skingfong Loc: Sacramento

I'm going to wet clean the sensor in one of my cameras. It looks like it has two round oil spots. Someone told me to use 90% grade alcohol. I didn't know if that would suffice so I bought a 2 oz. bottle of Eclipse sensor cleaning fluid just to be on the safe side. So my question is has anyone used alcohol instead with satisfying results?

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

I haven't. And I wouldn't. It takes 2-3 drops to clean a sensor. This is a case of unnecessary risk.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

I have used Isopropyl Alcohol 99% and it works well and is inexpensive.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

I would just buy a sensor cleaning kit with the proper fluid and swabs. They are not expensive. If you damage you sensor, experimenting doing it cheaply, you're looking at a very expensive repair. Any camera outlet sells the kits.

skingfong Loc: Sacramento

The expensive repair crossed my mind. That's why I ordered the Eclipse cleaning fluid along with some swabs first. Hopefully the 2 oz. bottle will last since it only used a few drops at a time.

skingfong Loc: Sacramento

Good to know. Thanks

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

I have never cleaned a sensor, and, given my clumsiness, I probably never will. I have no idea what chemical compound is used to coat a sensor. Some coatings will degrade with pressure and some will eventually degrade with certain cleaning agents. But, given that you may clean your sensor several times, causing ongoing degradation of the coating each time, I would listen to the professionals only! I and the guy who uses hog spit and the gal who uses Dawn haven't the faintest idea what we're doing or how much trouble it can cause in a year or two or five. If you don't believe that, listen to some of old timers who used whatever to wipe the coatings off of older lenses. If your camera manufacturer does not endorse a cleaning agent, ask them! If they offer no advice and your sensor can't be cleaned with a gentle puff of air, have a technician (preferably one officially approved by the manufacturer) do the cleaning. Keep the receipt and/or work order. If you keep your camera ten years and the sensor coating starts to degrade, you have recourse for out-of-warranty repair. Digital photography isn't so old that we know everything about it. If we were experts after owning our equipment after a year or two, please explain the number of photographers who died in the mid nineteenth century from mercury poisoning.

Leicaflex Loc: Cymru

The spots are more than likely pollen.
I would definitely not use alcohol.

I only use : http://www.visibledust.com/index.php

Tried, tested and proven.

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

I've done it using the Eclipse and Visible dust cleaners, but I get the best results when I bring it into a camera repair tech and let them do it. If they scratch the filter that covers the sensor, it's on their dime that I get a new one.

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

Of course conditions vary greatly, but I'm curious to know: how frequently do you find it necessary to have a cleaning?

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

a bottle lasts "FOREVER"

TonyP Loc: New Zealand

I would advise strongly against using it.
Have a look at the Copper Hill Images product. They have a complete Sensor Cleaning Kit with everything you need included, including very good instructions. Excellent value.
I bought a kit from them about 5 years ago, have used it three times without a problem, just by following the instructions included. I think with what I still have left it will last me out. Google their website address but their tel number (USA) is (or was) 540 929-4076 and their email is (or was) cophilimg@msn.com

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

Sorry to say Copper Hill is out off business Delkin has a complete kit available https://www.adorama.com/cpdss3.html?RRref=productPage

SS319

Of course, the questions are: Is your camera under a warrantee plan or a maintenance plan? Does the Owners manual provide direction on using solvents to clean the sensor? What would the cost be for a trained and bonded professional to clean your camera?

Of separate interest, how did you get oil or any other liquid or semi-liquid into your camera and onto the sensor? I always ensure when changing lenses that the oncoming lens is clean and ready before I take the current lens off and then try an limit the exposed time for the camera interiors to less than 1-2 seconds. Nothing but a camera cap or a clean lens ever comes near the camera flange.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Cleaning fluid is alcohol.