Advice for proper sensor cleaning services for my SL2-S?

[jackbaty]

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I learned something recently. When you think there's a little dust on your sensor, DO NOT just blow really hard on it. Especially if you have any saliva nearby. I mean, I knew this, but it was just a spot of dust. So yeah, I spit on my SL2-S sensor and now there's a big splotch on it.

I've tried the swab/solution to clean it, but without any luck, and I'm not comfortable really digging at it. Does this need to go to Leica for a proper cleaning? Or could I maybe contact a local camera shop and see if they have anyone competent?

 

Edited January 14, 2022 by jackbaty

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[michali]

12 hours ago, jackbaty said:

I learned something recently. When you think there's a little dust on your sensor, DO NOT just blow really hard on it. Especially if you have any saliva nearby. I mean, I knew this, but it was just a spot of dust. So yeah, I spit on my SL2-S sensor and now there's a big splotch on it.

I've tried the swab/solution to clean it, but without any luck, and I'm not comfortable really digging at it. Does this need to go to Leica for a proper cleaning? Or could I maybe contact a local camera shop and see if they have anyone competent?

 

When it comes to removing stubborn spots on the sensor, I've had varying degrees of success with different products. The one product that I've found which works really well where other products haven't, is Visible Dust's  Smear Away™ liquid sensor cleaning solution then followed up with either Sensor Clean™ liquid sensor cleaning solution or 99.9% Isopropyl Alcohol to remove any streaks. In each stage it takes a few passes over the sensor to 1. remove the spots & then 2. remove any fine streaks which the Smear Away leaves. 

Here's the procedure I use on my SL2 & SL2-S :

 

Edited January 15, 2022 by michali

[jackbaty]

4 hours ago, michali said:

When it comes to removing stubborn spots on the sensor, I've had varying degrees of success with different products. The one product that I've found which works really well where other products haven't, is Visible Dust's  Smear Away™ liquid sensor cleaning solution then followed up with either Sensor Clean™ liquid sensor cleaning solution or 99.9% Isopropyl Alcohol to remove any streaks.

Thank you for the recommendation. I see Visible Dust come up a lot.

[Paul2660]

You might also google the "math photographer" he has a video on cleaning a IBIS equipped camera.  Basically you need to wipe it with the camera on, as they locks down the sensor, as if you try it with the camera off, the sensor will move as you apply pressure with the swab.  But his video is very helpful and I believe he also uses the Visible Dust products.  

Here is the link to the video:

Paul 

Edited January 15, 2022 by Paul2660

[jackbaty]

5 minutes ago, Paul2660 said:

You might also google the "math photographer" he has a video on cleaning a IBIS equipped camera.  Basically you need to wipe it with the camera on, as they locks down the sensor, as if you try it with the camera off, the sensor will move as you apply pressure with the swab.  But his video is very helpful and I believe he also uses the Visible Dust products.  

 

Thanks. I had the camera turned on while cleaning, for that very reason. I don't doubt that the Visible Dust product is better, but I'm not sure how it could be so much better that it cleans the blob I'm dealing with. I put as much pressure on the sensor as I'm comfortable with, so simply using a different solution doesn't seem like it would help. It's all a little scary!

[Jeff S]

You’re cleaning the cover glass, not the sensor itself, so following swab/solution instructions should work fine with reasonable care and without fear.  But, yes, a good camera or repair shop will often offer cleaning services.
 

Jeff 

[jackbaty]

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As a follow up, and emboldened by Jeff's reminder that it's really just glass, I attempted another cleaning. This time I sort of "dug in there" with the swab and, although it took some time and more pressure than I was comfortable with, the smudges seem to be gone and I'm not seeing any spots in the photos.

Whew, that was scary, but I seemed to have gotten away with it.

Edited January 16, 2022 by jackbaty

[michali]

5 hours ago, jackbaty said:

As a follow up, and emboldened by Jeff's reminder that it's really just glass, I attempted another cleaning. This time I sort of "dug in there" with the swab and, although it took some time and more pressure than I was comfortable with, the smudges seem to be gone and I'm not seeing any spots in the photos.

Whew, that was scary, but I seemed to have gotten away with it.

Good news. My fear is not about damaging the sensor glass cover, it's more about causing damage to the IBIS mechanism of the sensor by putting too much pressure when cleaning. I can only imagine how fine those tolerances must be 😰

[jackbaty]

37 minutes ago, michali said:

Good news. My fear is not about damaging the sensor glass cover, it's more about causing damage to the IBIS mechanism of the sensor by putting too much pressure when cleaning. I can only imagine how fine those tolerances must be 😰

I know what you mean. I have noticed no ill effects yet, so I've hopefully dodged that bullet 🤞

[RoySmith]

8 hours ago, jackbaty said:

As a follow up, and emboldened by Jeff's reminder that it's really just glass, I attempted another cleaning. This time I sort of "dug in there" with the swab and, although it took some time and more pressure than I was comfortable with, the smudges seem to be gone and I'm not seeing any spots in the photos.

Whew, that was scary, but I seemed to have gotten away with it.

Which cleaner did you use ?
I imagine you also used several swabs. 

[jackbaty]

10 hours ago, RoySmith said:

Which cleaner did you use ?
I imagine you also used several swabs. 

I used Eclipse solution with "Photosol" swabs. You're right, I used several swabs. (These swabs: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0029WUKVG)

 

[Eclectic Man]

On 1/14/2022 at 5:30 PM, jackbaty said:

I learned something recently. When you think there's a little dust on your sensor, DO NOT just blow really hard on it. Especially if you have any saliva nearby. I mean, I knew this, but it was just a spot of dust. So yeah, I spit on my SL2-S sensor and now there's a big splotch on it.

I've tried the swab/solution to clean it, but without any luck, and I'm not comfortable really digging at it. Does this need to go to Leica for a proper cleaning? Or could I maybe contact a local camera shop and see if they have anyone competent?

 

In biology class at school, in one experiment I got several of my fellow students to breath on a Petri dish filled with agar.  The dish was then put in an incubator for a few days and the results viewed.  There were several bacterial and fungal growths.  Whatever you do, DO NOT BREATHE INTO YOUR CAMERA!  You do not want a fungal or bacterial colony growing inside it!

In the UK, I have been informed by Leica Mayfair, that I can have my camera sensor cleaned for free once per year. (But please check, as I might have got this wrong.)

You can try a filtered blower rather than breathing, (essential that it is filtered, my ageing 'Rocket' blower was actually depositing particles of perished rubber on the sensor) but I'd only get cleaning equipment from a reputable photographic dealer.

For the outside of the camera, I find a rock climber's brush good for removing dust without damaging it pretty good (wooden handle, real bristles, like an enormous soft toothbrush, really).

But please, don't breathe into your camera again. <Shudders.>

[jackbaty]

7 minutes ago, Eclectic Man said:

But please, don't breathe into your camera again. <Shudders.>

Oh, I have learned my lesson, for sure! 😀. And thanks for the blower/brush advice and info.