Sensor Cleaning (I know, I know!!)

NeilA1975

NeilA1975

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Never really been a problem before, however no matter how hard I try I just cannot get rid of all the crap thats on my D800E sensor.
Yep, tried blowing, dry, then wet, but always manage to leave behind a couple of edge pieces.
Is this normal or am I being super picky?

Im thinking one of those gel sticks...........
 
I'm having a similar problem.
 
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Maybe whatever you are using isn't getting to the edges?

I use a Pec pad wrapped around a slice cut from a credit card and taped in place, then add a drop of Eclipse fluid and clean in one direction. It seems to work for me with my cameras.
 
NeilA1975 said:
Never really been a problem before, however no matter how hard I try I just cannot get rid of all the crap thats on my D800E sensor.
Yep, tried blowing, dry, then wet, but always manage to leave behind a couple of edge pieces.
Is this normal or am I being super picky?

Im thinking one of those gel sticks...........
Click to expand...

I am sure know this but remember it is upside down - i.e. if you are cleaning the top of the sensor the results show on the bottom of the image
 
cymruchris said:
All my F22 shots have black dots everywhere, especially around the edges.
Click to expand...
F/22? Do you ever use f/22? If not, then don't worry about it. I usually check at f/11... once it's gotten bad enough to get me to clean it in the first place...
 
sk66 said:
F/22? Do you ever use f/22? If not, then don't worry about it. I usually check at f/11... once it's gotten bad enough to get me to clean it in the first place...
Click to expand...
Yes - I use F22 - that's why I said it :)

I don't use it every day - but there are times when I do - and it's those times the dust spots annoy me. Usually I'm a wide aperture person - nice depths of field etc. If I want a really long exposure for something though, then the aperture can get down to f22...
 
woof woof said:
Maybe whatever you are using isn't getting to the edges?

I use a Pec pad wrapped around a slice cut from a credit card and taped in place, then add a drop of Eclipse fluid and clean in one direction. It seems to work for me with my cameras.
Click to expand...

Yeah, it does, just doesn't seem to pick it up.......(use visibal dust swabs which generally are excellent, not had a problem before until now)
 
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NeilA1975 said:
Never really been a problem before, however no matter how hard I try I just cannot get rid of all the crap thats on my D800E sensor.
Yep, tried blowing, dry, then wet, but always manage to leave behind a couple of edge pieces.
Is this normal or am I being super picky?

Im thinking one of those gel sticks...........
Click to expand...

If I didn't have a load of other cleaning stuff, I'd try one of those sticky sticks. I've heard that at least one of the manufacturers' service depts uses them. They look good, but given the potential risks, I'd probably get the more expensive original than the cheap clones.

It's very hard to get a sensor 100% clean, and even if you do, it'll start gathering new crap straight away. Avoid very high f/numbers (that also destroy sharpness) and learn to live with it, work around it. Dust is a state of mind ;)
 
HoppyUK said:
If I didn't have a load of other cleaning stuff, I'd try one of those sticky sticks. I've heard that at least one of the manufacturers' service depts uses them. They look good, but given the potential risks, I'd probably get the more expensive original than the cheap clones.

It's very hard to get a sensor 100% clean, and even if you do, it'll start gathering new crap straight away. Avoid very high f/numbers (that also destroy sharpness) and learn to live with it, work around it. Dust is a state of mind ;)
Click to expand...

and it usually is noticeable with plain areas of bg which are easy to eliminate in pp
 
HoppyUK said:
It's very hard to get a sensor 100% clean, and even if you do, it'll start gathering new crap straight away. Avoid very high f/numbers (that also destroy sharpness) and learn to live with it, work around it. Dust is a state of mind ;)
Click to expand...

Agreed - must be my OCD gathering pace as I get older.....:)
 
HoppyUK said:
If I didn't have a load of other cleaning stuff, I'd try one of those sticky sticks. I've heard that at least one of the manufacturers' service depts uses them. They look good, but given the potential risks, I'd probably get the more expensive original than the cheap clones.

It's very hard to get a sensor 100% clean, and even if you do, it'll start gathering new crap straight away. Avoid very high f/numbers (that also destroy sharpness) and learn to live with it, work around it. Dust is a state of mind ;)
Click to expand...

