. Keep the camera mount pointing down, with a bit of luck it will fall out and not be redistributed.

[Guest]

Page 1, post #12 0f the FAQ thread. And is is probably the second most F asked Q....

 

 

https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/125097-the-original-faq-thread/?p=1376034

 

I'm feeling embarrassed now. In a decade of M ownership, I've never cleaned my sensors...not once 

[silverchrome]

I think the gel sticks are indispensable because they pick up any loose dirt that can scratch the sensor.  I usually go with the blower first, then the stick, and a wet clean with Eclipse and a Pec-Pad wrapped around an old sensor swab stick. 

 

A gel stick alone has never worked for me.

[albertknappmd]

Blower first with camera upside down to remove particulate matter that could scratch..

then either arctic butterfly or gel stick both with the magnified light..

if all fails, then methanol or eclipse wet cleans....

Albert     

[LBJ2]

After several passes the Eclipse fluid did not work for me. Left many streaks when using only two drops and did not clean stubborn spots. Ultimately, 99.9%  Isopropyl alcohol did work perfectly but had to order on line as no local shops offered 99.9%. Cleaned the stubborn spots and evaporated 100% no streaks within seconds. 

I heard the 99.9% Isopropyl tip from this Leica CS sensor cleaning video here: https://leicarumors.com/2017/04/05/how-to-clean-a-leica-m-camerasensor-video.aspx/

I used with success:

1. Used blower to blow off anything that might scratch. The Video above recommends a vacuum pump and does not recommend blower but I couldn't find a vacuum pump for sale anywhere. If anyone knows where to buy this sort of vacuum pump please post.

2. Sensor Gel Stick ( a must have IMO) In most situations the Gel Stick can take away most spots/debris without wet cleaning.

3. Visual Dust 1.6x swabs (Orange) Smaller 1.6x size allows for very slight/gentle scrubbing. One pass of FF sized swab back and forth did not clean the stubborn spots.

4. I swabbed with the Isopropyl an dabbed with the Gel Pen once sensor cover glass was dry. This approach seem to clean all stubborn spots. 

 

Note: 99.9% Isopropyl Alcohol Electronics Cleaner  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0047YB3OW/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

Edited October 10, 2018 by LBJ2

[pico]

I do not know where LBJ2 lives, but 99% Isopropyl is available in USA Target and ACE hardware stores at economical rates.

Aside: A virtue of lower percent Isopropyl dilutions is that it penetrates certain bacterial spores while higher consecrations do not. Enough trivia.

Edited October 10, 2018 by pico

[david strachan]

I've had trouble with the Eyelead gel sticks too. Shows up in LR's spot detection.

 

Used once on my M-P...left about 6 faint rings.  Will try a wet clean soon, but haven't cleaned for about 8 months.

 

...

Edited October 10, 2018 by david strachan

[Irakly Shanidze]

I've been using the Arctic Butterfly brush since 2007. Works like a charm.

[250swb]

10 hours ago, LBJ2 said:

After several passes the Eclipse fluid did not work for me. Left many streaks when using only two drops and did not clean stubborn spots.

 

Not all sensor cleaning fluids are created equally. VisibleDust make various types of cleaning fluid and after a long time between cleans it's a good idea to use one for oily spots then finish off with the standard fluid. Isopropyl is however good for oily spots and I suspect this is what in in the VisibleDust bottle. In the UK Isopropyl alcohol is available via eBay for not much money. I have found when using Isopropyl as the only cleaning fluid it does sometimes create streaks when it cleans off oily deposits (anybody remember the M9's propensity to shed oil from the shutter when new) but a second wash fixes it.

[budjames]

On 10/8/2018 at 1:03 PM, albertknappmd said:

Blower first with camera upside down to remove particulate matter that could scratch..

then either arctic butterfly or gel stick both with the magnified light..

if all fails, then methanol or eclipse wet cleans....

Albert     

I agree with this recommendation. I have cleaned both of my M10. sensors this way with excellent results. 

 

Regards,

Bud James

 

Please check out my fine art and travel photography at www.budjames.photography or on Instagram at www.instagram.com/budjamesphoto.

[carbon_dragon]

I always am pretty paranoid when changing lenses. I turn the camera off, get the new lens ready to place, turn the camera upside down (which is a bit awkward), remove the old lens and attach the new one as quickly as possible, replace the back cap on the old lens and put it away, and then turn the camera back on.

Maybe some of this procedure is meaningless, but I figure it might reduce the addition of more dust and it seems to work. I just had to take a rocket blower to my new (used but new to me) M10 to remove some dust. The dust detection system is kind of cool. Just wish it could remove it too, but with the blower seemed to take care of it.

[SMAL]

vor 1 Stunde schrieb carbon_dragon:

I always am pretty paranoid when changing lenses. I turn the camera off, get the new lens ready to place, turn the camera upside down (which is a bit awkward), remove the old lens and attach the new one as quickly as possible, replace the back cap on the old lens and put it away, and then turn the camera back on.

Maybe some of this procedure is meaningless, but I figure it might reduce the addition of more dust and it seems to work. I just had to take a rocket blower to my new (used but new to me) M10 to remove some dust. The dust detection system is kind of cool. Just wish it could remove it too, but with the blower seemed to take care of it.

Same here.

I only clean with a rocket blower some time and that’s it. 

I bought a gel stick because my Sonys are awfully dusty since the sensor is always exposed not covered with the shutter like the M10.

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