Best Approach to Sensor Cleaning
techguy817
Registered since 19th Oct 2020
Mon 23-Nov-20 01:46 PM
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#1. "RE: Best Approach to Sensor Cleaning" | In response to Reply # 0
Mon 23-Nov-20 03:10 PMI have always cleaned my own sensors, usually only do it when I see something on an image. The cleaning methods I use:
• Blower
• Brush
• Wet swabs and sometimes a gel stick
I used to attend a photo show once a year and would avail myself of one of the vendors who offered on-site cleanings.
Regarding cleaning on a shoot. I have cleaned the sensor in the Badlands — back in the motel. My recommendation for your Bruce and Zion shoot: when you change lenses, face away from the wind — and hopefully wait for a minute of no wind.
Jon Kandel
An Alexandria, VA Nikonian and Team Member
Please visit my website and critique the images!-
#2. "RE: Best Approach to Sensor Cleaning" | In response to Reply # 1
techguy817 Registered since 19th Oct 2020Mon 23-Nov-20 03:23 PMThanks Jon. Any specific products you can recommend?
I'm usually careful with my D500 changing lenses only in safe areas, body pointed downwards, etc. Plan to do the same with the new Z body - just seems so much easier for these mirrorless cameras to collect stuff on the sensor (and that's what I've been told from others).-
#3. "RE: Best Approach to Sensor Cleaning" | In response to Reply # 2
Mon 23-Nov-20 03:56 PMAllen,
You may consider looking on the B&H Photo site. They have lots of products, with lots of reviews about them.
"Today is the tomorrow that yesterday you spent money like there was no."
Visit my Nikonians gallery. -
#4. "RE: Best Approach to Sensor Cleaning" | In response to Reply # 2
Mon 23-Nov-20 04:51 PMDan is right, there is a lot of product out there. For starters:
• A blower is a blower — but many of us gravitate to a Giottos Rocket Blaster, which comes in various sizes and colors…
• There are a gazillion pen-shaped brushes. I use a cheapie, shown here with a blower, and many people prefer the Visible Dust Arctic Butterfly brushes.
• Sensor Swabs and Eclipse Solution from Photographic Solutions. Note that the swabs are sized for different sensors.
• I recommend a lighted magnifier, makes it easy to see if there still are spots or gunk on the sensor. The prices go up over a hundred dollars. The one I like costs $10. It’s small, flat, easy to carry with a few of the swabs and a blower when I travel. Oh, and it works.
Jon Kandel
An Alexandria, VA Nikonian and Team Member
Please visit my website and critique the images!-
#5. "RE: Best Approach to Sensor Cleaning" | In response to Reply # 4
Tue 24-Nov-20 11:22 AMJon, I've had the pen-shaped retractable brushes forever, but for some reason I never thought of them to use on a sensor. For that I've always used the Arctic Butterfly. So in your opinion the pen-shaped brushes work OK? -
#13. "RE: Best Approach to Sensor Cleaning" | In response to Reply # 4
Mon 07-Dec-20 04:58 PM | edited Mon 07-Dec-20 05:00 PM by PBlaisLighted Loupe is the ONLY way to go. You can't clean what you can't see.
They cost a bunch, but if you think you can see the dirt completely with a naked eye you are under 21 or blind enough to not see anything. Thinking you cleaned it isn't really enough in POST. I go places I know I'll change lenses and pick up some crud. I bring the cleaning gear - Juice and swabs (3 week trip) and usually use it at least once. You just Mirror Up and pop off the lens and see the dirt in the loupe with perfect light. Without the light you can't see because your head is over the mount and you'll think it's better than it is. The loupe comes in a serious padded case and it's way cool gear. No one sees you do it but it feels great after - sound familiar? It really is nice to know you got it all!
I don't clean dust spots. I clean the sensor! You could have a full blown cootie on the sensor! Cleaning sensors with the proper gear is really easy when you use a loupe. Best rule is you swab across and back and toss the swab. Then start over. I don't use prelubrcated swabs. I use real Eclipse (or "Aero" on an airplane trip). One bottle will last for many years!Visit my Nikonians gallery.
See my portfolio.
