M10 sensor cleaning: What is best practice?

[BjarniM]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I’ve got some dust on my sensor, and I’ve already tried with the VSGO Sensor Cleaning Swab (dry), but there are still some spots on the sensor.

I’ve read somewhere that it’s possible to apply cleaning fluid - alcohol? - on the swabs to get rid of tougher spots on the M10-sensor.

I’m living in the Faroe Islands some 1,300 kilometers from the european continent. Therefore I can’t just go to the local photo dealer or Leica store - because there isn’t any near.

I have to order ‘something’ from some dealer in Europe and get it sent to me - hence my doubt and questions about best practice M10-sensor cleaning.

 

- Could I apply ’some kind’ of fluid to the swabs to clean the sensor?

- What is your best practice tip how to clean the sensor?

 

Really hoping for some constructive answers on this thread since I’m 1,300 kilometers from help and have to fix this myself. And also order the required cleaning items on the web.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Advertisement]

The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[jdlaing]

First, and foremost, you should never run a dry swab over the sensor. It could scratch the coatings on the cover glass.

Secondly, I use products by Visible Dust. They work well for me. There are a lot of posts on the forum that give good instructions.

[IkarusJohn]

Sensor swabs are produced in a number of sizes (I use the APS-C sized swabs and do two passes), and they are made in a sterile environment, sent to you sealed.  Eclipse is a brand which comes with a small bottle of isopropanol and a couple of swabs.  It also has instructions.

Done carefully, following the instructions, you should not have a problem.  Start with a blower (Rocket blowers are good), then a careful wet clean, and you should be fine. The risks are using too much fluid, or as JD says above, scratching the cover glass (too much pressure or a dry swab).

Edited December 2, 2019 by IkarusJohn

[IkarusJohn]

3 minutes ago, IkarusJohn said:

 

Edited December 2, 2019 by IkarusJohn
Idiot

[BjarniM]

1 hour ago, jdlaing said:

First, and foremost, you should never run a dry swab over the sensor. It could scratch the coatings on the cover glass. (...)

This is surprising to me.

I wrote to SRB Photographic in the UK since they’re selling VSGO’s Full Frame Sensor Cleaning Kit and asked them which fluid to use with VSGO’s Swabs, and they replied: We do not recommend using any kind of fluid on your sensor.

Therefore your answer surprises me.

Thanks for input.

[a.noctilux]

Since I use digital camera ( and M from M8 till now ) , I always have Reidl Kit de voyage with me, and never scratch the sensor.

Swabs are sealed as John wrote, and use it only once with the Eclipse liquid.

They come in three sizes, and the Eclipse liquid can be used on most sensors.

Most of time, in the pack I add some more Swabs in the good size

Edited December 2, 2019 by a.noctilux

[evikne]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I've got my best results with the Sensor Gel Stick.

[Herr Barnack]

I have an M-P 240 and have always gotten excellent results using:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/259157-REG/Giottos_AA1900_Rocket_Air_Blower.html?sts=pi-ps&pim=Y

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/127525-REG/Photographic_Solutions_EC_Eclipse_Optic_Lens_Cleaning.html

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1165567-REG/photographic_solutions_us3box_ultra_swab_type_3.html

My procedure is -

1:  Take M-P 240, manual and cleaning supplies to as dust free of a location as you can find (an empty part of a library, an empty church auditorium or a museum).

2:   Read cleaning instructions in camera manual and on cleaning fluid and swabs package.  Follow these instructions to the letter.

3:  Remove lens, open camera's shutter curtains per camera manual.  Carefully blow off sensor cover glass without contacting sensor glass with blower tip.

4:  Get one swab, open package, apply 3 drops of cleaning fluid to edge of swab on one side.  Rotate 180 degrees, apply 2 drops to edge of other side.  Wait 10 seconds for fluid to be uniformly absorbed into the swab.

5:  Clean sensor per camera manual instructions.

6:  Close camera's shutter curtains.

The most important things are:  Carefully blow off sensor cover glass without contacting sensor glass with blower tip" and "Read cleaning instructions in camera manual and on cleaning fluid and swabs package.  Follow these instructions to the letter."

