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 Fungi Filmin', Wine Drinkin', 'Shroom Eatin', Early Risin', Deer Whisperin', Curry Cookin', Macro Maniac
Chilliwack + Osoyoos
3618 Posts |
Posted - 09/07/2007 : 03:58 AM
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With all the lens changing I do, over the last couple of years, my 10D sensor has been getting worser and worser !!!
I was paranoid about cleaning it, however plucked up the courage and dropped $65 on a SensorKlear Pro by Lenspen of Vancouver: Their info is here:
It comes with a rubber blower and a couple of spare heads too...
There's an on-line instruction movie (which hopefully will soon be downloadable)...
After opening up the camera, and raising the mirror, you could actually "see" the crap on the sensor... So with the blower first (it works like a miniture gale-force wind), and holding the opening downwards, blew all the sh!t outta it !!!
I was as pleased as Punch, and took some "after" shots... decided I would use the "cleaner" part yet... not till I really needed it !!!
Before and after shots:
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Now a purist might still see a couple of blemishes, but they'll be gone if when I use the cleaning pen itself !!!
Hey, maybe I could start a small business of cleaning CT'er's sensors for them ???
(By the way, the rare, antique Mettlach 2001a Stein is available for $1,000... more (dirty sensor) pics of it are here:)...
C'Jack...
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Edited by - OK Jack on 09/07/2007 04:36 AM
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Hope, BC
Canada
7098 Posts |
Posted - 09/07/2007 : 04:50 AM
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For the price of $1000 would you include beer as well?
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Fungi Filmin', Wine Drinkin', 'Shroom Eatin', Early Risin', Deer Whisperin', Curry Cookin', Macro Maniac
Chilliwack + Osoyoos
3618 Posts |
Posted - 09/07/2007 : 05:10 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by AcesHigh
For the price of $1000 would you include beer as well?
Yup... a case of 24 !!! |
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Satirical photoshop junkie who frolics in the mountains of the Chilliwack River Valley
Chilliwack, BC
Canada
6908 Posts |
Posted - 09/07/2007 : 09:26 AM
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| Fortunately more DSLR manufacturers are taking Olympus' lead and going with some sort of self-cleaning sensor system. Good to see you found something that worked for you CJ. |
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Fungi Filmin', Wine Drinkin', 'Shroom Eatin', Early Risin', Deer Whisperin', Curry Cookin', Macro Maniac
Chilliwack + Osoyoos
3618 Posts |
Posted - 09/07/2007 : 10:10 AM
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| Another reason why I'm saving my pennies for a 40D... |
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Whistler, BC
Canada
631 Posts |
Posted - 09/07/2007 : 5:03 PM
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Built in sensor cleaning doesnt work yet, you know...
Oly has been tested to be the most effective, removing 50% of the dust after 25 cleaning "cycles"
I'm pretty sure it takes less time to pop off your lens and give it a few puffs with a rocket blower, and its definitely more effective. |
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925 Posts |
Posted - 09/10/2007 : 3:09 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Andrew_strain
Built in sensor cleaning doesnt work yet, you know...
Oly has been tested to be the most effective, removing 50% of the dust after 25 cleaning "cycles"
I'm pretty sure it takes less time to pop off your lens and give it a few puffs with a rocket blower, and its definitely more effective.
Too true. Also, it's dust removal, not cleaning. I see it more as something else that can go wrong with the camera. However, technology marches on and improves with each generation of camera and I am sure one day we won't have to worry about dust at all. |
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
543 Posts |
Posted - 09/11/2007 : 11:59 AM
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| Anal as I am, if I open up my camera to clean it, it better be completely free of dust spots when I'm done. I never got the hang of lens pens - on the two occasions I used them I only succeeded in getting tons of extra crud and lint on the sensor. I also got a hurricane blower that apparently had plastic residue inside - not a nice thing to blow on to your sensor. From those two experiences, it is only pec pads and eclipse swiping from me. It is more involved, takes more time, and usually 5-6 swipes to get it right. But it does remove every last speck, it doesn't shift dust around inside the camera, and can be used to clean the mirror, focusing screen, dark box and lens mount as well. And, of course, every optical surface on your lenses. |
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new Westminster, bc
Canada
365 Posts |
Posted - 09/12/2007 : 12:28 PM
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| I use the Arcic Butterfly and find it does a great job/ A coule of swipes and my sensor is clean. On a side note I just got back from a dusty six day Chilcotin trip (lotsd of lens changes) and am still dust free, and yet sometimes I'll be at the beach and the dust will magically transport itself into my sensor!! |
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Maple Ridge, BC
Canada
739 Posts |
Posted - 11/08/2007 : 2:43 PM
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I need to clean the sensor on my Rebel XT.
Some Flickr forum pointed me to Copper Hill. Has anyone any experience with their products?
After hitting the local photography store and finding out they charge $34 for six disposable lens swipes (sans cleaning fluid!), Copper Hill's mega pack appears to be a good deal, especially since I could use the auxiliary cleaning tools as well. Bonus: it's in U.S. dollars!
http://www.copperhillimages.com/shopping/pgm-more_information.php?id=9
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Whistler, BC
Canada
631 Posts |
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Fungi Filmin', Wine Drinkin', 'Shroom Eatin', Early Risin', Deer Whisperin', Curry Cookin', Macro Maniac
Chilliwack + Osoyoos
3618 Posts |
Posted - 07/24/2008 : 4:00 PM
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Well... I sucked it up and finally decided to clean my sensor properly... After all, I bought the frickin' Lenspen cleaner thing a year ago, and got tired of using the little blow thingy (which only works once or twice or thrice) !!!
