The Amazing Sony A1/A7/A9/APS-C & Anything else welcome Mega Thread!

snerkler said:
I'd be surprised if dust on the lens shows a dust bunny like that, unless it's on the rear element. How did you test, and what aperture were you at?
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Ok, looks like I do have to buy a sensor cleaning kit. Firstly, I took a couple of shots of the sky and didn't see the spot. Just now I've done the proper test. Put it to the smallest f/stop on my 16mm and 56mm lenses which is f16. Set it to manual and infinity and pointed at a white wall, took the shots and moved the camera in a circular motion during the shots. In Lightroom, I went to visualise spots. With my 16mm lens attached and looking through the EVF, I noticed a circular blob, pretty much a perfect circle, situated in the top third and dead centre of my camera's rule of thirds grid. This shows up in the first screenshot. I then wiped the rear element and it's gone as can be seen in the second screenshot. The rest of the dust spots are the same for both lenses. They look more like water stains on the sensor than dust, don't you think? Would you say any of them line up with the spot on my tower bridge photos? You can click to enlarge the thumbs.

16mm with circle



16mm circle gone



56mm

 
Question for nandbytes. I was searching amazon for sensor cleaners, in particular VSGO, but came across this UES APS-C kit which is good value.

UES APSC-16 DSLR or SLR Digital Camera Sensor Cleaning Swabs for APS-C Type Sensors: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo

Free delivery and returns on eligible orders. Buy UES APSC-16 DSLR or SLR Digital Camera Sensor Cleaning Swabs for APS-C Type Sensors at Amazon UK.
www.amazon.co.uk

Then I searched the forums to see what people here have bought and came across a post where you'd bought a UES full frame sensor kit a couple of months ago, also with 14 swabs and 15ml fluid. Was just wondering what you thought of it, if you think it's good enough quality to buy?
 
Merlin5 said:
Question for nandbytes. I was searching amazon for sensor cleaners, in particular VSGO, but came across this UES APS-C kit which is good value.

UES APSC-16 DSLR or SLR Digital Camera Sensor Cleaning Swabs for APS-C Type Sensors: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo

Free delivery and returns on eligible orders. Buy UES APSC-16 DSLR or SLR Digital Camera Sensor Cleaning Swabs for APS-C Type Sensors at Amazon UK.
www.amazon.co.uk

Then I searched the forums to see what people here have bought and came across a post where you'd bought a UES full frame sensor kit a couple of months ago, also with 14 swabs and 15ml fluid. Was just wondering what you thought of it, if you think it's good enough quality to buy?
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yep works just fine :)
 
nandbytes said:
yep works just fine :)
Click to expand...

Excellent! Also, when I do it, should I put enough pressure just so the swap flexes/bends a bit or no pressure at all? And should I hold the camera facing down while doing it to stop more dust falling on it, or face up?
 
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Merlin5 said:
Excellent! Also, when I do it, should I put enough pressure just so the swap flexes/bends a bit or no pressure at all?
Click to expand...
no pressure what so ever.
a light single swipe in one direction at 45 degrees angle and then another wipe in the opposite direction.
Toss the swab, if your sensor is still not fully clean use another swab.
Not worth trying cheap out with sensor cleaning since any mistake will cost you more than £15 your swabs cost you.
 
nandbytes said:
no pressure what so ever.
a light single swipe in one direction at 45 degrees angle and then another wipe in the opposite direction.
Toss the swab, if your sensor is still not fully clean use another swab.
Not worth trying cheap out with sensor cleaning since any mistake will cost you more than £15 your swabs cost you.
Click to expand...
Ah, so very lightly and no flexing. When wiping in the other direction for the second pass, presumably turn the swap to the unused side? Is it necessary to hold the camera above me and face down while swabbing to stop more dust falling onto the sensor or is that overkill?
 
Merlin5 said:
Ah, so very lightly and no flexing. When wiping in the other direction for the second pass, presumably turn the swap to the unused side? Is it necessary to hold the camera above me and face down while swabbing to stop more dust falling onto the sensor or is that overkill?
Click to expand...

yes your second pass should be from unused side.
I don't hold it face down simply because its harder for me to clean upside down. even if the odd dust spec lands after cleaning I can generally blow it off with a rocket blower.
Once again a dust particle is better than a scratched sensor.
 
nandbytes said:
yes your second pass should be from unused side.
I don't hold it face down simply because its harder for me to clean upside down. even if the odd dust spec lands after cleaning I can generally blow it off with a rocket blower.
Once again a dust particle is better than a scratched sensor.
Click to expand...
nandbytes said:
in my experience half the dust that ends up on the sensor is actually from the rear element of the lenses.
I have made it a habit to blow dust off the rear element of lenses whenever possible and that's really helped with reducing the dust on my sensor.
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Great, thanks for the advice. I change between the 16 and 56mm quite a lot while out and about so it's not surprising I've picked up dirt on the sensor. I generally hold the camera face down while removing a lens and putting a different one on and rocket blowing, and sometimes I rocket blow the rear element before mounting it, but will make a habit of trying to do it every time. It's odd that my dust bunnies look more like rings so I'm thinking maybe some water droplets dried on the sensor.
 
