Cleaning Kit from Copper Hill / Review

[NaturesPixel]

I was fortunate enough to get a Cleaning Kit from Copper Hill (http://www.copperhillimages.com/index.php?pr=products)
which was sorely needed as my sensor was filled with micro dust bunnies...
see photo below.. Click to view on large :)

Exposure 1/20
Aperture f29
Focal 70mm

http://static.flickr.com/124/384528919_3b8643cf40.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/naturespixel/384528919/)

The kit comes with everything needed Pec pads, eclipse formula, sensor swipe and well written instructions with images
http://static.flickr.com/128/361931817_dc0b2ce12a.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/naturespixel/361931817/)


Before you get started, make sure you have a clean area and good lighting I used my 2 daylight lamps that I have for use with my light tent. This helps make sure you don't stick the swipe where it shouldn't go.
It works by wrapping the sensor swipe with a Pec Pad placing 2 small drops of Eclipse liquid on the pad on the very tips
Next, you lock open your mirror and remove your lens. Then wipe the sensor in one direction in one direction in a semi slow motion and without lifting the swipe, wipe in the other direction.

Because I had a bad infestation of Dust Bunnies, I had to do this a few times to got rid of them all. You must use a clean Pec Pad each time other wise you are just moving the bunny colony around.


You can see the end results in the photo below

Exposure 1/30
Aperture f29
Focal 59mm

http://static.flickr.com/173/384529197_d19b16e395.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/naturespixel/384529197/)


I would certainly never send my camera off to the manufactures for 90$ CND to get cleaned now after seeing how simple it is. I know I was a nervous wreck before attempting this as I had read that some people have ruined their sensors. You are not going to ruin it if you are careful to only swipe the sensor and use the same amount of force you would as if writing with a pencil.

All up I give this a 4 out of 5 Pixels!!

[jiminyClickit]

NaturesPixel,

Thought my browser was broken when I saw these on your flickr site.

[mdwsta4]

i dont think i need to write up a review, but i second the above made comments. i couldn't have been happier with my copper hill cleaning kit. once you've had your camera long enough you will inevitably get dust spots. i'm not a fan of blowers and you will eventually find dust spots that cannot be removed with these. the copper hill kit comes with everything you need and their directions are top notch (even if they do make it sound more complicated than it actually is). definitely worth the money and now my sensor is always spotless.

[Digidave]

Nice review! Would anybody recommend the sensor sweeper brush? Would it just be a waste of money? I guess I'm just thinking about maybe giving it a dry sweep every now & then for general maintainence.

[Nicole]

Digidave- Watch for a review of the sensor sweeper brush sometime in the next 24 hours (hopefully)... it's coming as soon as I get moving :p

There is now a review (http://digital-photography-school.com/forum/showthread.php?p=8769#post8769) of the Sensor Sweep kit by Copper Hill.

[RandomConnections]

"Stiff drink not included"

I love their marketing!

[Bail]

I'm going to give this a try. I spending more time photoshopping out dust then working on the photo. My nearest photography store wants $40 and my camera for 3 days.

100 Cleanings for $30 is not bad at all. That would be 30 cents per cleaning.

Edit: There is a place that sells cheaper and includes more items then just the pec-pad, Swab and solution.
It comes with Pec-Pads, Sensor Wand, Solution, Wipes, Low Lint Cotton Tipped Applicator and ChamberSwab

https://www.micro-tools.com/store/item_detail.aspx?ItemCode=DIGI-KIT4-F
(For the EOS-20D)

[smc1377]

I'm going to give this a try. I spending more time photoshopping out dust then working on the photo. My nearest photography store wants $40 and my camera for 3 days.

100 Cleanings for $30 is not bad at all. That would be 30 cents per cleaning.

Edit: There is a place that sells cheaper and includes more items then just the pec-pad, Swab and solution.
It comes with Pec-Pads, Sensor Wand, Solution, Wipes, Low Lint Cotton Tipped Applicator and ChamberSwab

https://www.micro-tools.com/store/item_detail.aspx?ItemCode=DIGI-KIT4-F
(For the EOS-20D)

Careful. In a previous thread, I mentioned that "other" site as well and Nicholas from Copper Hill came onto this site accusing me of all sorts of crap.

http://digital-photography-school.com/forum/showthread.php?t=304

Read it for yourself and be sure to read how my 2 sentence comment at post #10 caused him to accuse me of having an axe to grind and intentionally trying to mislead others on this site. His comments start on page 2 and is all that I ever need to know about him and his company to make my decision on whether or not to ever buy from Copper Hill Images.

Like you, I was just trying to be helpful to other members of this site by pointing out another site that had basically the same kit for less and all I got in return was a lot of grief.

In fairness, he did PM me an apology explaining some history behind his emotions.

[Bail]

Oh man... I got my stuff in today. Oh so worth the money. No matter where you buy it from.

I wish I took a before picture. But here is the after. It only took a couple min to do.

[smc1377]

Yeah, it's definitely worth it. It took me about 5 times before I could completely clear out all the dust that was in mine. One day, it was just infested with dust. I was almost afraid that I was damaging the sensor cause it *looked* like I was just moving dust back and forth. It all eventually came up.

But like you said. No matter who you buy it from, just get the PecPads, the Eclipse Solution and some sort of sensorwand.

[Digidave]

Did you get the Rainbow colored slinky? I did & it's a piece of junk!:mad: It's an advertising gimmick & for the life of me I don't know why they sent it. I already bought the stuff!!! Oh well, I'll give it as a present for a birthday or Christmas. Hey Nicole, when's your birthday again!?:D

[Bail]

Did you get the Rainbow colored slinky? I did & it's a piece of junk!:mad: It's an advertising gimmick & for the life of me I don't know why they sent it. I already bought the stuff!!! Oh well, I'll give it as a present for a birthday or Christmas. Hey Nicole, when's your birthday again!?:D

Hahah, No... I got candy instead.

[smc1377]

I got candy as well. Ate them all too.

[Nicole]

Did you get the Rainbow colored slinky? I did & it's a piece of junk!:mad: It's an advertising gimmick & for the life of me I don't know why they sent it. I already bought the stuff!!! Oh well, I'll give it as a present for a birthday or Christmas. Hey Nicole, when's your birthday again!?:D

lol Dave, don't you know you're not supposed to tell people you're gonna re-gift things? ;)