Dust on sensor

[Blackeyeddog]

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I recently picked up my first digital Leica - a M240, and straight away I’ve noticed dust on the sensor. The camera has been sent back twice now to the shop I bought it from to have its sensor cleaned but again when I took a few test shots at f16 there is still dust (and now a small fibre) present. Am I being unrealistic to expect zero dust (especially from a new cleaned camera)? I use film cameras a lot and cloning out the odd dust spots as part of the scanning process has become part of my expected workflow. Should this be the same with digital? I’ve included a picture with the two areas circled

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[Dazzajl]

As you know, you could get a load of dust on the sensor the very first time you swap a lens over but I would still expect a camera to arrive with a clean sensor. 
 

I’d want to clean it myself at this point though, to make sure there isn’t any permanent damage there. 

[Blackeyeddog]

6 minutes ago, Dazzajl said:

As you know, you could get a load of dust on the sensor the very first time you swap a lens over but I would still expect a camera to arrive with a clean sensor. 
 

I’d want to clean it myself at this point though, to make sure there isn’t any permanent damage there. 

Thank you - I’m really undecided what to do next. I don’t feel comfortable cleaning the sensor myself , especially as it might void any warranty. I’m going to have a think over the weekend 

[LocalHero1953]

If you get a clean sensor in a newly bought camera, it will still attract dust in future - it's just one of photographic life's perils. It's best to get used to cleaning the sensor yourself. It's quick and easy to do. If you shoot wide open then quite often you'll never see it. It shows up at smaller apertures: test shots at f/16 or less will show scary amounts.

@jaapv has pinned a post somewhere about how to clean your own sensor. I usually use the rocket blower every time I take my SL2-S out for a photographic session, and did the same when I had the M240 and CL. A regular blow off (quiet at the back) means that I rarely have to use other techniques.

 

[Blackeyeddog]

1 minute ago, LocalHero1953 said:

If you get a clean sensor in a newly bought camera, it will still attract dust in future - it's just one of photographic life's perils. It's best to get used to cleaning the sensor yourself. It's quick and easy to do. If you shoot wide open then quite often you'll never see it. It shows up at smaller apertures: test shots at f/16 or less will show scary amounts.

@jaapv has pinned a post somewhere about how to clean your own sensor. I usually use the rocket blower every time I take my SL2-S out for a photographic session, and did the same when I had the M240 and CL. A regular blow off (quiet at the back) means that I rarely have to use other techniques.

 

Thank you - I’ll have a look at the pinned post

[Dazzajl]

Cleaning the sensor is not the specialist operation or risky affair it’s often perceived as. Essentially, it’s wiping clean a sheet of glass that safely covers the sensor and it would be almost impossible to cause any damage without  attacking the insides of your camera with hammers and screwdrivers. 
 

Take your time, treat it like any lens or pair of glasses and you’ll be fine. 

[LocalHero1953]

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Here it is:

 

 

[Blackeyeddog]

8 minutes ago, LocalHero1953 said:

Here it is:

 

 

Thank you 

[lct]

50 minutes ago, Dazzajl said:

Cleaning the sensor is not the specialist operation or risky affair it’s often perceived as. Essentially, it’s wiping clean a sheet of glass that safely covers the sensor and it would be almost impossible to cause any damage without  attacking the insides of your camera with hammers and screwdrivers. 

You never broke a sensor apparently. I did with a LensPen cleaning pen on a Sony sensor. Not only the glass but the sensor itself did break. I don't touch my sensors with anything since then. YMMV.

[jankap]

+1

I clean the sensor in post.🫠

Dust is harmless. Oil (from the shutter) would be worse.

Edited December 14, 2024 by jankap

[Dazzajl]

26 minutes ago, lct said:

You never broke a sensor apparently. I did with a LensPen cleaning pen on a Sony sensor. Not only the glass but the sensor itself did break. I don't touch my sensors with anything since then. YMMV.

I’ve never spoken to someone who has done this, that’s truly unfortunate. Ouch, sorry to hear about that. That’s not going to change how I clean my cameras but may well give the OP something to think about. 

[Jean-Michel]

To the OP.: there are a few threads on this. Basically, you cannot damage your sensor unless you do something pretty stupid, such as using sandpaper! The 240 has a nice menu to check for dust: Menu, Sensor cleaning, Dust detection. Just aim you camera at an even coloured surface with the lens out of focus and closed to the smallest aperture and you get to see adjust map.

