jbmauser Loc: Roanoke, VA

I figured I would ask the UHH tribe before I swallowed the marketing spin. Never cleaned a sensor before.

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

Quick Advise: Pay a Professional to do it. I do not care what everybody else is going to say, but a good friend who used to manage the camera repair facility for Brooks Institute told me of the horror stories of sensor damage due to improper cleaning. For a fair cost, you get your sensor completely cleaned, plus an image of where the dust was.

RichardSM Loc: Back in Texas

Well here's and interesting fact Nikon use a gel stick to clean it's camera sensors, I use it on my Canon sensors the one I use is made by a German company and the cost of it runs $55.00, there are some other type that cost less but don't do a very good job of picking lent and crud.
This is the site I got mine see below.
http://photographylife.com/product/sensor-gel-stick

CO

Try using a filtered blower if possible. I have the Koh Global Hepa Jet Air II filtered blower. It has a large hepa filter, an anti-static filter, and one-way check valve. Most blowers have a rubber bulb that can shed fine particles. The Koh blower has a medical grade PVC bulb that won't do that. I have had dust bunnies on my sensor and focusing screen. This blower took care of it. You can purchase it from Adorama Camera or directly from Koh Global.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

I stay away from gel sticks now.
The filter stack in front of the sensor is stuck together with a weak adhesive and has been known to delaminate.
Happened to me.
I may have had a counterfit version of the gel stick, but I'm not going down that road again.
KEH Camera fixed it for $250.
Better not to risk it.
I use a filtered blower first, then if that doesn't get it, sensor swabs.

(Download)

marki3rd Loc: Columbus, Indiana

A gel stick will remove things like dust, hairs and lint if used properly, but it is not effective on oil or sticky substances.

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

I use the filtered air blower. If that doesn't do it, then I take it to a camera shop or send it to Nikon. If they mess it up then they HAVE to fix it. If I mess it up, then I have to fix it. Just got the D70s cleaned last week. It's probably good for another year or so if care is taken while changing lenses.

RichardSM Loc: Back in Texas

Wow that's a shame GNewfie the one I purchased works just fine. It also cost $55.00
Above I posted the link it's the genuine one.
By the way what camera was it you damaged.

repleo Loc: Boston

I tried the gel sticks and only got about 75% of the dirt off. In the process I managed to smear some of the mastic that seals the perimeter onto the sensor. The swab sticks with the spade shaped tips and solution were easier to use and did a really good job.

I don't think I would try either method on a camera I couldn't afford to ruin.

Check out this LensRental video before you try. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRW9AmDPqr0

peterg Loc: Santa Rosa, CA

I've used Gel-Sticks a few times with success.
I've cleaned my sensors many times over the years. Start with gentle steps listed below, which are easy & safe to do when traveling. Progress to more aggressive steps only if needed. Read instructions. Watch videos. When traveling, consider, living with spots and fix in post processing.
1. The in-camera sensor cleaning cycle.
2. Strong manual bulb blower.
3. Brush that picks up dust with static electricity. These are made specifically for sensors. Create static electricity with the blower used in step 2 above.
4. LensPen SensorKlear II ( http://www.lenspen.com/our-products/dslr-sensor-cleaning/sensorklear-ii ) Good for a spot or few.
5. Dust-Aid Platinum ( http://dust-aid.com ). This is less sticky than the gel-stick. Press VERY gently.
6. Gel stick ( http://photographylife.com/product/sensor-gel-stick ). There are two models, one for Sony
7. Wet cleaning when I get home.

brooklyn-camera I Loc: Brooklyn, NY

I shoot with a 7D MII, on football fields and change lenses from 24-70mm to a 70-200mm to a 100-400mm and my sensor has been know to pick up foreign matter on the sensor. First I would use the GIOTTOS jet blower, second a brush to pick up matter which will not blow off the sensor. If these have no impact on the dirty sensor I use the GEL STICK and have never had any problems whatsoever. You can see the foreign matter on the sticky paper when you clean the GEL STICK. My GEL STICK is made in Germany and the cost is around $55-$60 on the GEL STICK site. I all so purchased a packet of extra sticky papers. Just press lightly and you should have no problem whatsoever.

The video shows that you can even clean your mirror and viewfinder too. I must admit that I never thought of doing that. I just tried it and it works wonders, cleaned the mirror and viewfinder and it feels like a new camera. The dirt that came off the GEL STICK onto the sticky paper was amazing, who knew?

I have had it for over 2 years and it has paid for itself over and over. I would recommend keeping the GEL STICK in its metal container and in a cool location and out of the sun.

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

twinhearts Loc: Southwestern Michigan

I was taught how to clean my sensor by a gentleman at his small camera shop. I went in with questions and to ask about the price. He proceeded to show me how on an old, non working camera. He said he will stick to what he knows to be tried and true. Sensor swabs. He said some off brand gel sticks can leave residue and that many people press too hard and damage the sensors.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

Last time I paid for a leaning, it did not go well. It was done by a Nikon authorized repair site near me. I took it in, showed them the ref pic and the goobers. Looked like oil spatters. I got it back 2 days later and took another ref pic, some goobers were still there. Not a happy customer. Back to the store with printed pics before and after cleaning, the clerk (owner?) was horrified. He said "wait here". About 20 min later he returned said "I am very sorry that this happened". Obviously no charge. It was clean this time.

I think that the problem is the "professional" is a high school kid, who for training, watched the video on how to do it. He does it a lot so he (or she) is good at it. But upward mobility for that job is limited so the turnover is high. So if you happen to get the guy (or gal) who just started, you may get the same experience that I got above.

FYI my DSLR Camera Sensor has remained clean since then. I'm not one to change lenses in a tropic jungle during a monsoon, or at burning man during a sandstorm. I swap lenses in a quiet calm environment and I am careful about it.

One other thing. DSLRs with that flipping mirror flinging oil everywhere and stirring up all the air and dust are much more prone to sensor goobers than mirrorless cameras. My mirrorless camera, has never had any sign of sensor dust/debris and it pre-dates all my DSLRs.

brooklyn-camera I Loc: Brooklyn, NY

Off Brand is the key word..

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Honestly, there's no single device for sensor cleaning that "does it all". I have never done a cleaning that didn't require at least three different steps with different tools.

1. Bulb blower to puff away loose particles.
2. "Adhesive" cleaning products to lift lightly adhered particles.
3. "Wet" cleaning swabs and fluid to remove more adhered particles and oils.
4. Brushes, precision vacuums and individual speck removal tools.
5. Magnifying loupe and lighting to be able to see what's needed.
6. ... and maybe some other stuff.

For MUCH more info about sensor cleaning (and to help you decide if you want to tackle it yourself or pay someone to do it for you), see:

www.cleaningdigitalcameras.com