Scared the shit outta me... But, ended up being un morceau de gateau !!!
Before...
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After...
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Now the "purists" amongst you will find a wee blemish or two in the blue sky, but to me (who's colourblind as well) it's a million times improvement...
OK'Jack... |
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Hope, BC
Canada
7098 Posts |
Posted - 07/24/2008 : 4:23 PM
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| That's a huge difference, very noticably better. good job |
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Happy go lucky, plaid wearin, postholin, safeway gaitor sportin, old-school film shootin, giver of many regards
Abbotsford, B.C.
Canada
13465 Posts |
Posted - 07/24/2008 : 5:14 PM
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That did the trick..
K |
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Fungi Filmin', Wine Drinkin', 'Shroom Eatin', Early Risin', Deer Whisperin', Curry Cookin', Macro Maniac
Chilliwack + Osoyoos
3618 Posts |
Posted - 07/24/2008 : 5:22 PM
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Yeah... I'm a happy camper now...
I change lenses soooooooo often in the bush, it's pretty obvious that the sensor's gonna pick up dirt...
R...
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Satirical photoshop junkie who frolics in the mountains of the Chilliwack River Valley
Chilliwack, BC
Canada
6908 Posts |
Posted - 07/24/2008 : 5:27 PM
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| Time to upgrade that old 10D for a DSLR with a sensor cleaner built in. |
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Fungi Filmin', Wine Drinkin', 'Shroom Eatin', Early Risin', Deer Whisperin', Curry Cookin', Macro Maniac
Chilliwack + Osoyoos
3618 Posts |
Posted - 07/24/2008 : 5:54 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by BillyGoat
Time to upgrade that old 10D for a DSLR with a sensor cleaner built in.
I'm not as wealthy as you... or as young... or as smart.. or as good looking... Sides, I'm saving my money for a new ATV... |
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
543 Posts |
Posted - 07/30/2008 : 9:16 PM
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I was always very unlucky with those lenspens. For me, they seem to leave more dirt on the sensor than they actually clean.
I am a purist - I hate to have even one speck on the sensor. With the places I take my camera, I find myself cleaning it about once every two months.
I first try the blower, but as Jack said, it only works up to a point. After a couple of times, you will be shifting the dirt around rather than getting it out.
Another problem is that dirt accumulates not only on the sensor, but also on the sides of the chamber and on the lens mount (both on the body and on the lenses). So eventually you have to do a proper cleaning job.
I use the "Copper Hill" wet cleaning method. It consists on using a plastic spatula, lint-free tissues called PecPads, and an optical cleaning solution called eclipse. You can buy the whole kit online. They ship to Canada.
I first clean the lens mount (on the body and all lenses that need it). Then the sides of the chamber. Then the mirror and the ground glass. The sensor goes last. If you reverse the order, you may clean the sensor first only to get it dirty again with the crud that falls from the other elements of the camera's interior.
Although the online instructions make it seem that it takes an effortless swab to clean the sensor, the truth is that you may find yourself swabbing several times until you can remove the dirt. Some dirt is pretty stubborn - it seems to stick to the low pass filter protecting the sensor. But eventually you will get it all off.
Self-cleaning sensor units help, but they are not a complete solution. Dirt will eventually get stuck to the sensor, particularly if you do not use your camera for an extended period. Eventually, every sensor will need to be cleaned. This is true even if you don't change lenses. Unless you have a weather-sealed prime lens, every camera will get dust. This is because zooms work as air pumps, and the air they pump into the body contains dust that will find its way to the sensor.
Finally, if you have a Nikon camera under a Canadian warranty, the Nikon service center in Richmond will clean it for free once. They will also replace all the rubber pieces that show some wear at that point. It takes around 4-5 days, but they do a very good job. Just take your proof of purchase with you showing that it was purchased at an authorized Nikon dealer in Canada and that it is still under warranty (typically two years from the date of purchase). |
Edited by - Mauricio on 07/30/2008 9:17 PM |
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 adventure seeking, peak-bagging, high-enduring, strong and silent forest gnome
N49°09', W122°47'
Canada
3819 Posts |
Posted - 07/31/2008 : 4:21 PM
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I finally broke down and bought a kit last weekend to clean my sensor. Hey, after 2 years, it was definitely due. I didn't bother with the CO2 this time around - just one swab. It seems to have done the trick - quick and easy. Funny, I was going to just buy the swabs and solution, but those two items together were more expensive than the entire kit.
BTW, even with a self-cleaning sensor, you'll have to manually clean it sooner or later (just not as often). |
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Satirical photoshop junkie who frolics in the mountains of the Chilliwack River Valley
Chilliwack, BC
Canada
6908 Posts |
Posted - 07/31/2008 : 11:47 PM
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| I had my Olympus E-500 for 2 years and never cleaned the sensor and I switched lenses quite often. |
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
543 Posts |
Posted - 08/01/2008 : 12:15 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by BillyGoat
I had my Olympus E-500 for 2 years and never cleaned the sensor and I switched lenses quite often.
Well, my buddy did the same with his Canon 5D, but his picture are full of crud! Seriously, I know that Olympus' system is the most efficient out there. It was also the first one to be introduced. Canon and Nikon's systems leave a lot to be desired. |
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Sensor Cleaning