I have some of the clones as well as an original... I can't tell a difference. I do have to say that the "reusability" concerns me a bit... but the only time I've scratched a sensor was with a sensor swab (once in about 2 decades).
 
cymruchris said:
I have one of these - it's good at moving the dust around, and in some cases even applying more dust.
Click to expand...
I use one and it gets squeaky clean. It's a 3 step process:-

1) Use rocket blower to remove as much loose debris as possible

2) Use sensorklear pen to remove/loosen any stubborn dust/pollen

3) Use rocker blower again to remove loosened dust and debris from the pen.
 
I used to use a regular rocket blower to clean off loose dust on my sensor until I bought an illuminated loupe. I then noticed by using the loupe before and after cleaning that there was more dust on the sensor after using the rocket blower - I changed to a dust free hepa blower and now I don't get dust deposited by the blower itself.
 
jbw said:
I used to use a regular rocket blower to clean off loose dust on my sensor until I bought an illuminated loupe. I then noticed by using the loupe before and after cleaning that there was more dust on the sensor after using the rocket blower - I changed to a dust free hepa blower and now I don't get dust deposited by the blower itself.
Click to expand...
I always squeeze the rocket blower a couple of times before using it on the camera to avoid any debris which might have been deposited on the blower. I then always make sure the opening of the camera is towards the floor and blow up into it, this way any dust can fall out. I've never had an issue with any extra dust by doing this. And yes I use a loupe :p
 
having done my camera sensors several times now I try and avoid a rocket blower as much as possible as it can stir up more dust inside the camera body. I prefer to use an Artic butterfly , a loupe and 2 different type of swabs. One swab being spade type and the other a pencil type for edges and corners with sensor fluid if in extreme need.

Little tip
put a small drop of fluid onto a surface and dip the swap into it. That way you only get fluid on the tip not on the whole swab.

This is all you need



Oh the brush shaft is straight it is just the clear sleeve shape distorting it


Sensor looking through a Loupe

 
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realspeed said:
having done my camera sensors several times now I try and avoid a rocket blower as much as possible as it can stir up more dust inside the camera body. I prefer to use an Artic butterfly , a loupe and 2 different type of swabs. One swab being spade type and the other a pencil type for edges and corners with sensor fluid if in extreme need.

Little tip
put a small drop of fluid onto a surface and dip the swap into it. That way you only get fluid on the tip not on the whole swab.

This is all you need

Click to expand...
But isn't this a good thing as you will subsequently make the camera as dust free as possible and therefore prolong the time it takes for dust to build up on the sensor again? If you leave said dust in the camera it could easily find its way onto the sensor very quickly.
 
snerkler said:
But isn't this a good thing as you will subsequently make the camera as dust free as possible and therefore prolong the time it takes for dust to build up on the sensor again? If you leave said dust in the camera it could easily find its way onto the sensor very quickly.
Click to expand...


Personal choice really, from a bad experience I got more dust on a previous camera sensor than I removed with a rocket blower. I used to change camera lenses quite frequently and needless to say got quite a bit of dust inside the camera body at the time. Now having learnt my lesson changing a lens is something a take with caution now to try and avoid the dust problem as much as possible. If someone is happy using a blower (and I still do on rare occassions) then nothing wrong in that . Never got on with those lens pen things either so don't use them.

WE are going on a cruise soon and i will only use one lens my Nikon 24-70mm one as we will be doing towns mainly . Anything else will be done with my camcorder which also takes good stills

Have to tell about the time I took mine through customs and the camera bag was quickly remove for examination, having gone through the xray machine. Bet it gave them one hell of a scare as it must have looked like a granade.
I never even gave it a thought
 
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I've got a wet kit fo Full Frame with 2 buds used out of it.

Reckon someone will want it if I stick it in the classifieds?

It's a good one by all accounts.
 
Been hit and miss for me cleaning a sensor. I would still give it a go again but very wary of damaging something as i have done in the past!
 
Now call me crazy! I use a rocket blower and a hoover! Put the hoover on high, have the nozzle resting on lap, use the blower to stir up the air then stick the hoover nozzle in! Obviously I do this with the Camera facing down as to get the benefits of Gravity too
Repeat the process a couple of times, always work very well for me, First tried it even after making school boy error of changing lens whilst on a beach! :)
 
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