To clean, most of the time a simple bulb blower will do the trick. I use a Arctic Butterly brush and or a swab to clean off stuck spots. The brand I use is Visible Dust, works great. They have a video showing it’s use. 
 

Dust will get o to your sensor, it is unavoidable, just get into an habit to check and clean. Easy to do and not that time consuming. 

[thedirektor]

On 12/14/2024 at 12:26 PM, Blackeyeddog said:

I recently picked up my first digital Leica - a M240, and straight away I’ve noticed dust on the sensor. The camera has been sent back twice now to the shop I bought it from to have its sensor cleaned but again when I took a few test shots at f16 there is still dust (and now a small fibre) present. Am I being unrealistic to expect zero dust (especially from a new cleaned camera)? I use film cameras a lot and cloning out the odd dust spots as part of the scanning process has become part of my expected workflow. Should this be the same with digital? I’ve included a picture with the two areas circled

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Good evening Mr Dog. I had dust on my sensor (M262 10 years old) but was too nervous to attempt cleaning myself. I made an appointment at the Leica Store London and they did it for free in 2 hours. They told me they do up to 2 free cleans a year. Happy cleaning ! Regards IB

Edited December 15, 2024 by thedirektor

[Blackeyeddog]

On 12/15/2024 at 2:16 PM, Jean-Michel said:

To the OP.: there are a few threads on this. Basically, you cannot damage your sensor unless you do something pretty stupid, such as using sandpaper! The 240 has a nice menu to check for dust: Menu, Sensor cleaning, Dust detection. Just aim you camera at an even coloured surface with the lens out of focus and closed to the smallest aperture and you get to see adjust map.

To clean, most of the time a simple bulb blower will do the trick. I use a Arctic Butterly brush and or a swab to clean off stuck spots. The brand I use is Visible Dust, works great. They have a video showing it’s use. 
 

Dust will get o to your sensor, it is unavoidable, just get into an habit to check and clean. Easy to do and not that time consuming. 

That’s really useful, thank you 

[Blackeyeddog]

19 hours ago, thedirektor said:

Good evening Mr Dog. I had dust on my sensor (M262 10 years old) but was too nervous to attempt cleaning myself. I made an appointment at the Leica Store London and they did it for free in 2 hours. They told me they do up to 2 free cleans a year. Happy cleaning ! Regards IB

 

19 hours ago, thedirektor said:

Good evening Mr Dog. I had dust on my sensor (M262 10 years old) but was too nervous to attempt cleaning myself. I made an appointment at the Leica Store London and they did it for free in 2 hours. They told me they do up to 2 free cleans a year. Happy cleaning ! Regards IB

To be fair, the shop I bought it from have arranged collection and return twice now free of charge and have arranged to pick it up again for one last go. The technician apparently has said that the dust might be getting dislodged in transit which could be the case. I don’t have anywhere local to me that I can take it to. I’d be more than happy to give it a go myself once it’s out of warranty 

[steve edmunds]

Ten years with olympus cameras doing wildlife photography in all weathers and never ever had dust on sensor. 

Seven or maybe eight years with M262 doing scenic  and family stuff and dust on sensor most times i change lenses.

beautiful camera the M262 but mostly a fixed lens [ zeiss 35mm f1.4] camera for me , i know how to clean the sensor but hate doing it 

Maybe later M cameras have cured this? hope so 

[roydonian]

My current technique for dealing with dust is that if I have changed the lens during the day, I use a sensor loupe to check the sensor that night or on the following morning. Often there will be at least one bit of dust, but my bulb blower will usually get rid of it. If it doesn't, its time to use the Arctic Butterfly brush. Only once have I had to use a swab. When my M8.2 was new, I found spots of oil on the sensor, so had it professionally cleaned.

[pedaes]

3 minutes ago, roydonian said:

its time to use the Arctic Butterfly brush

Agree. I find the Arctic Butterfly Brush can cope with the vast majority of issues, and is a someone underrated bit of kit that rarely features in the 'How do I clean....' threads.

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[Anthony MD]

There is dust on my MD262’s sensor.

I don’t think it’s worth to keep cleaning it resulting in real damage.  I’ve learned to live with it…!

[Vanillasludge]

I have found that a squeeze bulb puffer does the trick but it definitely takes 30 or more puffs. Unless there is oil on the sensor pretty much any dust should blow off given enough blasts, and there is no chance of damaging the sensor as long as you don’t jam the puffer into it.  The trick is to keep at it.