Arctic Butterfly vs swabs: your opinion

Sebastian

Sebastian

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Sebastian
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Hi,

I want to invest in sensor cleaning equipment - paying £25 (and now 50 for two bodies) every time it get's dirty is not something I can afford.
So I've decided to do it myself.

I have some experience in cleaning sensors with swabs, they did quite a good job. If I would buy a loupe like this, it should go even easier / better / faster.

There is also Arctic Butterfly.

Which solution would you choose?
Budget: £100

Thanks for your help!


Seb
 
I would love to hear from Arctic Butterfly users: is it any good?
 
nothing is easier. It's not either or though you need the butterfly add the swabs, the butterfly will only deal with loose dust.
 
Works for me, I've used it with success on the D3 and the D70 - it removes the loose dust effectively ... but it won't otherwise 'clean' the sensor. For me it's less risky than swabbing but obviously a swab is going to be necessary if you are talking more than loose dust.
 
I have found it to be very good as I still use my Nikon D50 which loves to attract dust - my other dslrs all have built in sensor cleaning that seems to do nearly as good a job as the butterfly but it is still the tool I use first if dust spots appear on my photos. I have never really done well with swabs and use the Dust-aid sensor cleaner for more stubborn dust.
 
Ok - for a contrary opinion I am not impressed with the Arctic Butterfly.

It worked ok on my 5D but as soon as I used it with a 50D which has the sticky stuff round the sensor the brush got contaminated and spread gunk across the sensor.

I bought the correct cleaning tabs for it and this didn't help.

I would say blower first, Lenspen Sensorklear next and swabs / professional clean as third option.

I also use dust aid with mixed results. I like it because the up and down action is unlikely to damage the surface of the ccd, but I find it variable in it's effectiveness.

Phil
 
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I've had an arctic butterfly for the last few years and it is very simply to use.

However the brush is sized for cropped sensors, so not ideal on my 5D, I'm going to go for swabs this time as the 5D sensor seems to attract a lot more dust and I think the swabs will be a safer bet.
 
I've given up on mine. I seem to end up with smears on the sensor. It may well be my poor technique though I've cleaned the arctic butterfly brush to ensure it is grease free.

I find it easier to just use swabs from the off.

I do find the arctic butterfly sensor loupe to be excellent - expensive but very useful.
 
Have you thought about the lenspen sensorklear?
 
The sensor loupe in your first post is a well worthwhile investment. It's my best cleaning accessory.

I gave up with a butterfly on my 5D after the 3rd attempt. Every time it touched the edge it dragged oil across the sensor. Others have apparently had good results on other cameras.
 
This loupe seems to be very very expensive for what it is, but majority of users are very happy with it.
So I think I will buy it, together with swabs and E2 liquid.
Arctic Butterfly next... (if needed).

Let the bargain hunt commence :)
 
Personally i found the Butterfly to be almost useless way over priced IMO.
In fact at one point it put some grease or oil on my Sensor filter, probably from the walls of the sensor chamber, and scared the life out of me. Luckily it came off but i had to give it a wet clean to make things right.
Like the other poster said, it might have been bad technique but after a few cleans (over the space of 3 or 4 months) i found it no better than the built in cleaning system.
 
Sebastian said:
This loupe seems to be very very expensive for what it is, but majority of users are very happy with it.
So I think I will buy it, together with swabs and E2 liquid.
Click to expand...
That's exactly what I have for the moment. One wipe with the swab and the sensor is clean. The loupe is VERY expensive for what it is but at least you can see what you are doing and know when you've cleaned the sensor without having to resort to picture taking...
 
arad85 said:
That's exactly what I have for the moment. One wipe with the swab and the sensor is clean. The loupe is VERY expensive for what it is but at least you can see what you are doing and know when you've cleaned the sensor without having to resort to picture taking...
Click to expand...

Ive never seen this before but it does look like a great idea. A bit pricey but it seems most things are these days.


Seriously tempted to get on myself.
 
Allows you to see dust/hairs/smudges etc on the sensor and whether you have cleaned them off or not. Very very useful.
 
arad85 said:
Allows you to see dust/hairs/smudges etc on the sensor and whether you have cleaned them off or not. Very very useful.
Click to expand...

Its a shame you cant clean while you use it but yes, very useful and it does save a lot of picture taking.
I notice they have a smaller version but i expect i'd go for the full size one.
 
dave_bass5 said:
Its a shame you cant clean while you use it but yes, very useful and it does save a lot of picture taking.
I notice they have a smaller version but i expect i'd go for the full size one.
Click to expand...
Well, you can sort of use it. It does give older eyes a bit of a help ;)
 
arad85 said:
Well, you can sort of use it. It does give older eyes a bit of a help ;)
Click to expand...

Yeah, im sure there are ways of doing it but i would be a bit weary of leaning over the camera when its face up, with the mirror up, in case hair etc fell in to it.
 
I might stick to the expensive overpriced loupe.
I love my D3 too much :)
 
In the end I went for Visible Dust loupe from Warehouse Express. Will test it over the weekend
 
Dear colleagues,

I would like to let you know that...

Visible Dust Loupe is b****y amazing.
You can see every single spec of dust on your sensor.
Some LEDs in it are under different angle, so you can turn your loupe around for better viewing.
I am absolutely happy with it.
I just had a go with cleaning my D3.
I was using my brand new loupe, Pec Pads, E2 liquid and re-used swabs from my sensor cleaning starter kit.

I have used 5 swabs that I have prepared before cleaning.
I haven't removed ALL dust, but now I have 2-3 specs of dust instead of 40 (I know, I was shocked as I am not using f22 very often)

All in all - I highly recommend this loupe. It's expensive, but it will save me a lot of money on professional cleaning.
 
MisterE said:
The sensor loupe in your first post is a well worthwhile investment. It's my best cleaning accessory.
Click to expand...

Sebastian said:
Dear colleagues,

I would like to let you know that...

Visible Dust Loupe is b****y amazing.
You can see every single spec of dust on your sensor.

I am absolutely happy with it.


All in all - I highly recommend this loupe. It's expensive, but it will save me a lot of money on professional cleaning.
Click to expand...


I won't say I told you so...........oops...already have done
 
Haha, yes you did :)
I'm super happy with it. I've just ordered 100 Pec pads for future cleaning :)
 
I'd always been a bit dubious about sensor loupes, but maybe I should give one a go!
 
Not all sensor loupes are equal! My first one from Arctic didn't show anywhere near as much as my current one (from lenspen makers).

Phil
 
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