Sensor cleaning

A

Aledafis

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Name
Aled
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I'm suffering a "blob" on all my images at the moment, and can only think that it's dust on my sensor, so what's the best way to remove it? The blob seems quite large, so I'm guessing that it needs a decent wet clean.

Here's a smaple image, the "blob" is to the left of the sun, and is always in exactly the same place in all my images.

DSC_1146.jpg by aledafis, on Flickr

Thanks in advance
Aled
 
Or rather than blow it into the camera body get an Arctic Butterfly and remove it.
 
Works fine for me at removing loose dust - it won't remove grease/smears etc, which would need a wet clean or possibly one of those silicone dab pens.
 
Great, thanks, was looking at a possible replacement for my rocket.
 
You need a Lenspen SKLK-1 SensorKlear Loupe Kit.

If you can't see or tell what type of 'blob' you have (sticky, dry, pollen or other), which is why you need a loupe to inspect the sensor, otherwise 'blowing' is pointless because you'll be blowing what to where? Exactly! No blowing, or contamination could end up on the underside of shutter flap or on the viewfinder. If on the underside of the flap, guess where it will end up after the first frame . . back on the sensor.

This kit is brilliant and works a charm and you can see your sensor in all it's glory. Takes about 2 minutes to do.

Before you start, use a 50mm (if you have one, or if not, a wide zoom set to 50mm) at f/22-f/32 with flash and take a pic of a flat white surface. This will highlight any contamination crystal clear. Clean with the Sensorpen, turn off camera re-fit 50mm lens and repeat to confirm no blobs on images.

Job done.

Simples!

_eKC7d2drtdfl2VtrDlZLzjwX93Kd97pcmrbRKJltM0IdRZZCn_KOrjgZenLXgUD_nrIJK7k7yJqeTgPqQXg6lKp4LiKeJDk8pP35QZUBOkaKp3s2VOL8UoAdMa_UzSRKlM4-uDRb4w1mozn4Wbb6AF8EUjQS1N8VwtWS-XhRKDrXvbKcNU-wRWTxduYeoGd


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Li4eS_5kXxA
 
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Pirate! said:
You need a Lenspen SKLK-1 SensorKlear Loupe Kit.

If you can't see or tell what type of 'blob' you have (sticky, dry, pollen or other), which is why you need a loupe to inspect the sensor, otherwise 'blowing' is pointless because you'll be blowing what to where? Exactly! No blowing, or contamination could end up on the underside of shutter flap or on the viewfinder. If on the underside of the flap, guess where it will end up after the first frame . . back on the sensor.

This kit is brilliant and works a charm and you can see your sensor in all it's glory. Takes about 2 minutes to do.

Before you start, use a 50mm (if you have one, or if not, a wide zoom set to 50mm) at f/22-f/32 with flash and take a pic of a flat white surface. This will highlight any contamination crystal clear. Clean with the Sensorpen, turn off camera re-fit 50mm lens and repeat to confirm no blobs on images.

Job done.

Simples!

_eKC7d2drtdfl2VtrDlZLzjwX93Kd97pcmrbRKJltM0IdRZZCn_KOrjgZenLXgUD_nrIJK7k7yJqeTgPqQXg6lKp4LiKeJDk8pP35QZUBOkaKp3s2VOL8UoAdMa_UzSRKlM4-uDRb4w1mozn4Wbb6AF8EUjQS1N8VwtWS-XhRKDrXvbKcNU-wRWTxduYeoGd


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Li4eS_5kXxA
Click to expand...

Mark, is the sensor pen same as lens pen, would you use it instead?
 
Fazi27 said:
Mark, is the sensor pen same as lens pen, would you use it instead?
Click to expand...
Lenspen is trading name. They make 2 pens. SensorKlear and Lenspen. The SensorKlear has a felt tip (for sensor cleaning), and the Lenspen is for lenses (with brush etc), so no, don't use the Lenspen for the sensor.

The Lenspen is part#: LP-1 http://www.lenspen.com/?products_id=LP-1&tpid=146

URL is for reference only.
 
thanks for clearing that up. i have same problem as Aled and just wonder which technique to use. I think i will give a wet clean a shot first....
 
markmullen said:
I got my visible dust bits today, now have a pair of minty fresh sensors, once I used the right fluid it was actually pretty easy, daunting initially but soon done and £100 saved by having my local shop do them.
Click to expand...
If wet cleaning, a good idea is to still get the loupe kit to inspect the sensor and tidy up with the sensorpen else should you stop-down, you migh find residual streaks left on the sensor that had otherwise gone un-noticed. I got my loupe and sensorpen as separates from UK Optics.

I generally use a dry clean unless there is clear moisture contamination (say if you're on holiday in Florida where it's very humid), which is when I use the wet method with swabs and E2 fluid, inspect with the loupe, then tidy around the edge of the sensor as even as clinically sealed swab can leave residual fibres and also remove any smears or streaks from the wet clean, then you should be good to go, though do check by testing with a 50mm prime at f/22 or f/32 against a clean white surface with flash if required or a clear patch of blue sky. Anything left on the sensor will stand out quite sharply (hence stopping-down) and use the sensorpen again to remove, and repeat until sensor is crystal clear again.

Sticky blobs can take a little longer to remove, so both wet and dry cleaning may be required for that type of contamination or use the sensorpen by wiping the blob from different directions (worked for me one time).

Personally, I never use a blower (especially with the mirror flap open). You just don't know where the dust etc is going, so if you have a kind of anti-static brush that you can use inside the chamber first before opening the mirror flap to expose the sensor, this would be a better method than using a blower, as not all blowers have micro filters in them.
 
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I've bumped this thread as I'm sure new users and members may have similar issues and are looking for solutions.

I appreciate this is over a year old, but the problem affects just about everyone, so hopefully it will be seen by newbie TP members who just might bookmark the thread as a reference. I have a more comprehensive written 'how to' posted here :exit:
 
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I'm looking to clean my sensor on my D300 and it appears that the Eclipse fluid I have (which I used to clean my D200 with) is not good for sensors with Tin Oxide... and its recommended to use Eclipse E2... Only problem is that I can't find anywhere that sells it. Or perhaps the name has changed since then ? I know my D300 is getting a bit old :)
 
This may also help.

http://www.cameraclean.co.uk/Pdfs/Pro_Kit_Instructions.pdf

Read the taxt on the left about the Silicone Jumbo Blower, specifically the itallic text as it reinforces what I've been saying about the use of blowers on a sensor (irrespective of whether it's in the manual).

If you get stuck, get back to me.
 
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Pirate! said:
Email them first. I have E2 fluid and swabs bought from them. No harm in asking.
Click to expand...

Just in case anyone is in the same boat as me I emailed them and this is the reply

digipad said:
E2 has been discontinued and replaced by a new reformulated eclipse that is safe for use on all sensors. The eclipse we have on our website is this new eclipse.
Click to expand...

:thumbs:
 
Nice one. Good people as well. You should be good to go now, though FWIW, I have both wet and dry so you can inspect the sensor irrespective of cleaning method and if needs be, tidy up with the pen. Sorted!

And a little word from the wise . . . . don't use a blower on your sensor as you'll probably makes things 1000 times worse.
 
photostream


And that is after two dry cleans....... I might have to get over my fear and go down the wet clean route.
 
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