whats the best way to clean the sensor of dust?

Info, discussion, repair manuals, downloads, home fixes, horror stories!
stevecim
Imperial Ambassador
Posts: 568
Joined: Fri Aug 22, 2008 8:22 am
Location: Australia

whats the best way to clean the sensor of dust?

Unread post by stevecim »

Any advice would be great

Cheers, Stephen
User avatar
Winston
Grand Caliph
Posts: 467
Joined: Fri Jul 18, 2008 5:29 pm

Re: whats the best way to clean the sensor of dust?

Unread post by Winston »

I use the Copper Hill Sensor Brush. I use it at home, on the road, and have used it several times in the African bush...works great.
Winston Mitchell
KM7D, A700, A77, A77M2, A7M3
User avatar
KevinBarrett
Emperor of a Minor Galaxy
Posts: 2449
Joined: Wed Aug 13, 2008 5:32 pm
Location: Seattle, Washington, USA
Contact:

Re: whats the best way to clean the sensor of dust?

Unread post by KevinBarrett »

I'm going to urgently point out that you shouldn't use any method of cleaning that "presses" on the sensor. The mounting and motors for the SSS can be goofed up with too much pressure on the sensor. You'll end up with an imager that is out of alignment and no more SSS.

I just use a rubber bulb-type blower, inverting the camera so that the dust doesn't fall back into the mirror-box like the manual says. I haven't needed to do anything else yet.
Kevin Barrett
-- Photos --
stevecim
Imperial Ambassador
Posts: 568
Joined: Fri Aug 22, 2008 8:22 am
Location: Australia

Re: whats the best way to clean the sensor of dust?

Unread post by stevecim »

I've noticed these marks on all off my photos.

Image
Image
is this what dust looks like?


I've tried both lenses I have, and the marks are still there.
User avatar
Birma
Tower of Babel
Posts: 6585
Joined: Sun Jun 29, 2008 3:10 pm

Re: whats the best way to clean the sensor of dust?

Unread post by Birma »

That looks like dust to me. I recommend the "blow while inverted" technique described by Kevin. It has worked for me so far. DK has previously described the technique to highlight the dust - I think it was maximum aperture, focus on infinity, against a white background.
Nex 5, Nex 6 (IR), A7M2, A99 and a bunch of lenses.
User avatar
[SiC]
Imperial Ambassador
Posts: 483
Joined: Fri Sep 05, 2008 7:16 am
Location: Hammarö, Sweden
Contact:

Re: whats the best way to clean the sensor of dust?

Unread post by [SiC] »

I use a simple blower brush.

/Z!
Sony A700, A580, Nex-5t, KM D7D & VC-7D, M Dynax 500si
KM 17-35 F2.8-4 D, M 50 F1.7 RS, M 135 F2.8, M 28-100 F3.5-5.6 D, M 100-200 F4.5, T 70-300 F4-5.6 Di USD, S 18-55 F3.5-5.6 SAM, S 18-70 F3.5-5.6
Sony hvl-f42s, Minolta 3600 HS D
Sony Z1C & Z2
David Kilpatrick
Site Admin
Posts: 5985
Joined: Sat May 19, 2007 1:14 pm
Location: Kelso, Scotland
Contact:

Re: whats the best way to clean the sensor of dust?

Unread post by David Kilpatrick »

Birma wrote:That looks like dust to me. I recommend the "blow while inverted" technique described by Kevin. It has worked for me so far. DK has previously described the technique to highlight the dust - I think it was maximum aperture, focus on infinity, against a white background.
Minimum aperture - f16 or f22. Maximum aperture is f3.5, f1.4 etc... just to be confusing.

David
User avatar
Birma
Tower of Babel
Posts: 6585
Joined: Sun Jun 29, 2008 3:10 pm

Re: whats the best way to clean the sensor of dust?

Unread post by Birma »

Doh! Sorry I got it the wrong way round. DK, thanks for clarifying.
Nex 5, Nex 6 (IR), A7M2, A99 and a bunch of lenses.
stevecim
Imperial Ambassador
Posts: 568
Joined: Fri Aug 22, 2008 8:22 am
Location: Australia

Re: whats the best way to clean the sensor of dust?

Unread post by stevecim »

Hi

The sales man in the pro-department at TEDs recommended one of these.
http://www.falconsafety.com/dustoff/Pro ... ?ItemId=55" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I'm a big fan of cleaning PCs with compress air, but I was not game to use my compressor on the sensor, so I'll give the above can a try and report back ;)
User avatar
dewarp
Oligarch
Posts: 150
Joined: Fri Jun 15, 2007 6:35 am
Location: South Africa

Re: whats the best way to clean the sensor of dust?

Unread post by dewarp »

I use the original Arctic Butterfly (http://www.visibledust.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;)

See also http://www.luminous-landscape.com/revie ... ly-2.shtml" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

regards - Peter
stevecim
Imperial Ambassador
Posts: 568
Joined: Fri Aug 22, 2008 8:22 am
Location: Australia

Re: whats the best way to clean the sensor of dust?

Unread post by stevecim »

Yer, they had them has well but triple the cost of the can :) might save up for one, looks like a good product to keep in the camera bag.
stevecim
Imperial Ambassador
Posts: 568
Joined: Fri Aug 22, 2008 8:22 am
Location: Australia

Re: whats the best way to clean the sensor of dust?

Unread post by stevecim »

well, fired up the camera today and the dust seems to have gone Hmmm

Stephen
User avatar
KevinBarrett
Emperor of a Minor Galaxy
Posts: 2449
Joined: Wed Aug 13, 2008 5:32 pm
Location: Seattle, Washington, USA
Contact:

Re: whats the best way to clean the sensor of dust?

Unread post by KevinBarrett »

stevecim wrote:Hi

The sales man in the pro-department at TEDs recommended one of these.
http://www.falconsafety.com/dustoff/Pro ... ?ItemId=55" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I'm a big fan of cleaning PCs with compress air, but I was not game to use my compressor on the sensor, so I'll give the above can a try and report back ;)
STOP! Do NOT use compressed air cans on your camera. Those cans deliver lots and lots of moisture...which is why it isn't recommended that you blow (with your mouth) in your camera as well.
Kevin Barrett
-- Photos --
User avatar
Dr. Harout
Subsuming Vortex of Brilliance
Posts: 5662
Joined: Wed May 30, 2007 7:38 pm
Location: Yerevan, Armenia
Contact:

Re: whats the best way to clean the sensor of dust?

Unread post by Dr. Harout »

KevinBarrett wrote:STOP! Do NOT use compressed air cans on your camera. Those cans deliver lots and lots of moisture...which is why it isn't recommended that you blow (with your mouth) in your camera as well.
I do hope Stephen reads this in time...
A99 + a7rII + Sony, Zeiss, Minolta, Rokinon and M42 lenses

Flickr
User avatar
Dr. Harout
Subsuming Vortex of Brilliance
Posts: 5662
Joined: Wed May 30, 2007 7:38 pm
Location: Yerevan, Armenia
Contact:

Re: whats the best way to clean the sensor of dust?

Unread post by Dr. Harout »

Kevin, I have just sent a PM to Stephen. Thanks for warning. Hope he reads it.
A99 + a7rII + Sony, Zeiss, Minolta, Rokinon and M42 lenses

Flickr
Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 6 guests