Boone Loc: Groundhog Town USA

I am not real happy with the cleaning kit I'm using. I am experienced in this area, but I would like to know what kit you use. The reason I ask is that I really feel that the swabs in this kit are somewhat "Stiff". It seems that I need to use to many to get a clean sensor.

Maybe it is the "Cleaning Fluid" that comes with the kit.

Since I am predominately a Portrait Photographer, I don't need to clean the sensor a lot, but thought I would ask what products you all may use! The attached photo is the kit I used today, it worked fine...but is there a better kit out there!!!

Thanks much to all who may know!

Thanks again,
Boone.

(Download)

therwol Loc: USA

I'd like to know the same thing. I do take pictures outdoors and do change lenses, and I'm just waiting for the dreaded spots to show up. I'd like to be prepared. (Before touching my sensor, I'd definitely try a Rocket Blower first, but others report that doesn't always work.)

jdubu Loc: San Jose, CA

I have a Delkin cleaning kit with lighted scope. Haven't used it in quite a long time since I send my camera bodies and lenses into CPS for maintenance on a rotational basis.

AGO

I've used the Visibledust system with good results. I got it from Adorama.

zug55 Loc: Naivasha, Kenya, and Austin, Texas

Tony Northrup has a great video on this where he describes both product and procedures. I ordered the product and used it myself, with good results.
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1832544630120775

I also have made it a habit of using the rocket blower on the sensor after each use, before I put it away. This has helped my control the problem.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

I rarely need a wet cleaning. I get good enough results with the camera's cleaning function, using a Giotto Rocket-Air, and good lens changing practices.

An exercise in sensor cleaning

therwol Loc: USA

I clicked on your link, and I agree totally with the way you handled a dirty sensor. Once you apply moisture, you have a new ballgame. Think about cleaning the dust off of the top of your refrigerator. I learned a long time ago that it's best to dry clean it with something like a vacuum cleaner before applying anything wet. Ifr you don't, the dust that was dry becomes something like sticky mud once moisture hits it, and cleaning it suddenly becomes a messy chore. I don't like the idea of anything touching a sensor with any amount of contamination, even one piece of crud.

But if it ever comes down to wet cleaning a sensor, what to use?

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

I bought a large quantity of VisibleDust back in the day, maybe 10 years ago now. If I used them a lot / frequently, I'd probably have exhausted all the tips by now. But, since I use the process above (camera sensor shake, Giotto and lens change technique), I can't think / remember when I last did a wetcleaning, certainly not once in 2020. When I've thought of needing a wetcleaning, I believe VisibleDust is not an ongoing business concern. BTW - the 1-swip and discard is extremely wasteful of these cleaning tools. I use a single swab / swab cover until that sensor cleaning session is complete. You can see on the sensor if you've left any 'streaks' of solution, the aspect of the process that needs to be used at the minimum.

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

"...using the rocket blower on the sensor after each use..." excellent prophylactic! As well as using it on the lens' mount also. Not a fan of "wet" cleaning... I let Nikon services do this on the very rare occasion it becomes a serious issue.

btw, To check for sensor dust, turn off auto-focus, set your camera to Aperture Priority mode, then select a narrow aperture, such as f/16 or f/22. Using a telephoto lens or long end of a zoom set to the longest focal length, take a photo against a white wall at the minimum focusing distance from your subject. Manually dial the lens completely out of focus, and click off a frame. Inspect at 100% in Photoshop (or similar)... Those pesky dark spots are "sensor" dust... which can btw be virtually invisible when shooting wide open.

And are so easily removed in Post :)

When I was a kid my family doctor told me never put anything smaller than my elbow up against my eye :)
Great advice for camera sensors also...

If you shoot mirrorless? Oh well... so glad I'm using a good old mirror flapper... lol
That mirror does an epic job of covering my sensors...
Nikon even has added a "Dust Deflector Shield" in it's latest flagship the Z9.
So StarWars... "Deflector Shields Up Scotty!"

agillot

I have 3 nik cameras , cropped sensor .change lenses daily outdoor, always end up with dust spots in pictures . i have always fixed that by using a vacuum cleaner .get a cheap hose type , like a mini shopvac [ $ 25 ] , remove lens , set camera at 2 or 3 sec exposure , hold hose a inch or so from opening , actuate camera 2 or 3 time , and voila , dust gone , also do rear of lens .just too easy .And no , you wont suck pieces of the camera .takes a few minutes , cost nothing . Not for anal retentive people .Been doing it for years with zero issue .

Don, the 2nd son Loc: Crowded Florida

Ditto!

AGO

I agree that blowing the dust out is the best practice. I've only used the Visibledust system twice in my 15 years of digital photography. But, when you need it, it is indispensable.

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

When I was doing a lot of shooting of events I would follow a three-step procedure. Rocket blower, Arctic Butterfly, and pre-moistened swabs.

After each procedure I would check for dust and if the image was acceptable I would stop there.

People used to recommend a clear sky or a blank wall but I found them inconvenient. I could not always wait for a clear sky, and the blank walls in my home had texture. I finally wound up using my computer. Since I was using the computer anyway to view the test images, I just brought up a blank page on the word processor, turned off autofocus and set the lens to infinity and a small aperture and stuck the camera right up to the monitor. No monitor structure was visible since it was out of focus and even if it wasn't very bright, a long exposure didn't matter because the dust moves with camera motion so long exposures were no problem. And I was right there at my computer so I could look at the image right away. And I could do the cleaning procedure right there at my desk.

Short writeup of my procedure at https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/user-page?upnum=2857

GLSmith Loc: Tampa, Fl

I have used the Visible Dust brush & lighted magnifying glass for about 8-10 years. I periodically (about 3-4 months) will examine each of the sensors on my camera bodies. The small brushes & fluid leave no streaks

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Go to http://cleaningdigitalcameras.com and http://Photosol.com.

I use a Rocket Blower for surface dust, then a Sensor Swab with Eclipse fluid for stuck on crud.