Sensor Cleaning Steps

[JoeyDGA]

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Would anyone mind sharing a simple step by step of the M11 sensor cleaning procedure relating to menu items  etc. I use a Rocket Blower on my A7R4 as well as the full sensor cleaning swabs. As the M11 is a fixed sensor it should work with that as well.  

[jaapv]

Please consult the Leica M FAQ. 

[FlashGordonPhotography]

Sorry Japp. Not a cool reply. Cameras have different menus settings to access sensor cleaning. If you don't have an M11 maybe not always feel the need to contribute.

M11 sesnor cleaning settings are located at the bottom of the camera settings section (page 4 of the menu). You select sensor cleaning and then YES. Turn the camera off after cleaning.

Gordon

[JoeyDGA]

thank you for your reply...so I imagine that that setting opens shutter until the camera is turned off? So the cleaning takes place with the power on? 

[jaapv]

12 hours ago, FlashGordonPhotography said:

Sorry Japp. Not a cool reply. Cameras have different menus settings to access sensor cleaning. If you don't have an M11 maybe not always feel the need to contribute.

M11 sesnor cleaning settings are located at the bottom of the camera settings section (page 4 of the menu). You select sensor cleaning and then YES. Turn the camera off after cleaning.

Gordon

Well, sorry I thought that would be a given and set out in the manual. I supposed that the OP meant the sensor cleaning itself which is pretty much identical for any camera. 

BTW   not owning one does not mean never having used one 

[FlashGordonPhotography]

On 1/24/2024 at 3:15 PM, JoeyDGA said:

thank you for your reply...so I imagine that that setting opens shutter until the camera is turned off? So the cleaning takes place with the power on? 

The shutter opens when you turn the camera on. That setting disables the shutter button so you can't accidentally destroy the shutter and sensor during cleaning.

Gordon

[MattMaber]

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yeah you say select the sensor cleaning menu, the shutter opens (if it sees to close with no lens) then turn the camera off and theres about a 10s delay 

[Herr Barnack]

Here is a blog post I wrote back in 2016 on sensor cleaning:

Quote

Digital Camera Sensor Cleaning

 

Digital cameras have sensors; unless your camera has a built in dust reduction system, sooner or later your sensor will need to be cleaned - it's inevitable.  Then what?? 

It's a lot quicker, easier and less costly to do it yourself - if you follow your camera manual instructions exactly and are careful, you can successfully clean your camera's sensor yourself.  A lot of photographers fear damaging their sensor and will do about anything to avoid cleaning it themselves.  However, there is no reason to be afraid to do this procedure yourself, provided you do it properly.

You will need the right sensor cleaning supplies - I use Eclipse Optic Cleaning Fluid and Photosol Sensorswab Ultra sensor cleaning swabs.  If your camera has a full frame (24x36mm ) sensor, you will need the Type 3 swabs; they are 24 mm wide, as is your sensor.  APS-C and smaller sensors will need smaller swabs.  Photosol's website has information that will help you determine which swab is right for your camera.

One of the most important factors in successful sensor cleaning is to perform this procedure in a clean, dust free environment.  Not many of us have access to a clean room such as computer manufacturers build computers in.  If your home has airborne dust issues you will need to clean your sensor in an environment where dust is less of a problem (you can check for airborne dust by looking through the beam of a bright flashlight at night; if you see a lot of dust particles dancing in the air, you should probably go elsewhere to clean your sensor).  Where would that be?  Try a museum or a library; find a spot away from frequent foot traffic, entries and exits and away from heating and cooling ducts that will cause airflow that will stir up any dust that may be present.. 

Another important point is this - do not use compressed air ("canned air") to blow dust from your sensor before cleaning.  Canned air can spray liquid propellant onto your sensor cover glass, something you do not want to happen.  That liquid can also get behind the sensor and into the electronic components of your camera.  If that happens, you are in for a serious repair bill.  Instead of canned air, use a blower bulb like the Giottos Rocket Blaster, which will safely remove loose dust particles from your sensor.

The sensor swabs I use are dry, which means I need to apply the proper cleaning fluid to them before use.  Too much cleaning fluid can damage the electronics inside your camera, so proceed with caution.  I have found that four drops on the 24mm wide swabs my camera requires is sufficient (two drops on one side and two more drops on the opposite side); apply the fluid at the cleaning edge of the swab and hold it cleaning edge up for 10 seconds to allow the fluid to uniformly wick throughout the cleaning edge of the swab.  Again, follow the directions that come with your swabs and cleaning fluid to the letter.

Each camera has a specific procedure for sensor cleaning; if you precisely adhere to the instructions in your camera manual, you should have a successful sensor cleaning result.  If there are still spots on your sensor after cleaning, you can re-clean the sensor provided your camera manual does not advise against doing so (I once ended up with an eyelash on my sensor that required two cleanings to remove; the first try simply moved it closer to the center of the sensor; this happens sometimes).

If you follow the directions in your camera manual and in your swab and cleaning fluid to the letter, you should have no problems cleaning your sensor at home (or at your local museum or library, if need be).

 

DISCLAIMER                                                                                                      

The above description of sensor cleaning is simply a description of how I clean my sensor; it is not intended as training or professional advice in sensor cleaning.  Always follow the directions in your camera manual and in your sensor cleaning materials to the letter.  When in doubt, contact your camera manufacturer for advice on sensor cleaning, or return your camera to the manufacturer's repair department for sensor cleaning.  The author accepts no responsibility for any damage resulting from do it yourself sensor cleaning.  When in doubt, contact your camera manufacturer to return your camera to the manufacturer's repair department for professional sensor cleaning.