Merlin5 said:
Great, thanks for the advice. I change between the 16 and 56mm quite a lot while out and about so it's not surprising I've picked up dirt on the sensor. I generally hold the camera face down while removing a lens and putting a different one on and rocket blowing, and sometimes I rocket blow the rear element before mounting it, but will make a habit of trying to do it every time. It's odd that my dust bunnies look more like rings so I'm thinking maybe some water droplets dried on the sensor.
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You could try some decent double sided tape inside the rear lens caps.
 
LeeRatters said:
You could try some decent double sided tape inside the rear lens caps.
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That's a good idea. But anyway, I'm pretty sure my sensor has dried water rings and not dust bunnies.
 
Merlin5 said:
Yep, seen that one before. Brilliant. :D
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There is also a guide on here.
www.talkphotography.co.uk

Cobra School of SENSOR Cleaning.....

While we were up visiting Donna Nook, Cobra managed to get some sand on the sensor of his 40D (we did advise not to change the lens on the beach), anyway, we didn't have a rocket blower or anything to clean it so myself an mrgubby suggested that he use the kitchen sink and run it under the water...
www.talkphotography.co.uk www.talkphotography.co.uk

Featuring our very own @Cobra so it must be trustworthy.
 
Barrysprout said:
There is also a guide on here.
www.talkphotography.co.uk

Cobra School of SENSOR Cleaning.....

While we were up visiting Donna Nook, Cobra managed to get some sand on the sensor of his 40D (we did advise not to change the lens on the beach), anyway, we didn't have a rocket blower or anything to clean it so myself an mrgubby suggested that he use the kitchen sink and run it under the water...
www.talkphotography.co.uk www.talkphotography.co.uk

Featuring our very own @Cobra so it must be trustworthy.
Click to expand...

Just read the opening post. Excellent. :LOL:
 
Barrysprout said:
There is also a guide on here.
www.talkphotography.co.uk

Cobra School of SENSOR Cleaning.....

While we were up visiting Donna Nook, Cobra managed to get some sand on the sensor of his 40D (we did advise not to change the lens on the beach), anyway, we didn't have a rocket blower or anything to clean it so myself an mrgubby suggested that he use the kitchen sink and run it under the water...
www.talkphotography.co.uk www.talkphotography.co.uk

Featuring our very own @Cobra so it must be trustworthy.
Click to expand...
PMSL how the hell did you find that?
 
Of course like all good "how to's" there is a part II (y)

www.talkphotography.co.uk

Cobra School of Lens Cleaning :)

Well, 2 years on, and a revisit to the Nook was called for, now after last time and Cobra cleaning his sensor in the sink mrgubby and myself thought he would have learned, Cobra got his lens dirty playing in the sand, and with a lack of lens cleaning kit we suggest the sink again (not...
www.talkphotography.co.uk www.talkphotography.co.uk
 
Merlin5 said:
Ok, looks like I do have to buy a sensor cleaning kit. Firstly, I took a couple of shots of the sky and didn't see the spot. Just now I've done the proper test. Put it to the smallest f/stop on my 16mm and 56mm lenses which is f16. Set it to manual and infinity and pointed at a white wall, took the shots and moved the camera in a circular motion during the shots. In Lightroom, I went to visualise spots. With my 16mm lens attached and looking through the EVF, I noticed a circular blob, pretty much a perfect circle, situated in the top third and dead centre of my camera's rule of thirds grid. This shows up in the first screenshot. I then wiped the rear element and it's gone as can be seen in the second screenshot. The rest of the dust spots are the same for both lenses. They look more like water stains on the sensor than dust, don't you think? Would you say any of them line up with the spot on my tower bridge photos? You can click to enlarge the thumbs.

16mm with circle



16mm circle gone



56mm

Click to expand...
Maybe try a rocket blower and the inbuilt sensor clean first?

