Cleaning the M8 Sensor, is good enough, good enough

[John in Japan]

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Just got my M8 returned from Solms and had to clean it right away. f 16 looked horrendous after 50 photos.

 

Anyway I've had horrific sensor cleaning stories to tell in the past and I dropped the money for PEC pads, E2 and visibledust sensor brushes.

 

At any rate I took one swipe across with a PEC pad and got 99% of it but it left a big honking dust thingy behind. So I tried to do a rocket blower. No go.

 

So I cleaner her again. Same. I finally got it to where two very very small dots are visible at f 16 and in the lower portion where there is always stuff, and not clear blue sky where it would show up. It's 100% invisible at f 8.

 

I cannot tell you the last time I shot my Summicron 50mm at over f 8. I just don't do it.

 

So, for me this is "good enough".

 

Do you guys clean the sensor until it's perfect or is good enough, good enough?

 

John

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[M6J]

Do you guys clean the sensor until it's perfect or is good enough, good enough?

 

John

 

Yep, mine is perfectly clear

Have you bought the Sensor Loupe? It worths every penny!

[carstenw]

I clean until good enough. I rarely shoot below f/4 and usually wide open.

[guy]

I strive for perfection but am starting to realise that it may not always be attainable (although PecPads and E2 are definitely the best way to go). This may be some kind of Zen.

[Shootist]

I don't care what it takes or how many times I have to do it, I clean my sensors on all digital cameras until there are NO spots of any kind.

If I'm going to clean it, I CLEAN IT. But that's just me, O/C disorder.

[Mark Pope]

I agree with Jordan. The sensor loupe is very good and well worth the expenditure.

I haven't had to wet-clean my sensor yet. I find the visible dust brushes work very well. I have a set that I bought for my EOS20d, but I haven't felt the need to buy a 1.33 size brush. 1.6x works fine.

 

I agree about the 'good enough' maxim. I'm afraid that sensor dirt is just a sad fact of life. If you're using Lightroom, the 'remove spots' tool is quite effective.

[dlc43]

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There is hope. I bought nearly the entire suite of Visible Dust products, including the Loupe. I was successful in removing all dust, but that left one tiny spot that would not budge--composed of what--who knew? Today, I took a deep breath and used their toughest product, Smear Away. And it DID work! What a relief.

To be sure, it's a little scary to take on attacking your fragile sensor all by yourself, going against the commonplace advice: "Don't Try This At Home". But after doing it once, it builds the confidence.

[bradreiman]

good enough is good enough for me. i swab it once and go unless i see a major spot. do this about once a month. i shoot at "wide" apertures mostly...B

[rjrose]

Good enough is just what it says. Spend your time shooting.