If you do that, you should not have any problems.

Edited December 2, 2019 by Herr Barnack

[jaapv]

40 minutes ago, a.noctilux said:

Since I use digital camera ( and M from M8 till now ) , I always have Reidl Kit de voyage with me, and never scratch the sensor.

Swabs are sealed as John wrote, and use it only once with the Eclipse liquid.

They come in three sizes, and the Eclipse liquid can be used on most sensors.

Most of time, in the pack I add some more Swabs in the good size

I find it more practical to use swabs one size down, so APS swabs for full frame, MFT swabs for APS. Much easier to reach into the corners.

[jaapv]

From the general Leica M FAQ:

 

Quote

Question: There are spots on my images, especially at small apertures.

 

 

This is sensor dirt. All digital cameras with interchangeable lenses have this problem, but an M is particularly prone, because there is no mirror as extra barrier and the lack of an AA filter makes the dirt more visible.

 

One should prevent dust from entering the camera as much as possible. There are a number of strategies.

1. Avoid changing lenses more than necessary.

2. Change lenses in as much of a dust-free environment as possible

3. Keep the rear end of the lens as clean as possible

4. Change the lens with the camera mouth facing downwards

5. (This may be a myth) Switch off the camera before changing lenses.

 

But dust will come on the sensor anyway.

Consult the manual to find the sensor cleaning item in the menu and use a FULLY charged battery. Before opening the shutter blow out the camera (using a bulb blower, not compressed air or your mouth!) to dislodge any loose dust.

 

If the dust on the sensor is loose one can blow off the sensor using a good bulb blower, (Rocket Blower by Giotto for instance) with the camera mouth facing downwards.

 

If that does not clear the problem there are sensor brushes like the Arctic Butterfly by Visible Dust that are quite effective or the little vacuum cleaner by Green Clean. At this stage the use of a Sensor Loupe can be very helpful.

 

If spots on the sensor persist you are dealing with stuck dirt like pollen or oil spots and need to revert to wet cleaning. There are numerous threads on the subject. The Visible Dust products are highly recommended or the Green Clean wet-and-dry method.

Use a proper solvent for grease if you think you are dealing with oil etc. (Visible Dust Smear Away or Dust-Aid Sensor Clean

 

Open the shutter for cleaning and blow it once again with a bulb blower or vacuum clean (Green Clean system) it, to remove any loose particles which might be dragged across the sensor and cause scratches.

 

Although the M is full frame and there are size 1 sensor swabs on the market, I prefer using the swabs for 1.3 sensors (and APS-C swabs for the M8)

Take a clean swab, put on three small drops of Sensor Cleaning Fluid and in two sweeps, top and bottom go to one side - do not over-press!!- and sweep back again, using the other side of the swab automatically.

Or, using the wet-and-dry system, swab with the wet sponge and dry with a couple of sweeps with the dry swab. Don't let the fluid spill over the edge of the sensor too much - there are electronic connections there.

 

That is all - close the shutter and test the camera by taking an unfocused image of an evenly lit surface at the smallest aperture.

 

In the unlikely case it is needed, repeat.

 

There are other cleaning systems, such as stamping tools. I find them quite effective, as long as there are no greasy spots on the sensor.

Just stamp, don't rub. They are a bit scary as one pulls the cover glass. Leica Customer Service seem to be quite happy using them, so they should be safe.
To rlease them from the sensor, don't pull, wobble.

.

There are also sensor cleaning services or Leica Customer Service, but those are expensive and will keep the camera for a while. They may also not be readily available if one is travelling. Sensor cleaning is something any owner should be able to do himself.

 

If you are fairly certain your spots are oil or grease, it may be wise to omit the step with the Arctic Butterfly, as it may become contaminated by the grease. In case that happens it can be cleaned with the special fluid provided.

 

[BjarniM]

On 12/2/2019 at 6:58 PM, jaapv said:

From the general Leica M FAQ:

 

 

Thanks, jaapv.