 

Edited January 26, 2024 by Herr Barnack

[JoeyDGA]

thank you all for the helpful replies.. I was able to clean the dust using the menu option and a Rocket Blower.

[innovare]

Just a word of caution, the Leica store told me in no uncertain terms that we should never use a rocket to clean the sensor on the M11, unless it has an air filter in the nozzle.  Seems to be the recommendation from the factory...

[Velo-city]

Have had plenty of success with a rocket blower. I get where they’re coming from but even filtered doesn’t really prevent dust because in home environments there’s perhaps dust around (eg in the air, on the blower tip itself, etc) and probably already dust surrounding the sensor in the camera as soon as you open it. That said I would say a blower has always removed more dust than it’s added and on the rare occasion  there’s something more stubborn you can just repeat the process. It means hopefully there’s zero chance of anyone less confident damaging anything even if it doesn’t solve the issue, because it’s non-contact. 
 

I bought one of those Pentax pens that definitely worked well but there was definitely a nervous tension throughout the process and it took a couple of goes in one piece of dust. I’d say the wet clean is probably the least risky although that’s generally recommended as a final step and I’ve never needed to do it. 

The ultrasonic in my Nikon was always pretty good. I never needed to touch it really. Not sure if that has gone out of fashion now for some reason?

Edited December 9, 2024 by Velo-city

[jaapv]

Do be aware that sensor cleaning is not only for dust. Air pollution like exhaust residue (Diesel fumes!) and industrial pollution will deposit an invisible haze on the sensor over time, especially in urban and industrial areas. It should be removed over time by wet cleaning. I do so a couple  of times a year, regardless of dust. Off now as my wife has ordered me to wash the windows …

Be careful with those gel blob pens. Use those marked “for Sony”. And above all: don’t pull , wobble them off. I like using them as they work well, but  IBIS sensors make me nervous. 

 

 

 

 

[SrMi]

On 1/23/2024 at 8:15 PM, JoeyDGA said:

thank you for your reply...so I imagine that that setting opens shutter until the camera is turned off? So the cleaning takes place with the power on? 

Yes, with power on. The shutter is closed with the power off.

[SrMi]

On 1/23/2024 at 6:08 AM, JoeyDGA said:

Would anyone mind sharing a simple step by step of the M11 sensor cleaning procedure relating to menu items  etc. I use a Rocket Blower on my A7R4 as well as the full sensor cleaning swabs. As the M11 is a fixed sensor it should work with that as well.  

I suggest using Arctic Butterfly after blowing does not help and before wet cleaning.

[hdmesa]

17 hours ago, innovare said:

Just a word of caution, the Leica store told me in no uncertain terms that we should never use a rocket to clean the sensor on the M11, unless it has an air filter in the nozzle.  Seems to be the recommendation from the factory...

Eyelead filtered blowers work better than the unfiltered ones, especially when using them in the field. They have a rather strong chemical smell for about a year, though.

[fotografr]

19 hours ago, SrMi said:

I suggest using Arctic Butterfly after blowing does not help and before wet cleaning.

I use canned air (Blow Off) to do about a five second blast on the Arctic Butterfly brush fibers. This creates a negative charge on the brush which helps to pull dust particles from the sensor with a couple of passes. It's very effective. Like Jaap, I do a wet clean a couple of times a year.

Edited December 10, 2024 by fotografr

[SrMi]

4 minutes ago, fotografr said:

I use canned air (Blow Off) to do about a five second blast on the Arctic Butterfly brush fibers. This creates a negative charge on the brush which helps to pull dust particles from the sensor with a couple of passes. It's very effective. Like Jaap, I do a wet clean a couple of times a year.

The battery-powered rotation of the Arctic Butterfly should also do that. Canned air uses propellant liquid, which you do not want on the brush.

[nameBrandon]

11 hours ago, SrMi said:

The battery-powered rotation of the Arctic Butterfly should also do that. Canned air uses propellant liquid, which you do not want on the brush.

Agreed.. this is the major selling point of the arctic butterfly. It works great as is, never had a need to adjust how it operates right out of the box. Great tool, and much better than a rocket blower, IMO.

[marchyman]

14 hours ago, nameBrandon said:

and much better than a rocket blower, IMO.

When a rocket blower does the job you don't need better.

Most of the time a blower is adequate in my experience.  Sometime I have to use a sensor brush because the blower didn't do the job.  And when the brush doesn't do the job I have to reach for the wet cleaning kit.

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[nameBrandon]

18 minutes ago, marchyman said:

When a rocket blower does the job you don't need better.

Most of the time a blower is adequate in my experience.  Sometime I have to use a sensor brush because the blower didn't do the job.  And when the brush doesn't do the job I have to reach for the wet cleaning kit.

Fair point! Though rocket blowers have always struck me as a bit of an odd solution anyways.. I don’t know if they were holdovers from negative cleaning or why they honestly gained popularity to begin with (other than profit margins on what is probably $0.25 worth of rubber and plastic). Rarely in any other scenario in life do we randomly blow dirt/dust around in a contained environment and then call it clean. Typically one is brushing, wiping or using a vacuum. I just have the butterfly, a wet cleaning cleaning kit and a clone brush