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#6. "RE: Best Approach to Sensor Cleaning" | In response to Reply # 0
Tue 24-Nov-20 11:26 AM | edited Tue 24-Nov-20 11:30 AM by Rassie
I've also been cleaning my own sensors for years now.
If I see dirt I start with the rocket blower. Sometimes that is sufficient to get the sensor clean.
If there's still dirt I use the gel pad next. Failing that, it's a wet swab. I also sometimes use the Arctic Butterfly brush.
The difference with the Z mirrorless cameras is that you can see sensor dirt in the viewfinder while shooting. I used the rocket blower on my Z6ii just yesterday when I saw a speck while shooting a hawk. With the DSLR's you don't know the dirt is there until you look at the image on a monitor afterwards.
If I see dirt I start with the rocket blower. Sometimes that is sufficient to get the sensor clean.
If there's still dirt I use the gel pad next. Failing that, it's a wet swab. I also sometimes use the Arctic Butterfly brush.
The difference with the Z mirrorless cameras is that you can see sensor dirt in the viewfinder while shooting. I used the rocket blower on my Z6ii just yesterday when I saw a speck while shooting a hawk. With the DSLR's you don't know the dirt is there until you look at the image on a monitor afterwards.
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#7. "RE: Best Approach to Sensor Cleaning" | In response to Reply # 6
Wed 25-Nov-20 08:25 AMThe other difference with the Z-cameras is there is a nano-coating on the sensor stack, so dust or dirt is less likely to show up on your sensor at all. If you simply use the sensor cleaning option in the menu combined with a blower, it will handle almost all the dust.
Don't forget to blow off the back of your lenses. I had a small strand of lint on the back of a lens element a few years ago and it was VERY difficult to fix with editing or cloning of any type.Eric Bowles
Director - Nikonians Academy
Nikonians Team Moderator
My Gallery
Workshops and Private Instruction
Nikonians membership — my most important photographic investment, after the camera-
#8. "RE: Best Approach to Sensor Cleaning" | In response to Reply # 7
Wed 25-Nov-20 10:21 AMI ran into a small piece of thread on the back element of a new-to-me used 200 macro. It took me several minutes to figure out what as going on…
Jon Kandel
An Alexandria, VA Nikonian and Team Member
Please visit my website and critique the images!-
#9. "RE: Best Approach to Sensor Cleaning" | In response to Reply # 8
Haymarket Registered since 06th Jan 2017Wed 25-Nov-20 11:03 AMI use a blower to keep the inside of my camera bodies free of the tiny bits that love to end up on the sensors. I also set the sensors to clean themselves shutdown and start up -- but you still have to blow the stuff out of there. Hold the camera upside down with the mirror retracted and use a bulb blower to give it many blasts of air and time enough for the really light stuff to settle out of the cavity. I will do this at least once a week with each body. I still get stuff on the sensor that none of this removes. I have one of the good kits I bought from B&H and about twice a year I will use the swabs to clean the sensors. I have done this for years with no problems. Follow the instructions exactly. Remember it is static that attracts these almost microscopic particles and it takes some energy to remove them. It is also important to keep the outside of the camera bodies and lenses clean and clear of these things. That is probably the major source of the Debis. I'm fortunate in that I have three bodies and rarely change lenses on location. But if I do I carry cloths that I can set on my car or even the ground to set things on. I wash those cloths periodically to keep bits off of them. At the end of the day -- nothing works and it is an endless task that you must perform as part of your regular routine.John Ellingson, Haymarket, Virginia
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#14. "RE: Best Approach to Sensor Cleaning" | In response to Reply # 7
Mon 07-Dec-20 05:02 PMGood idea Eric! Dirt comes from many places.Visit my Nikonians gallery.
See my portfolio.
#10. "RE: Best Approach to Sensor Cleaning" | In response to Reply # 0
Fri 27-Nov-20 01:50 PM
My own experience has been the Z body has been very resistant to dirt on the sensor, compared to any of my DSLRs. I have wet cleaned it once when we...the camera and me...were caught in crop duster pass my glasses were a mess but one big spot on the sensor, the wet slurry got us right when changing lenses, with the flange pointed down. Otherwise no other cleaning. The built-in system seems to work well due to the new coating on the Z sensors. If you do need to clean it, so close to the flange, it is a much faster, easier job than on a DSLR.
