Sensor cleaning

[Mudge]

Lemme' pick the brains of youse photographically competent troops.

What's the best sensor cleaner you've ever used?
If it matters, I have a Canon 20D.

Mudge the novice

[Roger Cain]

Only used one type, but for mine, I used the "Sensor Swabs" with a cleaning solution, and it worked fairly well. You have to make sure to get the right size for the camera, as different cameras have different sensors sizes.

[bdk]

I didn't have much luck with the sensor swabs and the special solution. I had it done professionally and it was better, but still not 100%. Unless you live in a dustproof house, you may end up making it worse!

[Roger Cain]

I'm far from a dustproof house, along with two cats that shed everywhere. I wore those goofy looking magnifying glasses, went to a room the cats weren't in, and have cleaned my older 20D and 30D dozens of times, removing the unwanted major spots on my sensor. Occasionally a tiny one would remain, but it was a lot cheaper than paying a shop to do it a dozen+ times.

[Kyleb]

Only used one type, but for mine, I used the "Sensor Swabs" with a cleaning solution, and it worked fairly well. You have to make sure to get the right size for the camera, as different cameras have different sensors sizes.

I've used these, and they work well. I also have a "rocket blower", which is good for removing (or at least scattering) loose dust.

With this kind of thing, it is all about taking your time, maybe doing it twice, etc...

Good luck!

[Lynn Allen]

Sensor swabs with the sensor solution and use the rocketship blower to dry it....

[vg-photo]

Make sure you use lint free swabs. If you use q-tips, you are likely to add even more dust. Rocket blowers will usually get rid of the worst of the dust.

[k5083]

I thought the rule was never ever touch the sensor with anything but air. I can imagine where the temptation would be irresistible if a stubborn piece of dust refuses to blow off, but it seems to me this should be a last resort. I say "imagine" because cameras use a new sensor every frame so I have not had the problem.

August

[Kyleb]

I thought the rule was never ever touch the sensor with anything but air. I can imagine where the temptation would be irresistible if a stubborn piece of dust refuses to blow off, but it seems to me this should be a last resort. I say "imagine" because cameras use a new sensor every frame so I have not had the problem.

August

Ideally, you'd never have to clean the sensor. Unfortunately, it doesn't work out that way. So first you try non-invasive methods like the rocket blower. But if something fugly sticks to the sensor, all your pictures are boogered up and that's the time for more drastic measures like cleaning swabs. In 7 years of DSLR ownership I've only had to resort to that one or two times. It was a nervous experience, but certainly worthwhile to remove whatever persistant junk was messing up my pictures...

So to answer your question - sensor swabs are a last resort, but not a "never do".

[skippyscage]

I thought the rule was never ever touch the sensor with anything but air. I can imagine where the temptation would be irresistible if a stubborn piece of dust refuses to blow off, but it seems to me this should be a last resort. I say "imagine" because cameras use a new sensor every frame so I have not had the problem.

August

you never touch the sensor - it's the sensor filter that is being cleaned.

it's an easy painless process

[Roger Cain]

I've used the brand "Sensor Swabs" at least 20 times to clean my 20D and 30D over the years. Never had a problem. My 50D and 7D have the auto cleaning features, and I have only done the cleaning once on the 50D.

[vg-photo]

Those work well, Roger. They sell the solution only for cleaning. I had a buddy that used the solution with a q-tip. He said it took him forever to get all the additional dust from the q-tip out.

I have found the rocket blower gets most all spots off. I have also used canned air, but you have to be careful with that as it sometimes sprays out some of the compressed "carrier" gas that can spot the sensor cover.

[Roger Cain]

I have found the rocket blower gets most all spots off. I have also used canned air, but you have to be careful with that as it sometimes sprays out some of the compressed "carrier" gas that can spot the sensor cover.

That is very risky, I've been in several classes where they say to never use compressed air, but yes, as a first strike, I do try and use a rocket blower.

Mudge, I presume (maybe I shouldn't have presu,med) you've already attempted to clean your sensor with a hand held air blower, but incase you haven't, that is the first plan of attack for cleaning your sensor.

[bdk]

Roger, maybe you can hold a Friday evening demonstration/clinic next May?