Dirty Sensor (Page 2): around the edge, not center.

peterg Loc: Santa Rosa, CA

jerryc41 wrote:

He should have used Vaseline.

around the edge, not center.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Mark Bski wrote:

Not just a dirty sensor, but an atrociously dirty filthy sensor.

After a "mirror lock" for cleaning, I blow out the inside with the "rocket blower."

I tried the "sensor gel stick," but that seemed to make it worse.

Then I tried some regular dry swipes, it seemed ok at first, but I just noticed this today.

Any cleaning ideas? I HATE my dirty sensor.

NEVER use a dry wipe on a sensor. You need materials specifically made for safely cleaning the delicate surface.

I use Photosol Eclipse and Aeroclipse, and SensorSwab ULTRA swabs. They are the only materials recommended by a large range of camera manufacturers for cleaning sensors.

Go here: http://photosol.com

Watch the video linked from their home page. Cleaning technique is CRITICAL to avoid damaging the sensor coating.

You may need to make several attempts to get all that goo off. Use a fresh SensorSwab for each attempt.

Charles 46277 Loc: Fulton County, KY

Tallulah Bankhead said if they photographed Shirley Temple through gauze, for her they would need to use linoleum.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

peterg wrote:

To check for sensor spots, I take a shot of the sky using a small aperture, low ISO, out of focus & slow shutter while moving the camera. Then review on the camera's LCD while zoomed into a small portion of the shot. Slew the photo left/right/up/down. Spots are easy to see and locate as they travel across the camera's LCD. Confirm spot with a magnifying glass, clean, repeat test. No computer needed.

The Carson is faster. Just wipe and look, wipe and look.

Jack47 Loc: Ontario

Mark Bski wrote:

Not just a dirty sensor, but an atrociously dirty filthy sensor.

After a "mirror lock" for cleaning, I blow out the inside with the "rocket blower."

I tried the "sensor gel stick," but that seemed to make it worse.

Then I tried some regular dry swipes, it seemed ok at first, but I just noticed this today.

Any cleaning ideas? I HATE my dirty sensor.

I have cleaned mine several rimes, BUT, only after doing thorough research and watching a dozen or more videos of people who knew what they were doing. I have only used sensor fluid and swab and personally I would not trust anything else. Looks like you need a pro now...........or maybe a new sensor. Good luck.

gunner369 Loc: NV

Hi, I own a several Nikons D2x, Canons EOS 1D mkII, Fuji S-3 Pro and Olympus E-1 cameras and have used only items from a generic cleaning kit I have, first I blow sensor, if still shows dirt, then I use a wet swab and then I use a dry swab to dry it, it has always cleaned my sensors

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Jack47 wrote:

I have cleaned mine several rimes, BUT, only after doing thorough research and watching a dozen or more videos of people who knew what they were doing. I have only used sensor fluid and swab and personally I would not trust anything else. Looks like you need a pro now...........or maybe a new sensor. Good luck.

His sensor is probably not damaged, only the low pass filter if his camera has one. It can cost as much as $400 or more to get it replaced. Or he can contact Life Pixel, the company that does infrared conversions and they will replace the low pass filter with clear optical glass for $275, and pick up a little extra resolution in the process.

agillot

blowing move the dirt around , i use a T mount adapter , [ no lens ], i take a 5sec or longer picture , i use the shop vac hose , gently tap the body on something to loosen stubborn dirt , and voila , you are done . , so you do it first with mirror down , then with mirror up shutter open . just too simple .

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

I second Jerry's suggestion of investing in a sensor loupe. Maybe a $50 investment but it saves so much time eliminating testing and retesting, and probably saves on wear and tear of your sensor too. Glad I got one.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

Just invoke a mirror up with your menu and then take a garden hose and hose it off. If that doesn't work connect hose to a pressure washer and try that . . . and if that doesn't work take it to the do-it-yourself car wash and put $2 in the machine and use the suds mode to wash it out, rinse, then the wax mode.

Kidding

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Mark Bski wrote:

Not just a dirty sensor, but an atrociously dirty filthy sensor.

After a "mirror lock" for cleaning, I blow out the inside with the "rocket blower."

I tried the "sensor gel stick," but that seemed to make it worse.

Then I tried some regular dry swipes, it seemed ok at first, but I just noticed this today.

Any cleaning ideas? I HATE my dirty sensor.

You need to do a proper wet cleaning, then follow up with a bulb blower for anything that settles back onto the sensor and a SensorPen to gently polish it.

Sensor appears to have oil spots and particles on it.

It also would help to not use f/40 (!!!). Such an extremely small aperture is almost bound to show some specks, even on the world's cleanest sensor!

You might see almost no specks at large apertures... and with a 24MP APS-C sensor camera aren't doing your images any favor using f-stops smaller than about f/8 or f/11.... Google "diffraction" and read about it.

The best and most complete info on sensor cleaning can be found here: www.cleaningdigitalcameras.com

That website is written and maintained by professional camera repair techs who also happen to own and operate Micro-Tools.com, one of the main sources for the camera repair industry. So they've tried it all and no doubt done hundreds or thousands of cleanings.

JimRPhoto Loc: Raleigh NC

Never done it myself for worry about damaging the sensor. However, what I have learned is you need equipment. A loupe for close up view of the sensor, swabs made for the purpose, and cleaning fluid also made for the purpose. Plus a non-aerosol way to blow out the dust. I concur with other advice to have it done by a professional. I'm fortunate in that the local camera store where I bought two camera bodies (used) will clean them, for life, for free. The guy who does it is worth watching, as there are things you would not think of trying it on your own. Good luck. JimR

JeffinMass Loc: MA

It's a good idea to always have your camera upside down when cleaning your sensor. That way when being blown the dust will fall out and not in. The Giotto blower brush is ideal.

blue-ultra Loc: New Hampshire

I have had mine done professionally at my local camera store, nice job and short money. Well worth it as there is no damage to the camera. of course you can remove the spots in photoshop in the meantime.

A short story here, I was in Nantucket riding on the public transportation and a fellow noted my camera strap "Nikon". He politely asked how I was doing and if I was getting any good shots. Of course a discussion came up about photography. Turns out he was a Nikon employee. He told me to never change my lens around the sea shore as the dense air would cause my sensor to have spots. He said to change lens in your vehicle with the windows closed or use a changing bag. Now I understood why I had such a problem with my sensor having spots. I have headed his advice and never change my lens outdoors unless I am very careful and have had no issues since. Just saying and playing it forward...

blue-ultra Loc: New Hampshire

I have had mine done professionally at my local camera store, nice job and short money. Well worth it as there is no damage to the camera. of course you can remove the spots in photoshop in the meantime.

A short story here, I was in Nantucket riding on the public transportation and a fellow noted my camera strap "Nikon". He politely asked how I was doing and if I was getting any good shots. Of course a discussion came up about photography. Turns out he was a Nikon employee. He told me to never change my lens around the sea shore as the dense air would cause my sensor to have spots. He said to change lens in your vehicle with the windows closed or use a changing bag. Now I understood why I had such a problem with my sensor having spots. I have headed his advice and never change my lens outdoors unless I am very careful and have had no issues since. Just saying and playing it forward...