Advice on Cleaning Sensor

[johnbuckley]

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So I went to my favorite camera store today to pick up my original M8, which had been in Solms for quite some time following SDS back in April. I also picked up a sensor cleaning kit, as my other M8 has recently gotten a LOT of use out West, where it is always dry and dusty. I clean the one with the spots on the sensor -- but now it seems worse!

 

Here's what I did: I gently swabbed it -- the swab, which came in a kit, was wet on one side, and dry on the other. But this has now produced what appear to be strands of dirt on the sensor. I don't think I've done anything to the sensor because what looks like splotches and hair do seem to be in different places on different photos. But I have tried getting them out with a blower, and with a brush. No good.

 

Fortunately, camera 1 came back from Solms with a clean sensor -- thank you, Leica -- so I am good to go with the one, but not both cameras.

 

Any advice on how to recitify this, o helpful group of fellow M8 sensor cleaners? Cheers, and thanks in advance. JB

[marknorton]

I think it's easy to be too quick when cleaning a sensor. As you draw the swab across the sensor, you are relying on the solvent to loosen any dust and then retain it. I used to say 3 - 4 seconds, but 8 - 10 is more like it.

 

If the swab is on a plastic holder, you also need to press hard enough to slightly bend the stem.

 

I'd try the cleaning operation again.

[jrc]

I think it's easy to be too quick when cleaning a sensor. As you draw the swab across the sensor, you are relying on the solvent to loosen any dust and then retain it. I used to say 3 - 4 seconds, but 8 - 10 is more like it.

If the swab is on a plastic holder, you also need to press hard enough to slightly bend the stem.

I'd try the cleaning operation again.

 

What Mark said.

 

I'd add that I've cleaned a lot of these things, and I think there's a tendency to be TOO gentle. For God's sakes, don't jamb the swab in there, or scrub it, but you've got to be in definite contact with the sensor. In the unlikely event that you don't have enough crap to carry around with you, I'd recommend that you try the Visible Dust sensor loupe, which you can buy at a lot of on-line stores including Amazon. It has its own lights, comes in a handly little travel pack, and allows you to minutely inspect your sensor, to determine the exact amount, location and quality of your sensor dirt. That, a couple of swabs, and the Visible Dust brushes takes care of about everything.

 

JC

[johnbuckley]

Good advice. Many thanks. JB

[johnbuckley]

Okay, was a little less gingerly with the cleaner and the swab and... works like a charm. And just ordered the loupe. Thanks. JB

[Shootist]

John you need to invest in either sensor swabs from Photographic Solutions or there PEC-PADS and a sensor wand and some Eclipse E2.

 

Not sure what system you are now using but the one thing you don't want to do it touch a dirty sensor with a dry swab.

 

I have had to do repetitive WET cleaning to get all the spots off the M8 sensor. First I blow the shutter box out with the shutter closed and then I do it again with the shutter open and sensor exposed. I then do a WET, 5-7 drops of E2, cleaning using A CopperHill sensor wand with a PEC-PAD around it. I swipe very slowly making sure the solution has some time to get into the dust spots. I then do a second cleaning with a NEW PEC-PAD and only using 2 or 3 drops of E2 solution. I then take a shot and see if it's clean. I usually repeat this at least once to get it clean.

[johnbuckley]

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Ed - I've been using PEC-PAD and E2 solution. Before today, I've been using an Arctic Butterfly brush and blower, but had not done a wet cleaning. I've only touched the sensor with a wettened PEC-PAD, and then dried it with the reverse side. But I get the point that there needs to be plenty of solution. I've taken this particular M8 to the desert, to windy mountains, and changed lenses regularly while in the field; it's just in the last week that I realized there was enough gunk on the sensor that couldn't be blown off that I needed to go the wet route. Thank you so much for the advice, which I will put to use. JB

[jaapv]

NO-NO- definitely NOT plenty of solution. Theoretically that could work its way between the sensor and the filter, and that would really be disastrous! The trick is to not just "touch it" that is useless, it needs to be swiped with some gentle pressure in one smooth movement, if you use the right amount of fluid it should NOT be dried, it will evaporate within a second. Going at it with a dry pad risks scratches and "burn" trails. The moist swipe can be repeated if it does not clear up all, I sometimes use three or four pads for one cleaning. As Ed mentions 5-7 drops is absolutely the maximum you want to use. I would advise less, 3-4 max.

[marknorton]

Yes, the swab should be damp not wet, you are relying on the blotting action of the swab to draw the liquid and mobile dust particles up off the sensor surface.

