Sensor cleaning cotton buds

[odd jim]

Just a quickie... Can you use the cotton buds that come with lens cleaning kits (in this case a Jessops one) to clean the surface of the sensor as mine seems to have a smear on it for some reason ?

 

[scraggs]

I wouldn't use them, do a search on here for the copperhill method or get some proper cleaning swabs.

 

[bindex]

I don't think it's a good idea. Better with something designed for the job.

 

[walls]

http://www.cleaningdigitalcameras.com/

 

[pete.rush]

There are several makes on the market, I use visibledust products, fluid, swobs and sensor brushes....have a look on warehouseexpress website for sensor cleaning, lots of products, avoid something called "DustAid" (or something like that), cost someone a new sensor.....a sticky pad is definitely not a good idea for removing dust from a sensor.

Peter

 

[MisterE]

There are several makes on the market, I use visibledust products, fluid, swobs and sensor brushes....have a look on warehouseexpress website for sensor cleaning, lots of products, avoid something called "DustAid" (or something like that), cost someone a new sensor.....a sticky pad is definitely not a good idea for removing dust from a sensor.

Peter

Everybody's mileage varies. I've used Dust Aid quite a few times without a problem and it's a remarkably good and quick way to remove dust. But it's not for smears. I think you'll find that more people have damaged a sensor through careless wet cleaning than through using Dust Aid.

Canon have manufactured some sensors with sub-standard filter coatings which have been damaged by conventional swab/liquid cleaning methods. That's why there is Eclipse fluid and E2 fluid. In view of this, Dust Aid have also manufactured lower tack sticky pads specifically for potentially sub-standard Canon sensors. They even go so far as to state that if a Dust Aid pad damages a sensor, then they'll replace it.

As for cotton buds, I do know of a US pro photographer and camera store owner who flatly refused to pay the rip-off prices for swabs, and used cotton buds all the time.

 

[odd jim]

Thanks for the advice all. I'll look at warehouse express... If not, are the off the shelf Jessops ones any good as I need it fairly quickly!?

My theory was (with regards to the lens buds) is that the buds are designed specifically not to scratch, therefore, in theory, they should be ok to use on a sensor?

I'll err on the side of caution though and get the proper stuff, but I was just wondering!

 

[odd jim]

Everybody's mileage varies. I've used Dust Aid quite a few times without a problem and it's a remarkably good and quick way to remove dust. But it's not for smears. I think you'll find that more people have damaged a sensor through careless wet cleaning than through using Dust Aid.

Canon have manufactured some sensors with sub-standard filter coatings which have been damaged by conventional swab/liquid cleaning methods. That's why there is Eclipse fluid and E2 fluid. In view of this, Dust Aid have also manufactured lower tack sticky pads specifically for potentially sub-standard Canon sensors. They even go so far as to state that if a Dust Aid pad damages a sensor, then they'll replace it.

As for cotton buds, I do know of a US pro photographer and camera store owner who flatly refused to pay the rip-off prices for swabs, and used cotton buds all the time.

Hmmm, thats concerning! Anyone on here had any issues with this?

 

[MisterE]

Hmmm, thats concerning! Anyone on here had any issues with this?

It may well be history and resolved by Canon. A number of early 5Ds had failed coatings. Mine was about 7 months in to the production run and turned out to be ok. I can't say anything specific about other models as they weren't of interest to me.