Grave Robber
Suspended / Banned
- Messages
- 363
- Edit My Images
- No
Having tried many 'custom' sensor cleaners such as pens and swabs, I have come to the conclusion that home-made swabs are not only considerably cheaper, but also much more effective. The picture shows everything you need, and is enough for between 50 and 100 cleans - total cost about £15 plus p&p depending on where you buy it. Note the E2 fluid - my Olympus has a tin oxide sensor. It is important to know what type you have, as ordinary Eclipse can damage them.
The swab is made from cardboard taken from a cereal packet, doubled over and taped for strength. The end is cut at a very slight angle to suit my camera - this is a case of trial and error, but usually you can guess - because the sensor chamber is slightly angled. To get the width, find out how wide your sensor is and subtract about 3mm so the cardboard does not go right to the edge. It is important to chamfer the corners of the swab end, so there are no sharp edges that could 'dig into' the sensor filter.
The swab is half a Pecpad, doubled over twice = four layers thick, wrapped over the end of the cardboard and taped on (you could try a rubber band but tape holds it more precisely) then trimmed with a CLEAN craft knife (if you have a large sensor you may need a whole Pecpad.) Don't worry about the odd bit of fibre, because these can be blown off after cleaning. I found none came off anyway. I added a few small drops of fluid and wiped across from end to end, then back. Then I made a new swab (the tape will just pull off if you have taped the cardboard) and used it dry, one more wipe across and back. The fluid should all evaporate anyway as long as you don't overdo it, but a dry wipe makes sure there are no tiny smudges.
This really works well for me, and costs a lot less than swabs off the net which can sell for £3-4 each! Because it's cut to fit, and not as hard as plastic, I think the cardboard works better. Make sure it’s off food packaging as this will be less likely to contain contaminants, or break-up when cut. Also make sure you keep the Pecpads scrupulously clean - store them in a food bag and just take out one at a time.
The swab is made from cardboard taken from a cereal packet, doubled over and taped for strength. The end is cut at a very slight angle to suit my camera - this is a case of trial and error, but usually you can guess - because the sensor chamber is slightly angled. To get the width, find out how wide your sensor is and subtract about 3mm so the cardboard does not go right to the edge. It is important to chamfer the corners of the swab end, so there are no sharp edges that could 'dig into' the sensor filter.
The swab is half a Pecpad, doubled over twice = four layers thick, wrapped over the end of the cardboard and taped on (you could try a rubber band but tape holds it more precisely) then trimmed with a CLEAN craft knife (if you have a large sensor you may need a whole Pecpad.) Don't worry about the odd bit of fibre, because these can be blown off after cleaning. I found none came off anyway. I added a few small drops of fluid and wiped across from end to end, then back. Then I made a new swab (the tape will just pull off if you have taped the cardboard) and used it dry, one more wipe across and back. The fluid should all evaporate anyway as long as you don't overdo it, but a dry wipe makes sure there are no tiny smudges.
This really works well for me, and costs a lot less than swabs off the net which can sell for £3-4 each! Because it's cut to fit, and not as hard as plastic, I think the cardboard works better. Make sure it’s off food packaging as this will be less likely to contain contaminants, or break-up when cut. Also make sure you keep the Pecpads scrupulously clean - store them in a food bag and just take out one at a time.
I did not experience any problems with loose fibres, although I use a very, very sharp knife. It is important not to leave them too wide so they rub on the sides of the sensor chamber, as that will cause fibres to break off. Even then, I think the fibres are so easy to see, they can be blown off when dry (or in my Oly's case shaken off!)