Edit, just seen the other posts, ignore this :lol:
 
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I've never used cleaning pads. I just use pec pads and eclipse fluid and wrap the pec pad around a slice cut from an old credit card and tape it in place. It's effective and it's very cheap. I think in about 10 years I'm maybe on my second or maybe third pack of pec pads and my second bottle of fluid.

I agree with blowing the rear of lenses, it's something I always do and I always place lenses rear end downwards.
 
Worth mentioning, if there IS dust on the lens, you will never see it as spots on a photo. You only see dust spots when they are on the sensor and you stop down a little.
 
I just found out a really awesome feature on Pentax for astro (at least wide field stuff)
www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp

PENTAX: The choice for astrophotography / explore | RICOH IMAGING

How can the ASTROTRACER function improve your astrophotography? An expert astrophotography equipment engineer explains why you should choose PENTAX.
www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp

basically one of the newer bodies like K1ii has a "tracker" builtin that works with the IBIS and cameras GPS to track stars for long exposures.

Sony you suck!! not a single useful feature beyond that awesome tracking :-/
 
nandbytes said:
I just found out a really awesome feature on Pentax for astro (at least wide field stuff)
www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp

PENTAX: The choice for astrophotography / explore | RICOH IMAGING

How can the ASTROTRACER function improve your astrophotography? An expert astrophotography equipment engineer explains why you should choose PENTAX.
www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp

basically one of the newer bodies like K1ii has a "tracker" builtin that works with the IBIS and cameras GPS to track stars for long exposures.

Sony you suck!! not a single useful feature beyond that awesome tracking :-/
Click to expand...

My K-1 has it built in but you can buy an addon module for around £150 that fits on the hotshoe for some of the older models.

Useful for shots requiring up to about 50 seconds, no star trails.
 
Merlin5 said:
I need to spend £20 on Amazon to get free shipping for the £14.99 UES sensor swabs and fluid, so need to add £5.01. Is it worthwhile sticking this £6.99 lenspen in the basket?

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Buy something with it thats not going to be in stock for a few weeks then cancel once the swab kit has been delivered.
 
Mike.P said:
My K-1 has it built in but you can buy an addon module for around £150 that fits on the hotshoe for some of the older models.

Useful for shots requiring up to about 50 seconds, no star trails.
Click to expand...

I am very tempted to buy K-1 and have it astro modified to use with manual lenses.
Does the K-1 have live view composite like Olympus for example?
 
Merlin5 said:
I need to spend £20 on Amazon to get free shipping for the £14.99 UES sensor swabs and fluid, so need to add £5.01. Is it worthwhile sticking this £6.99 lenspen in the basket?

Click to expand...

Have been using those lenspens for about 10 years I find them very useful much better than using a cleaning cloth.
 
f/2.8 said:
Have been using those lenspens for about 10 years I find them very useful much better than using a cleaning cloth.
Click to expand...

Thanks Tommy. So I could use the carbon brush to wipe away smears and any water spots that get on the lens as effectively as a zeiss wipe? Does the one I linked look genuine? Most of the customer reviews are 5 stars but one person said the the carbon/ rubber end came off and another says some strands of hair fell out.
 
Merlin5 said:
Thanks Tommy. So I could use the carbon brush to wipe away smears and any water spots that get on the lens as effectively as a zeiss wipe? Does the one I linked look genuine? Most of the customer reviews are 5 stars but one person said the the carbon/ rubber end came off and another says some strands of hair fell out.
Click to expand...

I have never had any bother with any of mine and a couple of them I have had for about 6-7 years or so.

They work much better than the wipes. Just breath on the lens to cause a little condensation before you use them. They work great!

Must have accessory for me.
 
Merlin5 said:
I need to spend £20 on Amazon to get free shipping for the £14.99 UES sensor swabs and fluid, so need to add £5.01. Is it worthwhile sticking this £6.99 lenspen in the basket?

Click to expand...
Definitely get a lens pen. Just done a count-up, and there are 3 on the desk, one in the car, and one in each of my camera bags. No idea how I amassed so many, but they do work.
 
I purchased a used Sony grip for my A9 from Park cameras a couple of weeks ago but to cut a long story short they totally messed up and either sold me something that they didn't have or had already sold it and didn't bother to take it off the web site. Anyway, i'm not a fan of third party grips and I'm not paying a couple of hundred for a used one so started looking at the little metal cages. Found this one on Amazon, was advertised as fitting the A7 III but not the A9 as the A7 doesn't have a control knob on both sides and the cage had a hot shoe but noticed it was screwed on so took a chance.

£19 delivered from Amazon ... makes the A9 so much better to handle.


A9 Cage by Michael Pursey, on Flickr
 
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