Sensor Dust: I've never attempted to clean my sensors. But now with so few camera shops, there's no place to take a camera for cleaning. I'm terrified to do this for fear I'll damage...

Hal Masover Loc: Iowa and Florida

I've never attempted to clean my sensors. But now with so few camera shops, there's no place to take a camera for cleaning. I'm terrified to do this for fear I'll damage my sensor. But I'm thinking this probably isn't that hard. Suggestions please.

Toment Loc: FL, IL

YouTube may be of help…

bikinkawboy Loc: north central Missouri

I bought a cleaning kit off Amazon. It has the proper cleaning pads and works well. Just make sure you buy the proper size, some are for crop sensors and others for the full frame size. My kit is altura brand. I too approached it with trepidation, but just be careful and take your time. One camera was pretty bad and it took 3 swabs to get it clean but no damage occurred.

worldcycle Loc: Stateline, Nevada

First time I did it, it was scary. I enlisted a friend with a similar camera and we did it together. Piece of cake really. Yes, YouTube is your friend. And yes, make sure you have the proper size swabs and you won't have any issues.

Ava'sPapa Loc: Cheshire, Ct.

I was very hesitant and thought that I would never attempt it but I did and with great success. Do as others here have done and get the right sized swabs, check out you tube and give it a go. I bet you'll be pleasantly surprised. Good luck.

Doyle Thomas Loc: Vancouver Washington ~ USA

here is a slick trick. in ur bathroom turn the shower on full hot an let the room steam up. shut off the water and exit closeing the door. the steam will attach to the dust in the air and fall to the floor leaving the bath dust free.

clemente21

I cleaned my two cameras' sensors yesterday for the first time. Could not be easier. Get yourself a loupe so you can see the sensor and any dust it may have. My cameras are APS-C, so I got the appropriate size swabs. The swabs have a video which shows what to do. The first thing I did was to run the sensor cleaning option in the camera a few times. Then used the blower to remove the looser particles.

I kind of freaked out because after the first pass after I noticed a streak that was not there before. I thought I scratched the sensor, but then realized I used too much liquid. After another pass (and another swab) the streak was gone and the sensor was pristine. Ended using more swabs than necessary, but now I know how. Only use the swab once back and forth. Otherwise you might be putting back those dust particles.

This is what I used:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0091SS310?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08D6DHS4D?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

A wet clean may be needed for a dirty camera that has never been cleaned before. But, if you start with a 'clean' (or new) sensor, a Rocket Blower may be all you ever need, if used periodically.

An exercise in sensor cleaning

Canisdirus

Most cameras have a 'clean sensor' function in their menus.

Your camera will do this when shutting down...more than likely.

But get in the habit...when you are taking off a lens...point the body mount down and use the clean function.

Just a good habit to have.

riderxlx Loc: DFW area Texas

Doyle Thomas wrote:

here is a slick trick. in ur bathroom turn the shower on full hot an let the room steam up. shut off the water and exit closeing the door. the steam will attach to the dust in the air and fall to the floor leaving the bath dust free.

This is a good common sense idea. Thank you for sharing it.
Bruce.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Hal Masover wrote:

I've never attempted to clean my sensors. But now with so few camera shops, there's no place to take a camera for cleaning. I'm terrified to do this for fear I'll damage my sensor. But I'm thinking this probably isn't that hard. Suggestions please.

http://www.cleaningdigitalcameras.com

https://photosol.com

The first link takes you to a guide to cleaning dSLR and Mirrorless camera sensors.

The second site takes you to the source of the cleaning supplies I use.

I've cleaned many sensors. It's an easy procedure, but you must pay attention and use a gentle touch. Sometimes, dust can be stuck on pretty firmly, so you have to clean multiple times. Have plenty of options on hand. Start with a blower bulb to knock off grit and surface dust. End with wet cleaning (purified methanol on a lab-grade, lint-free swab) if needed. That usually removes oil, grease, and stuck-on goo.

MOST important is to cap your camera body when no lens is attached, AVOID changing lenses outdoors or in dusty, windy environments, DISCHARGE yourself of static before changing lenses or starting a cleaning, and never re-use a swab on a sensor.

zug55 Loc: Naivasha, Kenya, and Austin, Texas

I have been using the VSGO sensor cleaning kit on my two Sony mirrorless bodies. Tony Northrup has a great little video where he shows the procedure. It is very simple. I have done this a number of times myself, without problems.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAiTy3qGg2Y

I use my rocket blower on my sensor after each use, before I put the camera away. This greatly minimizes the need for a wet cleaning.

ELNikkor

Others have done it and survived, and you are at least as good as they are; go for it! (Also, this was my advice to myself as I contemplated marriage...)

PhotogHobbyist Loc: Bradford, PA

I was a bit reluctant to use a sensor cleaner but after watching a couple You-Tube videos, tried it and it was/is very easy. I got a VSGO kit through Amazon and it worked wonderfully. Reasonable price and will provide enough swabs and fluid for several cleanings.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

CHG_CANON wrote:

A wet clean may be needed for a dirty camera that has never been cleaned before. But, if you start with a 'clean' (or new) sensor, a Rocket Blower may be all you ever need, if used periodically.

An exercise in sensor cleaning

Wrong.