Has anyone used a Sensor Gel Stick to clean their sensor? Someone just recommended this method of cleaning my sensor to me. I watched the tutorial, and it looks like an awesome way to...

Nightski

Someone just recommended this method of cleaning my sensor to me. I watched the tutorial, and it looks like an awesome way to clean your sensor. Has anyone else ever used this product? Did you like it? Are there any problems I should watch out for when using it?

KennyMac Loc: Lynchburg, VA

Nightski wrote:

Someone just recommended this method of cleaning my sensor to me. I watched the tutorial, and it looks like an awesome way to clean your sensor. Has anyone else ever used this product? Did you like it? Are there any problems I should watch out for when using it?

Sandra, You might want to read the reviews on Amazon for it. I use the Sensor Swabs & solution by Photographic Solutions. They are sized for FF & APC. Just swipe once from left to right, flip it over, then right to left.

Nightski

KennyMac wrote:

Sandra, You might want to read the reviews on Amazon for it. I use the Sensor Swabs & solution by Photographic Solutions. They are sized for FF & APC. Just swipe once from left to right, flip it over, then right to left.

You should watch the tutorial before you are so quick to dismiss the gel stick. Have you ever tried it? I'm really interested in hearing from people that have tried it. I have cleaned a sensor the way you prescribed. I did it on my Rebel XTI. A hair fell in while I was cleaning and I didn't know it. When I did the check, I thought I had scratched my sensor. Of course on further inspection I saw the hair and easily removed it and my sensor was clean. But it made me realize how easily a scratch could happen and it really scared me away from swabs. So now with my 6D, I have been avoiding the whole cleaning thing altogether.

http://photographylife.com/product/sensor-gel-stick

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

Nightski wrote:

You should watch the tutorial before you are so qu... (show quote)

Caveat here: I've not used the Gel Stick & I'm certainly not discouraging it's use or minimizing the "risk" with sensor cleaning.

BUT two points:
1) sensors themselves are not that susceptible to scratching when following cleaning instructions.
2) re-using a applicator that will contact the sensor would seem a greater risk than a swab (one-time use)

JMHO

Nightski

LoneRangeFinder wrote:

Caveat here: I've not used the Gel Stick & I'm certainly not discouraging it's use or minimizing the "risk" with sensor cleaning.

BUT two points:
1) sensors themselves are not that susceptible to scratching when following cleaning instructions.
2) re-using a applicator that will contact the sensor would seem a greater risk than a swab (one-time use)

JMHO

What do you foresee happening, LRF?

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Nightski wrote:

Someone just recommended this method of cleaning my sensor to me. I watched the tutorial, and it looks like an awesome way to clean your sensor. Has anyone else ever used this product? Did you like it? Are there any problems I should watch out for when using it?

I recommend caution, there have been numerous posts in recent months of these gel sticks damaging sensors because of being TOO sticky. Here is a recent one:
http://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/54311211

Here are some UHH posts on them:
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-194858-1.html
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-221585-2.html
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-185270-1.html
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-241157-1.html

Nightski

MT Shooter wrote:

I recommend caution, there have been numerous posts in recent months of these gel sticks damaging sensors because of being TOO sticky. Here is a recent one:
http://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/54311211

Here are some UHH posts on them:
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-194858-1.html
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-221585-2.html
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-185270-1.html
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-241157-1.html

Thank you for getting to the meat of the matter, MT.

:thumbup:

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

Nightski wrote:

What do you foresee happening, LRF?

Failure to completely remove particles & the residue causing an issue.

My swabs are sealed & I wouldn't think of re-using one.

Nightski

Nightski wrote:

Thank you for getting to the meat of the matter, MT.

:thumbup:

OMG ... :shock: :shock: :shock: this link was enough to do it for me.

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/54311211

Mr PC Loc: Austin, TX

I've used the Sensor Gel stick on my D5200, but only after the camera's builtin cleaning and a rocket blower didn't do the job. I have the kit with the lighted loupe. You gently dab the area with the sticky dirt and it lifts it right up. There is a Tony Northrup video included in his book How to Create Stunning Digital Photography that shows how to do it and how to tap the gel stick hard on your table to free crud from it. I'm a computer guy and not afraid to take laptops apart. If you're not comfortable, please, by all means either use the swabs or pay somebody to clean your sensor.

peterg Loc: Santa Rosa, CA

I use and like my Sensor Gel Stick (http://photographylife.com/product/sensor-gel-stick). The regular one is blue, which is supposed to be for most cameras except the Sony. There's an orange one that's less sticky for the Sony. Contrary to some text on the above link, the Sony (orange) version is available. I just got mine. The movie (http://vimeo.com/6551861) link on the same page shows technicians cleaning a Leica sensor with an orange version. Thus, I wonder if the orange, less sticky, version wouldn't be suitable for all cameras' sensors.

jcboy3

Nightski wrote:

Someone just recommended this method of cleaning my sensor to me. I watched the tutorial, and it looks like an awesome way to clean your sensor. Has anyone else ever used this product? Did you like it? Are there any problems I should watch out for when using it?

I cannot imagine a more risky thing to do with a camera (okay, changing lenses in a sandstorm or on a boat). If a rocket blower won't clean the sensor, send it in for cleaning. If you damage the sensor, you will have a mighty big repair bill.

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

Nightski wrote:

Someone just recommended this method of cleaning my sensor to me. I watched the tutorial, and it looks like an awesome way to clean your sensor. Has anyone else ever used this product? Did you like it? Are there any problems I should watch out for when using it?

I use it. First I use the Rocket Blower. Look at the sensor with a sensor loop then use the gel stick as directed then clean the gel stick. If the gel stick has not completely cleaned the sensor then I use a wet swab

peterg Loc: Santa Rosa, CA

mborn wrote:

I use it. First I use the Rocket Blower. Look at the sensor with a sensor loop then use the gel stick as directed then clean the gel stick. If the gel stick has not completely cleaned the sensor then I use a wet swab

Same here. The blower, which I already carry for lenses, and gel stick are especially handy when traveling.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

Nightski wrote:

You should watch the tutorial before you are so qu... (show quote)

I have one and have yet to use it but it seems like a great product. It just so happens that I've not had any heinous sensor dust since I sold my Canon gear.