Why... do I have such a fear of cleaning the sensor...

[maidenfan84]

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I used to be this way about my sensors and always sent them out to the store to get them cleaned. One time I got my sensor cleaned, or so I thought, and when I got out on a travel with the camera and started taking pictures...it still had dust spots on it. I got fed up with paying out that kind of money and decided to just order the kit myself to do it. Logically, the only way you're going to scratch the sensor glass covering (the sensor itself is never actually exposed) is if you have something hard in there like a stone, etc. Cotton and soft materials will always be softer than glass and won't scratch it itself even if pushing harder than you actually should be. Worked up the courage to do the cleaning...and 15 seconds later, the sensor was clean as a whistle. Much more money in my pocket and 15 seconds of my time as compared to leaving my camera at a shop, having to spend the time to drive up there and back, etc. Plus you get the satisfaction of knowing it was done properly. If you really feel the need to get over the fear, buy a cheap full frame parts camera off of eBay for next to nothing and practice giving it a few swipes. You'll see it's nothing to fear at all and you'll just wish that you did it yourself sooner. If you're going to use a gel stick before hand, use a Pentax gel stick. This is what Pentax themselves use during servicing and many Leica services also use it. You dont' need to worry about the Pentax stick leaving nasty residue like a cheap knockoff from other brands. 

[le7]

Hi,

fot the German speaking guys here: this is a very useful video from Leica Store Nürnberg regarding sensor cleaning:

since then i am very carefully regarding sensor cleaning….

main takeaway: dust is not equal dust:

a) plain vanilla dust

b) a very small grain of sand

c) others

in case you use swabs in case of b) it could result in major issues….

by the way: from time to time i use swabs for the M 240, for the realitevely new M11 not 🙂

Edited March 14, 2024 by le7

[Harpomatic]

I have been using this for years and I can’t remember the last time I had to use a wet swab. It’s extremely effective and sfae and it takes less than 10 seconds. 

 

It’s a static charged soft brush that will attract dust particles when brushing the sensor.

To create the charge it spins quickly, you stop the spinning and use it with its very useful led light, then spin it again to shake any dust off after brushing. 

I always use it after the rocket blower.
 

Honestly I never travel without it. It’s a revelation.

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[algrove]

On 2/13/2024 at 7:49 AM, schimmey said:

Good afternoon all,

Just thought I would put it out there. I have a very, very, deep fear of going anywhere near the sensor with any type of sensor cleaning brush/liquid. I am petrified that I will irreparably damage it. I wasn't overly convinced by a previous visit (a long time ago) to Leica where they used a Pentax stick with a bit of rubber.

Any advice greatly received.

Thanks.

Paul

To answer your question, since you have never done it. Heed the advice above and just do it.

I have done my M's for years after a guy at a Toulouse camera store offered to do mine on my M9. I watched and decided I could do that too. 

These days I often find that just blowing off the sensor is adequate.

[mekener]

    My m11 collects dust, especially in summer(I live in Izmir on the west coast of Turkey, summers are hot and dry, dust is inevitable). The first time I spotted dust on the sensor I tried the sticky gel thing and it made it worse. Blowers just introduce more dust to the sensor. I ended up getting a good quality sensor swab. I was pretty scared the first time I used it but you can literally see the liquid dry in a second leaving nothing behind. I always use two swabs, use them both one time to the left and one time to the right. I have done this cleaning at least 5 times in the past 18 months, never had any problems. The only thing I watch out for is when I put the liquid on the swab. I hold the swab against light so I don't oversaturate the swab tip with the liquid. You can see clearly when the tip of the swab g ets wet. I sweep the swabs edge with the liquid bottle's tip a few times, I don't squeeze the bottle. It takes 2 minutes and it has become regular maintenance for me like cleaning the exterior of the camera and lenses. I do it every time I go on a trip and I always take the small liquid bottle and 4 swabs with me anywhere I travel just in case. 

    I also noticed that my camera collected much more dust when it was new. I remember it was just 2 months after I got the m11 and the photos were full of spots, at least 20 of them. Now that I have been using it for a year and a half I get one or two spots every 2-3 months. My point is that we pay a premium for the highest quality of components when we buy a Leica and you can feel it just by holding the camera in your hands. I am pretty sure the attention to quality goes all the way to the components including the sensor cover glass. These tools are made to last and designed to be as tough as possible. I carry my iphone in my back pocket all the time, drop it in all kind of environments, even dip it in sea water to take underwater photos. I never had a scratch on a lens glass. I am pretty sure Leica engineers are able to do just as good as Apple engineers when designing and sourcing these instruments that we love and invest in so much. I have a 1961 m3 that still works perfectly. I took it to an old Leica technician for cla last year, he told me 'this is the last time I'll see this camera in my lifetime when I was picking it up. Cameras take photos, Leica's last. Your Leica is much tougher than you think...

[KevinCam2027]

Yup, same hear, not just cleaning the camera myself but also doing anything on my camera lenses or sensor that may damage it. This was bugging it me for a while, what I did was I tried practicing on a broken camera first and then a cheap working camera until I did it myself on my CANON camera which I use for photo edits and photo marketing. It cut my cost in haft paying for camera maintenance before cus now I can do it myself. What I use to clean my camera is the Sensor Swabs from Photographic Solutions. I found their tutorial videos the easiest way on DIY camera cleaning and the product is effective and very safe to the camera. If you want to try doing it yourself I think Sensor Swabs is a product that I can recommend.

