Sensor cleaning and corrosion - need advice on M9 with Eyelead Blue

[Keith chen]

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Hi all,

Just got my first Leica from Leica Miami. It is a used M9 with recently replaced CCD (i believe this is the post 2015 new design, which is not prone to corrosion).

As I received the camera, noticed that there are sensor dusts, no surprise there. Used rocket blower, which moved the dusts around instead of removing them... After some research, I decided to give the Eyelead gel stick a try. I see that there are two versions, the original blue one and the orange one for Sony/Leica. I talked to a tech person from the Leica Miami store, and he recommended the blue one. He was pretty confident that the blue one works well on M9, and wouldn't cause problem like leaving residual on the sensor. He also mentioned that the blue one is what the Miami store and Leical Germany use. Because Leica Miami doesn't carry the orange one and it is out of stock at photographylife, I decided to go with the blue one and i will receive it in a couple days. 

Before I actually stick the thing on the sensor, just want to get everyone's opinion on how to properly use it. Based on what I've read, stick it on the sensor gently, don't pull up but try to wobble it to unstick, and don't drag on the sensor either. Is this right?

I have seen a older post from jaapv that he had good experience with the blue one for Leica. I am wondering if anything changed recently so that one has use the orange one instead? The notice from photographylife makes me worry as it states that newer Leica sensor, including the m9 new design i assume,  is not safe with the blue one...

Also, about corrosion - after using the blower, while most dusts moved around, there is one stayed at the same spot (circled in black in the attach picture, 200% zoom). Looks like a dust to me but the small 'white halo' around it makes me worry a bit. The one sitting in the green circle is a new dust after using the blower. 

Anything suggestion is appreciated. Thanks in advance!

 

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[ianman]

I've never seen people using a blue one. Even in the Leica video I saw they were using orange. But beside that I would never use this again, whatever the colour... as it left marks on my sensor which could not be removed. I use the LensPen sensor cleaner and it's the only method that I've found that actually works as they say on the tin.

[antigallican]

Before you dab at the sensor, could I suggest you try a giotto blower with the camera's lens opening pointing at the ground? Continue to blow as long as you can stand it. Before putting any lens on it brush or Giotto blow the rear of the lens. Good luck.

[ianman]

9 minutes ago, antigallican said:

I suggest you try a giotto blower

The OP write that he did use a blower, but like my own experience, it doesn't seem to do much good. Now I use the blower on my negatives before scanning, and for that it works well.

ps: I used to be a big fan of "Pie in the sky" 🙂🙂

 

Edited October 30, 2018 by ianman

[Graham (G4FUJ)]

17 hours ago, ianman said:

ps: I used to be a big fan of "Pie in the sky" 

Off-topic - that was an excellent series Ian.

A Lens-Pen brush has removed all bar one dust particle. Like the Op I have found all the blower does is move the dust around my M8's sensor. 

[antigallican]

On 10/30/2018 at 3:42 PM, ianman said:

The OP write that he did use a blower, but like my own experience, it doesn't seem to do much good. Now I use the blower on my negatives before scanning, and for that it works well.

ps: I used to be a big fan of "Pie in the sky" 🙂🙂

 

Ah that was a while ago Graham and Ian. But thanks for the thought. I loved doing it.

Back on topic, it was holding the camera upside down while you puffed the Giotto I was really recommending. 

[Jean-Michel]

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No diagnosis from me, but, if I may, I suggest that the spot is either an oily deposit or, because of the halo, a corrosion spot.  I would return the camera to the dealer and let them diagnose/fix. I am surprised that the dealer would have sent you the camera with "bonus" dust on the sensor!  

For cleaning any of my sensors I use a blower and if needed an Arctic Butterfly brush; I check the sensor with their illuminated loupe. 

[davidbaddley]

I've always had great results using a Sensor Swab with a couple of drops of Eclipse fluid. Try wet cleaning. It's easy to learn, it works really well, and not as scary as it seems.

 

[jaapv]

On 10/30/2018 at 3:55 PM, ianman said:

I've never seen people using a blue one. Even in the Leica video I saw they were using orange. But beside that I would never use this again, whatever the colour... as it left marks on my sensor which could not be removed. I use the LensPen sensor cleaner and it's the only method that I've found that actually works as they say on the tin.

Come watch me... I have been using the thing on all my cameras for many years.

[silverchrome]

On 11/12/2018 at 1:09 AM, jaapv said:

Come watch me... I have been using the thing on all my cameras for many years.

I've never had a problem either.

And Eclipse fluid and Pec-Pads  usually fixes everything.  In my case at least.

[viramati]

I used to use the blue Eyelead gel stick on my M9 and M240 and never had a problem. I now have the orange one that I use with my Sony's

Edited November 19, 2018 by viramati