- This topic is empty.
Sensor Cleaning?
-
I am looking for some advice in relation to sensor cleaning. I have a very evident dust spot on my sensor which I’d like to get rid of… but I’m in now way confident going anywhere near the sensor.
Does anyone know of anywhere that does this as a service and if so is it reasonably priced?
Any info or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Have you tried a good Air Blower like the “Giotto Rocket” this usually get rid of most dust on the sensor?
Cheers Steve
https://www.photographyireland.net/viewtopic.php?t=7512&highlight=sensor+cleaning
Just watch the mirror doesn’t flip down on you and it’s fine & easy.
if you want someone to do it for you
Berminghms on the quays in dublin do it, someone i know just been in to check out
they charge 60 euros and takes a couple of days
The first port of call should be McCauleys. You can get the Giotto rocket along with other lens cleaning kit for ?11. I’d hate to pay ?60 and wait for 2 days when a blower for ?11 would suffice. I’ve used it on my own effectively – it scared the be-jaysus out of me doing it but worked successfully.
Alan.
You could do it yourself. Its not a big job. You will have to do this yourself eventually possibly a few times a year so get into the hang of doing it.
Your not actually cleaning the sensor. Its the infrared blocking filter in front of the sensor that your actually cleaning, its basically a piece of glass.
Its as dangerous cleaning your lens front element as cleaning your sensor to be honest its just that it takes a little longer. Did a quick search and found the below two links, there’s lots of info on the web at this stage
I use Eclipse fluid and Sensor Swab cleaning wands, find them great but expensive around 90 euro for a kit but it lasts a while
M
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/essays/sensor-cleaning.shtml
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/digitalphotography/prophoto/sensorcleaning.mspxwhere can I find the Sensor Brushes?
are them better than Sensor swab cleaning wands?thanks for any info provided ;)
I can get a bottle of Eclipse fluid and 5 DigiPad Image Sensor cleaners for ?18.45 here:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=230212408480
Just a warning to Nikon DSLR owners, Nikon have been fitting their cameras with sensors that have a special coating that can be damaged by using cleaning fluids. Be very wary before wet cleaning your Nikon.
Here’s some info on the ITO coating from bythom.com http://www.bythom.com/cleaning.htm
ITO coating: D40, D40x, D70s, D80, D300, D2xs, D3
No coating: D1, D1h, D1x, D2h, D2hs, D2x, D50, D70, D100, D200Get an Arctic Butterfly from http://www.visibledust.com. They’re pricey, but great for getting rid of sensor dust.
Stages in sensor cleaning:
1) Use a blower brush (Giotto Rocket Air is the best IMHO) with the camera facing down (so displaced dust falls out of the sensor chamber).
… if that didn’t do it….
2) Arctic Butterfly the thing (uses a statically charged brush to attract stubborn particles).
… if that didn’t do it….
3) Only then try wet cleaning, and have great care.With any sort of contact cleaning be aware that many cameras have grease or oil on the inside of the sensor chamber which can be transferred to the sensor (well, the AA/IR blocking filter) if the brush/swab touches them. So be careful to only touch the sensor itself, not the sides of the chamber.
Also, never blow on the sensor (you’ll end up spitting on it), and never use canned air (as it will spit on it).
Only clean the sensor when there’s enough dust to warrant it. One or two small spot should just be cloned out.
Peter
make sure your batteries are full.That way the mirror wont flip down during cleaning.Once you have done it,its a piece of cake after that. The most bnerve racking thing i have done when at it first.Then it was normal after that.
There are many effective ways to safely clean your Sensor (or protective filter), We at Barker Photographic sell all the popular ones!
Speck Grabber – Like a pen but with a special soft tip to remove larger, easily visible dust specs – Very cheap.
Giotto Rocket Blower – Great with any of these, but watch out for other brands – some of which have powder in them which will make a sensor much worse – I avoid using any blower on the sensor itself as it tends to just blow dust about .
DustAid – Mid priced, really easy and quick to use – excellent results.
Visible Dust and Artic Butterfly – – These are my preferred options, great results – no sweat!
Sensor Swabs and Eclipse fluid – The Ultimate, and often last resort, great for removing “stuck on” particles.
Do’s:
Make sure you have your camera battery fully charged, preferably use an external power source.
Use the correct Sensor cleaning setting for your camera – This turns off the power to the sensor, which attracts dust when powered up.
Choose a clean, low dust free room, with windows closed.
Take your time, do not rush it.
Don’t:
Use a tin of compressed air to blow at the sensor, They contain lots of imurities and can “Freeze” the surface when sprayed upside-down.
Use Ordinary tissues.
Avoid using a long exposure of “Bulb” setting as the shutter can close and get damaged.
You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
