Sensor cleaning and lollipops - merged thread.

[LocalHero1953]

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I’ve had two bad experiences cleaning sensors. The first was using a gel stick which left sticky marks on the sensor (not quite like yours but messy) - Leica Mayfair cleaned it off. The second was when I used Sean’s and a water based cleaner, which just moved grassy marks around the sensor. Since I switched to rocket blower, Arctic butterfly, and IPA swabs ( in order of priority), I’ve had no problems. 

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[ronaldc]

*UPDATE

so earlier this morning the VSGO swab kit arrived, after using 12 swabs it still did not come off. First photo.

I made some calls and drove 2.5hours to a camera store that have Eclipse cleaner. Had another go and after 3 swabs it cleaned right up. I learnt the lesson to never ever use a gel stick ever again.

 

 

 

 

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Edited March 7 by ronaldc

[ronaldc]

Cleaned after Eclipse 

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[david strachan]

Yep,  gel sticks left obstinate marks on my sensor too. I've  read a lot of criticisms of the gel sticks...previously thought they'd be safe after recommendation from a senior person on this forum...badly misled.

Edited March 7 by david strachan

[erl]

Gel is for your hair (I believe). It sticks to whatever it touches. 

[ronaldc]

28 minutes ago, david strachan said:

Yep,  gel sticks left obstinate marks on my sensor too. I've  read a lot of criticisms of the gel sticks...previously thought they'd be safe after recommendation from a senior person on this forum...badly misled.

agreed, i was recommended one by someone, and also the Leica guy from Leica Australia said to use one in their cleaning videos, good god never again. wet clean if a static brush doesnt remove it. STAY AWAY FROM GEL STICK any one reading this. Wet cleaning is very easy, I had some anxiety doing it thats why I went the Gel Stick route, but after doing the wet clean 15 times, there is no worry anymore. easy

[pedaes]

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20 minutes ago, ronaldc said:

STAY AWAY FROM GEL STICK

ironically what they use in the factory for final clean. FWIW.

Edited March 7 by pedaes

[erl]

23 minutes ago, pedaes said:

ironically what they use in the factory for final clean. FWIW.

Maybe that is why so many new cameras arrive with dirty sensors. A few historic threads, I recall, discussed this ad nauseum.

[maidenfan84]

There’s no coating to remove. You’re actually cleaning glass that’s laid over the sensor itself. Short of using a knife or loose gravel, you’d have to really be aiming to do something wrong to it. And keep in mind that there is dust ALWAYS. One of the biggest things that people cleaning sensors is aiming for 100% cleanliness. Unless you’re in a clean room, it’s impossible. There will always be dust to some extent. What’s important is getting the big ones that would somehow show. Don’t spend time chasing the impossible. As others have said, the Pentax gel stick is awesome for getting some quick dust off if an air blower didn’t work the first time around. After the air blower and the gel stick is the wet method. A fresh new swab with a drop or two of the included fluid, gentle drag from one side of the sensor to the other, then a gentle drag back the way you came. Fresh and clean! 
 

strange about the issues with the Pentax gel stick. Unless things have changed, That’s what Leica themselves use when you send your camera in for cleanings. 

Edited March 8 by maidenfan84

[ronaldc]

4 hours ago, maidenfan84 said:

There’s no coating to remove. You’re actually cleaning glass that’s laid over the sensor itself. Short of using a knife or loose gravel, you’d have to really be aiming to do something wrong to it. And keep in mind that there is dust ALWAYS. One of the biggest things that people cleaning sensors is aiming for 100% cleanliness. Unless you’re in a clean room, it’s impossible. There will always be dust to some extent. What’s important is getting the big ones that would somehow show. Don’t spend time chasing the impossible. As others have said, the Pentax gel stick is awesome for getting some quick dust off if an air blower didn’t work the first time around. After the air blower and the gel stick is the wet method. A fresh new swab with a drop or two of the included fluid, gentle drag from one side of the sensor to the other, then a gentle drag back the way you came. Fresh and clean! 
 

strange about the issues with the Pentax gel stick. Unless things have changed, That’s what Leica themselves use when you send your camera in for cleanings. 

I understand what you’re saying, but even in this thread alone the people who had issues with the gel stick far out weights who said it’s good. I would say Leica have developed their own gel tool not available to public, only thing I can think off, but also I would say Leica wet clean the sensor on services, they wouldn’t just clean whole sensor with a gel stick, unless someone who works at Leica can chime in here to refute otherwise.

[LocalHero1953]

For full info, I used gel sticks for some time before I had the problem with residual sticky marks - I think I was into my second or third batch. But I had so much trouble getting rid of those marks that I decided to stop using them.

[jaapv]

I did not stop using them. The Eyelead ( for Sony-blue) gel stick works just fine if used properly. I have not seen one negative on it over all these years. Just don’t force it off during stamping and take care with IBIS sensors. And don’t attempt to remove oil spots.

A system I can recommend as well is GreenClean

[LocalHero1953]

5 minutes ago, jaapv said:

The Eyelead ( for Sony-blue) gel stick works just fine if used properly. I have not seen one negative on it over all these years.

You have now. That was the one I used. And no, I wasn't forcing it, nor with an IBIS sensor, nor removing oil spots. All you can say is that it has worked fine for you in your experience. That doesn't negate the experience of others.

Edited March 8 by LocalHero1953

[jaapv]

In that case I can only say you are the first whom I know of. May I suggest that the smearing came from oily spots on the sensor? That has been known to happen without people noticing. The smear will be on subsequent sensors as well. I fail to see how the material of the stick itself can smear, being a pure silicone gel. 
The factory recommendation is to clean the blob with Isopropyl Alcohol or a grease-dissolving sensor cleaning fluid in that case 

[TeleElmar135mm]

... for me the sticks were o.k. no problems. Even Leica use them to clean the sensor.

But be aware, don't use this one  

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[pedaes]

1 hour ago, jaapv said:

And don’t attempt to remove oil spots.

 

In my experience you can have oil spots on first and second clean, but not so much after that. Presumably build lubrication. Gel sticks are not designed for oil, and could maybe become contaminated by it. 

[jaapv]

Leica used to distribute little red tins with Gummibärchen

[jaapv]

46 minutes ago, pedaes said:

In my experience you can have oil spots on first and second clean, but not so much after that. Presumably build lubrication. Gel sticks are not designed for oil, and could maybe become contaminated by it. 

I have the impression that newer generation cameras have less of this problem. 

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[TeleElmar135mm]

vor 11 Minuten schrieb jaapv:

I have the impression that newer generation cameras have less of this problem. 

... perhaps it has to do with electronic shutter. Many used this feature and not so often the mechanical shutter. (Or they found a better grease ... )

[pedaes]

12 minutes ago, jaapv said:

I have the impression that newer generation cameras have less of this problem. 

I have thought that too.