TP: Cleaning the sensor in your camera

Sorry to Drag this up but let me get this correct..

For my a900 I require E or E2 and #3 swabs for a wet clean as my blower will not shift the dirt??

Sorry Eclipse or Eclipse E2, #3 swabs are the correct size for FF according to photographic solutions??

Method.

1. Put on a 50mm prime. I assume you have one, if not, use another prime (works best I find - or at least as short zoom at maximum length, say 55-70mm). Ensure your camera battery is fully charged.

2. I generally use (A) mode on the camera. Adjust lens aperture to highest setting (say f/32, f/22 or whatever).

3. Using either on-board or external flash, focus on a clean white/bright background and take some frames. The narrow lens aperture will bring out the specks much better and make them more distinct and you can more-or-less determine if the contamination is moisture, hair/fibres and/or sticky dust specks. If necessary, do this in (M) manual mode.

4. You need a loupe (illuminated magnifier) irrespective of cleaning method, else you can't check to see where the specks are or to check the sensor post cleaning.

5. Clean using either or both methods as outlined below, but re-check the sensor with the loupe (even with a wet clean, it's a good idea to tidy up the edges of the sensor with the Sensorklear II pens even after wet cleaning. Check all is OK and turn off camera.

6. Re-fit lens, and again take several frames as suggested above. If all has worked, you ought to have a perfectly clear image.

YouTube Lenspen Sensor Cleaning System: English

Lenspen Sensorklear II kit (SKLK1). Dry method.

Wet method with clinically clean swabs and E2 fluid can be used in conjunction with above from their eBay shop DigiPads. I would recommend after wet cleaning, you should inspect the sensor with a loupe and if required, follow-up with a dry clean using a Sensorklear II pen to tidy any remaining micro fibres and remaining stubborn spots that the wet swab wasn't able to remove and re-inspect with the loupe.

The loupe is invaluable as without it you can't see what's clean or dirty. Personally, the blower is a no-no with the shutter in the open position. Where the cr@p goes . . nobody knows . . maybe onto the underside of the mirror flap or onto your viewfinder. I would never use a blower. My personal choice.

I would recommend the Lenspen Sensorklear II (SKLK1) + loupe as your first option. It really is easy to do and will save you a lot of money over time as a do-it-yourself (DIY) maintenance procedure.



FWIW, contamination can easily be identified by using the smallest aperture and taking a few shots against a clean white background. I will do it for you for free if you cover postage. Really, there's nothing to be concerned about. The sensor is covered by several protective layers. You don't actually clean the sensor itself.

Edited by Pirate - 21 March 2011 at 18:30

Johnontheroad wrote: In the Gary Freidman ebook on the a900 he states never to use a blower on the sensor, yet many people here suggest that. So why not use a blower? Is it because you don't where the dust, if any, ends up? == John

I went to one of Gary's seminars and he said that the dust could stay inside the camera and get on the sensor again or get into something else, so he recommends using the specified cleaning products instead.

But, I still used the blower method (holding the camera upside down to help any dust drop down after it's dislodged). I'm comfortable with the risks involved, but everyone is different.

Warning re Minolta 500mm reflex and dirt on the sensor. A couple of months ago I had a real problem with dirt on the top right corner of the sensor(A65). Using a rocket blower failed to dislodge it, I ended up taking it to the local camera shop who sent it off to Sony it came back perfect.   I went through my photos to see when the dirt might have entered the camera and then I realized the culprit may have been my 500mm reflex lens. The dirt had appeared after I had used the lens in the local national park, The day had been very bright and I had to swap to the ND$ filter. This of course opened the rear of the lens to the elements and it seem that it was at this time the dirt got in. A more professional photographer advised me that when I change lenses or filters in the field to do it inside a plastic bag to prevent a repeat. Good advice and probably most useful for the Minolta 500mm