Sensor cleaning..............

[PrimeTime]

Anyone clean their own sensor? My sensor is filthy. Just got my cleaning supply's today, and i'm going to give it a go. I've never done it before, but i watched a couple videos on the net, and it looks easy enough. Any advice, from those that have done it?

[RexK_Cozumel]

I always clean my own sensors. It is not difficult. Just make sure that you lock the mirror up so that it does not shut on you. And if you can get a cleaning kit that will allow you to clean the whole sensor in one swipe otherwise you will have to worry about streaks.

[PrimeTime]

Originally Posted by RexK_Cozumel

I always clean my own sensors. It is not difficult. Just make sure that you lock the mirror up so that it does not shut on you. And if you can get a cleaning kit that will allow you to clean the whole sensor in one swipe otherwise you will have to worry about streaks.

I had to order the premoisted swabs,because our great government thinks a 1/2 oz bottle of cleaning solution is too dangerous to ship in the mail. I'm not shure if they are the exact size of the sensor or not. I also got a lens pen for sensors incase i get a streak.

What i have is sensor swab/premoistened with eclipse for type 2 sensors.

[sk66]

I'm curious about the lens pen for sensors. I use the swabs but the pen caught my eye at the store....Seems like the sensor should already be "clean" before using one, but then what's the point?

[RexK_Cozumel]

I have never used the lens pen for a sensor before... I use a disposable one swipe swab. basically one side is wet other is dry. what I do is swab the wet side across the sensor left to right then dry left to right then wet side again right to left then dry right to left. But like I said you have to make sure you get swabs that will cover the entire sensor in one swipe.

**EDIT**
Oh and I like to use the disposable swabs even though the cost is a little more because I dont have to worry about them being dirty and scratching the filter over the sensor. Just use and throw away.

[PrimeTime]

Originally Posted by sk66

I'm curious about the lens pen for sensors. I use the swabs but the pen caught my eye at the store....Seems like the sensor should already be "clean" before using one, but then what's the point?

Clean from surface dust, but moisture causes smudges. Which is what i have on my sensor. The other reason i got it, is to get ride of any streaking from the sensor wipe. It also is triangular shaped to get into the corners better.

[Jim Poor]

I use the sensor pens (lens pens before someone decided to make them smaller and call them sensor pens) for anything that can't be removed with a rocket blower.

Easier and safer than any wet method IMO and wet methods should really be a last resort. Since I switched to the pens, I've not used any wet cleaning methods on any of my sensors.

I shoot in dust, sand and rain quite often and put anywhere from 25k-40k clicks on a single body nearly every weekend doing events. I clean my sensors about once a month.

Originally Posted by sk66

I'm curious about the lens pen for sensors. I use the swabs but the pen caught my eye at the store....Seems like the sensor should already be "clean" before using one, but then what's the point?

[sk66]

Originally Posted by Jim Poor

I use the sensor pens (lens pens before someone decided to make them smaller and call them sensor pens) for anything that can't be removed with a rocket blower.

Easier and safer than any wet method IMO and wet methods should really be a last resort. Since I switched to the pens, I've not used any wet cleaning methods on any of my sensors.

I shoot in dust, sand and rain quite often and put anywhere from 25k-40k clicks on a single body nearly every weekend doing events. I clean my sensors about once a month.

That sounds great! (field expedient too!)
Do you use the brush/blower first? (I've had the brush loose a bristle or 2)

[Jim Poor]

I use the rocket blower first. I never get anywhere near the inside of the camera with the brush.

[navcom]

Originally Posted by sk66

That sounds great! (field expedient too!)
Do you use the brush/blower first? (I've had the brush loose a bristle or 2)

Yikes! Brush! I don't think this is such a good idea. Bristles scratch your sensor.