Stan
St Petersburg Russia
Stan
St Petersburg Russia
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#11. "RE: Best Approach to Sensor Cleaning" | In response to Reply # 0
Sun 06-Dec-20 07:46 PM | edited Sun 06-Dec-20 07:47 PM by kentak
I know I'm a bit of an outlier in this respect, but I have had good luck with the canned gas dusters. That method is almost universally condemned on photo forums. So, I will not recommend it, just relate my method.
I use a product labeled for use on electronics. I also will only use a can that is partially full--to reduce the chance that the unvaporized volatile liquid will be expelled. I use it with the plastic straw attached, am careful not to agitate the can, and make a couple of test puffs to clear any residue in the straw.
I keep the can upright, don't extend the straw too far into the camera, and use short, measured puffs. I use it on sensors, rear elements, front elements, and also to blow dust off objects I'm shooting for close-up or macro.
So far, so good.
In the past I've used sensor swabs and eclipse liquid with good results on stubborn debris. I'm not very good, as it usually takes two or three tries to get it all. You've got to swipe smoothly and completely across the sensor or you may leave residue behind. Also, only moisten the swab, not "wet" it.
I've also had good luck with the "sticky stamp" type of cleaners. It worked best on the stubborn dust a blower wouldn't remove. Haven't used that in quite a while, and I'm reluctant to use it on an IBIS sensor for fear of doing some damage to the mechanism. Unfounded? Maybe. Educate me.
I use a product labeled for use on electronics. I also will only use a can that is partially full--to reduce the chance that the unvaporized volatile liquid will be expelled. I use it with the plastic straw attached, am careful not to agitate the can, and make a couple of test puffs to clear any residue in the straw.
I keep the can upright, don't extend the straw too far into the camera, and use short, measured puffs. I use it on sensors, rear elements, front elements, and also to blow dust off objects I'm shooting for close-up or macro.
So far, so good.
In the past I've used sensor swabs and eclipse liquid with good results on stubborn debris. I'm not very good, as it usually takes two or three tries to get it all. You've got to swipe smoothly and completely across the sensor or you may leave residue behind. Also, only moisten the swab, not "wet" it.
I've also had good luck with the "sticky stamp" type of cleaners. It worked best on the stubborn dust a blower wouldn't remove. Haven't used that in quite a while, and I'm reluctant to use it on an IBIS sensor for fear of doing some damage to the mechanism. Unfounded? Maybe. Educate me.
Kent
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#12. "RE: Best Approach to Sensor Cleaning" | In response to Reply # 11
Mon 07-Dec-20 04:25 PMBoth Canon and Nikon techs use compressed air for cleaning, but not for cleaning the sensor. They use it to blow off dust and debris from the mount and around buttons and switches. Inside the mirror box they use it to blow out dust, but it's using very short "touches" of air - not extended bursts.
These techs have a lot of practice with this technique. It's definitely not recommended and there is a real risk of propellant or damage from this approach if used incorrectly.Eric Bowles
Director - Nikonians Academy
Nikonians Team Moderator
My Gallery
Workshops and Private Instruction
Nikonians membership — my most important photographic investment, after the camera-
#15. "RE: Best Approach to Sensor Cleaning" | In response to Reply # 12
Wed 09-Dec-20 04:58 PMI understand completely, Eric, which is why I said I'm not recommending it. However, for me, I am comfortable with the precautions and methods I use to avoid either expelling volatile liquid or excessive gas pressure. I've been doing this for quite some time with good results. Others should do what they are comfortable and confident with doing.Kent
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Just recently picked up a Z6 II which seems amazing so far! Also have a D500 and have been shooting with Nikon DSLRs for over 15 years. I've always just used the camera's built in sensor cleaning function and would periodically send my camera bodies in to a reputable service center for cleaning. I'm going to Bryce and Zion parks in late December and I usually don't do much shooting in colder, snowy weather. That along with my new Z6 II and it's sensor that is "front and center" have me wondering if I should pick up a sensor cleaning kit for my trip.
How many of you clean your own sensors? How often and do you do it while out on a shoot?
What is a good sensor cleaning solution? Is there one that I can use on both my Z6 II and D500?
Thanks for the tips!