Help! I think I scratched my SL2 sensor :(

[LeicaTL35]

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Hello,

As I saw YouTube tutorials, I wanted to clean my Leica SL2 camera's sensor for the first time.

First I removed the extra dust using the air blower as much as I can.. I switched on the camera as the tutorial says, just to lock IBIS. I used the swab with the proper solution which it comes with (3 or 4 drops) and I moved the swab from one side to another back and forth.

The unfortunate result is in the picture that I attach.. I am not sure if I scratched the sensor or just left streaks on it. Can you tell the difference? What should I do? 

Btw, I can still have shots without a visible trace until f/8, from f/11 that trace is becoming visible.

The guy in the video made much more swab moves but nothing happened. I just moved it twice and this is what happened. 

 If it as scratched is it replaceable? Did you have any this kind of experience? I really appreciate your advice.

Thanks!

 

IMG_6273.HEIC

[Marac]

Difficult to tell really from the pic but it does not resemble a scratch to me. Try running a wet swab (not drenched) from top to bottom and see if you notice any change. you can also have a good look at it with a delkin scope or magnifying glass to see what it is.

[Ingo]

It's really unlikely to scratch a sensor with a swab. Probaly it is just 'grease'. Repeat the cleaning with the swab. But better in one direction only. 
And use a loupe to check the result.

[michali]

48 minutes ago, LeicaTL35 said:

Hello,

As I saw YouTube tutorials, I wanted to clean my Leica SL2 camera's sensor for the first time.

First I removed the extra dust using the air blower as much as I can.. I switched on the camera as the tutorial says, just to lock IBIS. I used the swab with the proper solution which it comes with (3 or 4 drops) and I moved the swab from one side to another back and forth.

The unfortunate result is in the picture that I attach.. I am not sure if I scratched the sensor or just left streaks on it. Can you tell the difference? What should I do? 

Btw, I can still have shots without a visible trace until f/8, from f/11 that trace is becoming visible.

The guy in the video made much more swab moves but nothing happened. I just moved it twice and this is what happened. 

 If it as scratched is it replaceable? Did you have any this kind of experience? I really appreciate your advice.

Thanks!

 

IMG_6273.HEIC 582.88 kB · 19 downloads

Given the size of the mark, it's unlikely to be a scratch unless there was a large grain of sand, which you would've probably noticed. Any dust or marks on the sensor are usually visible from f8 onwards.

Here's an outline of the procedure I use on the SL2, with no issues so far:

 

 

 

[LeicaTL35]

Thank you so much for your answers. Now I think that it might be a streak or a stubborn dirt. I will try to repeat the process carefully. 

[jaapv]

I too think that it is a streak. However, in future follow the cleaning protocol in the Leica M  forums FAQ. You’ll find that wet cleaning is rarely needy, more of a last resort v

[Photoworks]

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You should just try to clean it. I had spots on the sensor that took 4 wet brushes to clean.

I highly suggest not using the sticky stick. it left micro glue spots on the surface. they are hard to see without a magnifying glass, but visible in capture.

[RoySmith]

+1 on getting a loupe as Ingo advised. It will help you to see if a cleaning is needed, and will let you see if a mark is a smear, dust, etc. 

I have an older Visible Dust one which works great.

[LeicaTL35]

Hello Again,

 

I used 3 more swabs to clean this very stubborn dirt. It got really smaller and it is not so visible until I shoot at even f/11.

For now I think it is enough for me. I will not do this a little stressful process in the near future as long as I really need. 

I wanted to do it myself but now it seems more logical to get it cleaned by professionals.. 

Thanks for your help..

 

[MarkinVan]

5 hours ago, jaapv said:

I too think that it is a streak. However, in future follow the cleaning protocol in the Leica M  forums FAQ. You’ll find that wet cleaning is rarely needy, more of a last resort v

Hi;

Would you have a link please.

Appreciate it.

[jaapv]

https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/216580-leica-m8-m82-m9-m9p-mm-mtyp240-faqs-questions-with-answers/?do=findComment&comment=2464057

[MarkinVan]

2 hours ago, jaapv said:

https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/216580-leica-m8-m82-m9-m9p-mm-mtyp240-faqs-questions-with-answers/?do=findComment&comment=2464057

Thank you 

[Tp2000]

On 5/5/2021 at 3:47 PM, LeicaTL35 said:

Hello Again,

 

I used 3 more swabs to clean this very stubborn dirt. It got really smaller and it is not so visible until I shoot at even f/11.

For now I think it is enough for me. I will not do this a little stressful process in the near future as long as I really need. 

I wanted to do it myself but now it seems more logical to get it cleaned by professionals.. 

Thanks for your help..

 

Not sure where you live but did something similar on a m camera a while back. The Leica store with their sensor cleaning service worked wonders on it. 

[chris_tribble]

Glad you’ve recovered the situation. My experience is that I’ve only needed to use a blower on the SL2 sensor. If there’s residual dust I’d use the Arctic Butterfly brush system. Don’t be too nervous about these sensors. They’re surprisingly robust if sensibly treated. 

[jrp]

Sony used to insist you had your sensor cleaned professionally, not because you’d scratch it but because you might disturb the ibis. I take mine in to Leica once a year for a more thorough clean. 

[Eclectic Man]

7 hours ago, chris_tribble said:

Glad you’ve recovered the situation. My experience is that I’ve only needed to use a blower on the SL2 sensor. If there’s residual dust I’d use the Arctic Butterfly brush system. Don’t be too nervous about these sensors. They’re surprisingly robust if sensibly treated. 

I am convinced that my old 'Rocket' blower was perishing and depositing little bits of rubber on the sensor every time I 'cleaned' it.  Since then I have only used the soft brushes and disposable swabs with solvent to clean the sensor.  I do have one of the 'sticky pad' cleaners, but you need to be careful to really clean the sticky head.

According to the UK London Leica store, you get a free sensor clean per year (assuming you are the legitimate owner of the camera).

[jaapv]

Rocket uses some kind of (recycled?) rubber that may deteriorate over time; for instance EyeLead uses more stable PVC "rubber" for their blower.

https://www.amazon.com/Eyelead-AB-1-Basic-Blower-Filter/dp/B004A50UVK/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=eyelead+blower&qid=1620410816&sr=8-2

[chris_tribble]

13 hours ago, Eclectic Man said:

 

According to the UK London Leica store, you get a free sensor clean per year (assuming you are the legitimate owner of the camera).

That’s interesting. Thanks.

[Michael Markey]

13 hours ago, jaapv said:

Rocket uses some kind of (recycled?) rubber that may deteriorate over time; for instance EyeLead uses more stable PVC "rubber" for their blower.

https://www.amazon.com/Eyelead-AB-1-Basic-Blower-Filter/dp/B004A50UVK/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=eyelead+blower&qid=1620410816&sr=8-2

That`s worth noting .

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