[jaapv]

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On 3/21/2024 at 10:14 PM, mekener said:

    My m11 collects dust, especially in summer(I live in Izmir on the west coast of Turkey, summers are hot and dry, dust is inevitable). The first time I spotted dust on the sensor I tried the sticky gel thing and it made it worse. Blowers just introduce more dust to the sensor. I ended up getting a good quality sensor swab. I was pretty scared the first time I used it but you can literally see the liquid dry in a second leaving nothing behind. I always use two swabs, use them both one time to the left and one time to the right. I have done this cleaning at least 5 times in the past 18 months, never had any problems. The only thing I watch out for is when I put the liquid on the swab. I hold the swab against light so I don't oversaturate the swab tip with the liquid. You can see clearly when the tip of the swab g ets wet. I sweep the swabs edge with the liquid bottle's tip a few times, I don't squeeze the bottle. It takes 2 minutes and it has become regular maintenance for me like cleaning the exterior of the camera and lenses. I do it every time I go on a trip and I always take the small liquid bottle and 4 swabs with me anywhere I travel just in case. 

    I also noticed that my camera collected much more dust when it was new. I remember it was just 2 months after I got the m11 and the photos were full of spots, at least 20 of them. Now that I have been using it for a year and a half I get one or two spots every 2-3 months. My point is that we pay a premium for the highest quality of components when we buy a Leica and you can feel it just by holding the camera in your hands. I am pretty sure the attention to quality goes all the way to the components including the sensor cover glass. These tools are made to last and designed to be as tough as possible. I carry my iphone in my back pocket all the time, drop it in all kind of environments, even dip it in sea water to take underwater photos. I never had a scratch on a lens glass. I am pretty sure Leica engineers are able to do just as good as Apple engineers when designing and sourcing these instruments that we love and invest in so much. I have a 1961 m3 that still works perfectly. I took it to an old Leica technician for cla last year, he told me 'this is the last time I'll see this camera in my lifetime when I was picking it up. Cameras take photos, Leica's last. Your Leica is much tougher than you think...

Well, an iPhone is IP68, an M11 is not even IP rated...

[kiwidad]

On 8/8/2024 at 8:18 AM, KevinCam2027 said:

Yup, same hear, not just cleaning the camera myself but also doing anything on my camera lenses or sensor that may damage it. This was bugging it me for a while, what I did was I tried practicing on a broken camera first and then a cheap working camera until I did it myself on my CANON camera which I use for photo edits and photo marketing. It cut my cost in haft paying for camera maintenance before cus now I can do it myself. What I use to clean my camera is the Sensor Swabs from Photographic Solutions. I found their tutorial videos the easiest way on DIY camera cleaning and the product is effective and very safe to the camera. If you want to try doing it yourself I think Sensor Swabs is a product that I can recommend.

I would second The Photographic Solutions products. However, I had a lot of issues with streaking with the aeroclipse fluid and switched to the original eclipse and never had a streaking issue again. The blower from Photographic solutions also work very well and filters their it pulls in and blows. 90% of the time it does the job and if their remain spots I use the wet clean.

[jaapv]

On 8/8/2024 at 3:18 PM, KevinCam2027 said:

Yup, same hear, not just cleaning the camera myself but also doing anything on my camera lenses or sensor that may damage it. This was bugging it me for a while, what I did was I tried practicing on a broken camera first and then a cheap working camera until I did it myself on my CANON camera which I use for photo edits and photo marketing. It cut my cost in haft paying for camera maintenance before cus now I can do it myself. What I use to clean my camera is the Sensor Swabs from Photographic Solutions. I found their tutorial videos the easiest way on DIY camera cleaning and the product is effective and very safe to the camera. If you want to try doing it yourself I think Sensor Swabs is a product that I can recommend.

That is classic Systematic Desensitization Treatment.  Well done!

[Eclectic Man]

I used to have lots of trouble with dust on my SL2 sensor, and after some advice from this site, I use a filtered blower and hold the camera facing down whenever I Clea it.  I am also very careful when changing lenses - I place the camera and lens facing down, unlock the lens and place the body cap on the body and the rear lens cap on the lens.  Then I get the new lens ready by placing it face down, loosen the rear cap and, always holding the camera facing down, remove the body cap and attach the lens.

Residents near London UK, or presumably any other Leica store, should be aware that, at leat recently, you could get a free sensor clear once a year if you bought the camera new.

@jaapv - How can I tell f the sensor needs a clean from general air quality, rather than dust specs?

[jaapv]

You can’t as it will pick up muck suspended in the air slowly over time, just like the inside of your windscreen, your glasses or the windows of your home. But you will notice a more clear image if you just give it a wet clean once in a while depending on the amount of air pollution in the area, whether you have a busy road near ( Diesel fumes! ) etc.  

[geraldseligman]

The sensor cleaning swabs come in different sizes. Which is optimal for the M11? 

[M11 for me]

The swabs have to match the sensor. So buy swabs that are for full frame: 24mm 

[M11 for me]

vor 1 Stunde schrieb geraldseligman:

The sensor cleaning swabs come in different sizes. Which is optimal for the M11? 

And . . . 

Buy a brand and not just a no name. Over time you get experienced and see no problem anymore.

But still do not clean your sensor every few days 😅.  Some spots of dirt can easyly be fixed in Lightroom or any other tool.