Manual sensor cleaning

IPT

IPT

Active member
Who's using what for sensor cleaning? Thought this Canon self cleaner was the bomb, until I took some shots at F22...ugh. Prefer to order from BandH, but they can't ship wet solutions. Would even prefer to just use a dry wipe without fluid if possible (anyone use one of the antistaic brushes?). It'll be on a Canon Full sensor body.
 
Have you tried using the blower yet? I have a Giotto Rocket blower and before i would dare touch the sensor i always try to see if the blower can dislodge the particle first.

I have one of those anti-static brushes/kits from www.visibledust.com but i have yet to use it since i've managed to get rid of everything so far using just the blower.
 
I've been using Visible dust products for a couple years. I have their "Arctic Butterfly" and it works "okay." There are times, however, where wet cleaning is the only thing that works.

Once you get it clean, regular cleaning is the best way to avoid issues. When the sensor is energized it develops a static charge. That charge is what holds the dust particle to the sensor. Over time that dust particle gets almost "welded" on and becomes really hard to remove. I try to blow mine out every time I go shooting; that helps keep it in check.
 
Louis, another thing that you may want to look into is that if your 5D is less than 1 year old you may be entitled to a free cleaning. Call Canon service and ask.
 
I wish it was, I took the plunge early on. B&H have that "arctic butterfly"? I'll take a look for it, and probably order the E2 sensor swabs from Photographic Solutions (via B&H) too. Just in case it's real stuborn. I like your idea of blowing it out frequently. Regular maintnance will go along way. Crazy as it sounds the few times somethung got on there I was usually able to just manually blow it away but I guess I should stop playing games.

Anyone use one of those static neutralizing brushes? Doug what's the word about them?
 
Many of the "brush" techniques, Arctic butterfly included, put a static charge on the brush and use that charge to pull the dust away. Some of the wet solutions claim to reduce static but really it's being re-created every time you take shot.

I don't have any first-hand knowledge of a "static neutralizing brush" but it sounds like snake oil.
 
Thanks - sorry for my made up term. What I was referring too was the brush you mentioned (or something like it). I thought what you were talking about was a blower type of device like Mrsandman mentioned. I'll need to take a look at what they have but it's nice to know you're happy with that product. I'll give it prioritized consideration.
 
I use all 3 Louis. I find that if I use the Rocket blower after every shoot, that I rarely have to resort to other means. If the blower doesn't work, I use the brush. If the brush doesn't work, I use wet cleaning.

If you do end up wet cleaning, it's really important that you not use the same side of the swab for more than one pass; i.e. one pass and then if necessary turn it over before doing a second pass. Ideally you should really only use a swab for one pass but they're so pricey that I usually cheat a little. What you're trying to avoid is dissolving whatever crude was there and then redepositing it with the next swipe.
 
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Thank you very much - now I am off to do an online purchase....hopefully I can control myself and keep it to the essentials! (is a Blu ray player an "essential" yet, LOL).
 
That's a newer version but yes.

Once you see it you'll be somewhat annoyed that it costs what it does but it works. An alternative is getting a brush and using a "can of air" to "charge" the brush. Same idea and works the same. The caveat is that you can't fly with the can of air.....
 
Well....the blower moved a spec or two, but not the real offensive one. I tried the Arctic butterfly next. Whatever it was smeared, ugh. I guess next will be the Sensor swabs from Photographic solutions. They say to use a pretty firm pressure (enough to bend the brush handle). Stroke one direction and then back the other without lifting it off the sensor. At least they gaurentee that it will not damage the sensor. Still, I will wait a day or two to build up the nerve. I'm bummed the less involved measures didn't work.

Anyone ever used the swabs?
 
Makes me feel better Doug :), I needed to hear that. The smear freaked me out. All I think about is a trashed sensor. Probably the risk is over stated, but man what a daunting idea that it can be damaged.

What swabs/solution did you use?
 
I've used Visible dust swabs, (both orange and green), but now I generally use 'Sensor Swabs' from Eclipse. It has nothing to do with whether one is better than the other, it's just that my local camera store started carrying the Eclipse swap so I don't have to pay shipping anymore.

The good news is that what you're cleaning isn't actually the sensor. It's a glass filter (the hot mirror) that sits on top of the sensor. It's pretty tough but it is possible to scratch it.
What likely happened is that your brush might have picked up some grease, still left over from assembly. You'll want to clean the brush thoroughly before you use it again. I'd use something like Dawn and hot water to break up the grease and then give it a final rinse in alcohol.

If your smear is grease it may take a few swipes to get rid of it. Visible dust has a solution called "smear away" that is especially for grease. It will, however, leave residue of it's own so you have to follow it with their normal cleaner.
 
I think those are the ones I have too. Sensor Swab, type 3 with the E2 solution (already pre-wetted). I wonder if I should give that try first or get the "smear away"? Any thoughts on that? I would think the "sensor swab" would handle it too. Any thoughts?

Any words of wisdom/experience in using the sensor swab? One pass to the left, lean brush the opposite way and sweep back again (using the opposite side of the pad)? I only got the 4 pack so I hope it works!

Thanks for your input. This is uncharted territory for me. I have avoided it for a long time but the time has come.
 
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<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13977841#post13977841 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by IPT

Any words of wisdom/experience in using the sensor swab? One pass to the left, lean brush the opposite way and sweep back again (using the opposite side of the pad)?
Click to expand...

That's basically it. Make sure that your swab is premoistened with the "E2" fluid vs. the "Eclipse" fluid.
 
Yeah, it's E2. In your experience so far did take more than one swab (one pass each way) to remove a smear? I'm sure after this first time I won't hasitate at all but this time is like leaping off a 30 story building for me.
 
cool, now I won't immediately panic if the first pass doesn't do the job. Thanks again for sharing your experiences.
 
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