 

If you want to try it out first, sprinkle some paprika on a blank CD and "sensor clean" that; you'll be able to see how well you are doing and whether you are leaving any residues.

[Shootist]

Jaapv and Mark

I use about 5-7 drops ON the PEC-PAD for the FIRST swiping. Then I do it one more time with a NEW, NOT the same, PEC-PAD with ONLY 2-3 drops. Both passes are done at a fairly slow speed. I never drop fluid directly on the sensor cover glass.

And yes I use a moderate pressure on the swab. Not real hard and not real soft. I make sure the whole swap is touching the sensor.

 

Seems to work for me on both M8's and the D200.

[jaapv]

I'm sure you do it in a sensible way, Ed, that is why I referred to your post as a maximum amount. One other poster, however, mentioned "there needs to be plenty of solution" I had visions of drowned sensors and of of threads like "I cleaned my sensor and Leica sent me a 1750 Euro repair bill"......

[guy]

FWIW, I've tried "Dust Aid", which is a dry cleaning method using a tacky pad to lift dirt from the sensor. It sounds good on paper but my experience is that it really, really didn't work. I had to use eight or ten tacky pads to get anywhere: mostly they just moved dust around, and one or two stubborn bits never came off. PecPads and E2 from now on.

[johnbuckley]

After leaving the camera overnight, I just reviewed what dust, if any, is left on the sensor. Everything seems to be fine... except two pesky tiny spots still there. When I get my sensor loupe, I'll try again, with a MODERATE amount of fluid, and use Jaap's method. Thank you all. JB

[Iron Flatline]

In the unlikely event that you don't have enough crap to carry around with you......

Favorite quote of the evening. That's it, I'm going to bed! Thanks for that...

[ttriolo]

FWIW, I've tried "Dust Aid", which is a dry cleaning method using a tacky pad to lift dirt from the sensor. It sounds good on paper but my experience is that it really, really didn't work. I had to use eight or ten tacky pads to get anywhere: mostly they just moved dust around, and one or two stubborn bits never came off. PecPads and E2 from now on.

 

I just read where Photographic Solutions does not recommend the use of Pec-Pads on a CCD sensor but use Sensor Swabs instead. This is what they say:

 

PEC*PAD is NOT recommended for cleaning the CCD. It is not the same material used in the Sensor Swabs. PSI does not approve or warranty the CCD or any camera part from any damage caused by using non approved products.

 

Has anyone had problems using Pec-Pads on the M8 CCD?

[davidada]

Hi john,

I have used dust aid pads and for my M8 they worked perfectly, I prefer this method over swabbing, my sensor was moderately dirty maybe four to six spots and the dust aid cleaned then first try. worth trying as it is non invasive.

[Guest sirvine]

That sensor loupe from visible dust is pretty damn useful. I even use it to clean/inspect lenses and all kinds of other stuff for fun.

[Shootist]

Hi john,

I have used dust aid pads and for my M8 they worked perfectly, I prefer this method over swabbing, my sensor was moderately dirty maybe four to six spots and the dust aid cleaned then first try. worth trying as it is non invasive.

I must disagree on the Non invasive part. I personally would never touch a sensor in any camera with sticky stuff. And that is waht you are doing, IE placing a pad with adhesive on it directly on the sensor. I would call that invasive.

To each his own.

[Shootist]

I just read where Photographic Solutions does not recommend the use of Pec-Pads on a CCD sensor but use Sensor Swabs instead. This is what they say:

 

PEC*PAD is NOT recommended for cleaning the CCD. It is not the same material used in the Sensor Swabs. PSI does not approve or warranty the CCD or any camera part from any damage caused by using non approved products.

 

Has anyone had problems using Pec-Pads on the M8 CCD?

Look at it this way.

PSI recommends PP for lens cleaning. They don't for sensor cover glass cleaning. A Lens may have a coating on the exterior of front element that can be easily scratched and or worn through, most sensor cover glass has whatever coatings on the inside of it. A pack of 100 PP costs $10 +/- and a pack of 12? SS costs $40-$50.

If I was manufacturing and selling both I wouldn't recommend PP either.

I've been using PP for sensor cleaning for about 2 years and haven't had any problems with them.

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[marknorton]

I think the pricing of sensor swabs cashes in on the fear of damaging the sensor. They're more expensive, so they must be special, right? Like Ed, I use Pec-Pads for sensor cleaning and haven't had a problem.