LensPen SensorKlear - Low Budget Sensor Cleaning

[Cujo_34]

Background Information:
I recently took a 16 day trip semi-backpacking through Egypt. The air and environment caused some havoc on the 20D I brought and a lot of dirt and dust made its way inside the camera. The shots later in the trip show this off extremely. I needed to clean the sensor but not having done it before (don't judge) I didn't quite know the steps to take. I reviewed some products online and also checked out some local stores for what they had in stock. Locally I was only able to find a LensPen SensorKlear (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000I30HOS?ie=UTF8&tag=curoneipho-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000I30HOS). I was unsure of this method so went back online to research the cleaning a bit more. The most commonly suggested method seemed to be the use of a solution (Eclipse, etc) and swabs or pec*pads all of which I would have to order in. I went the way of the LensPen SensorKlear (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000I30HOS?ie=UTF8&tag=curoneipho-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000I30HOS) as I needed a quicker option for some quick shoots I had to do and to see if it actually worked.

The Review:
As mentioned above I have never cleaned a sensor before. I have only ever used a Rocket Blower (href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0013J0502?ie=UTF8&tag=curoneipho-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0013J0502) on one. When trying to find proof of a SensorKlear (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000I30HOS?ie=UTF8&tag=curoneipho-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000I30HOS) working by searching Google I wasn't getting many hits so I was still semi-reluctant in trying it out.

First shot of the dust and dirt when returning from Egypt:
http://curtoneil.com/misc/lenspen/lenspen-1.jpg

As you can see there was quite a bit there. I used a Rocket Blower (href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0013J0502?ie=UTF8&tag=curoneipho-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0013J0502) and was able to use the camera for one shoot as a backup but was really reluctant in using it and shot only about 5 photos with it.

Last night I finally decided to attempt the LensPen SensorKlear (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000I30HOS?ie=UTF8&tag=curoneipho-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000I30HOS) method.

Here is how the shot looks before cleaning (sorry about quality of the shot I was working quick):
http://curtoneil.com/misc/lenspen/lenspen-2.jpg

Circled are a couple of the main spots on the frame. The spec in the centre is actually dirt on my wall and will be noticeable in the final shot as well. As you can see just the Rocket Blower (href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0013J0502?ie=UTF8&tag=curoneipho-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0013J0502) cleared out a lot of the general debris that was inside the camera - the spots were still noticeable on shots however.

I was not working in a dust free/clean area - I attempted everything in my dining room. For cleaning with the SensorKlear (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000I30HOS?ie=UTF8&tag=curoneipho-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000I30HOS) I first used the Rocker Blower (href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0013J0502?ie=UTF8&tag=curoneipho-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0013J0502) another time to get any loose debris currently inside out, rubbed the SensorKlear (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000I30HOS?ie=UTF8&tag=curoneipho-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000I30HOS) across the glass from left to right, top to bottom. Rubbed a bit more in the corners. Used the Rocket Blower (href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0013J0502?ie=UTF8&tag=curoneipho-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0013J0502) one more time and that was it. The whole process probably took me about 1 or 2 minutes and that included opening the package for the SensorKlear (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000I30HOS?ie=UTF8&tag=curoneipho-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000I30HOS).

Here are the results with the circles in almost the exact same place as the previous shot. As you can see it removed the dust spots that were most visible. There are still a couple on there (as well as the spec on my wall) so I will try it one more time to get the rest of the spots off.
http://curtoneil.com/misc/lenspen/lenspen-3.jpg

As someone who has not done this before and was not sure exactly how to go about doing it the LensPen SensorKlear (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000I30HOS?ie=UTF8&tag=curoneipho-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000I30HOS) seemed to work perfectly. It cost me $20 CDN from my local shop but can be found cheaper online.

The SensorKlear (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000I30HOS?ie=UTF8&tag=curoneipho-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000I30HOS) has a limited life of approximately 100 uses so after you get up there in use it might be time to go out and purchase a new one. Also after each use you are told to twist the cap a couple of times - this I believe brushes the dirt off that was smeared onto the tip of the pen as well as applies the carbon that is inside the lid which aids in its cleaning.

LensPen SensorKlear (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000I30HOS?ie=UTF8&tag=curoneipho-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000I30HOS) is available for $9.95 USD from Amazon.com

Rocket Blower (href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0013J0502?ie=UTF8&tag=curoneipho-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0013J0502) is available for $8.60 USD from Amazon.com.

*note all links are affiliate links to Amazon

[TaDa]

Just something to keep in mind with a sensor pen, it cannot be cleaned, so once you use it a certain amount of times, you're going to need to replace it so that you're not just moving dust from one side of the AA filter to the other. But I agree, it's a great tool.

[pturton]

I cut up a regular Lenspen to make my own sensor cleaner a couple years before Lenspen released their pen for sensor cleaning. It works well and seems to make the sensor's surface less prone to dust collection.

Lenspen in Ontario is about $19.95 last I checked. I must remember to pick one up from B&H when I order my 1D Mk IV.

Rectal Syringe about $7.00 from any pharmacy. It really blows the crap off the lens or sensor. :-)

[chris maddock]

I get my Lenspens for sensor cleaning from Art Morris (http://www.birdsasart.com/lenspens.htm). At $29 for two, one large & one small, that's not far off what I'd have to pay over here in good old Blighty, it's $28 to Canada according to the site.

Rectal Syringe about $7.00 from any pharmacy. It really blows the crap off the lens or sensor. :-)
Sounds like a product that really lives up to its name ;-)

[Cujo_34]

Thanks for the responses guys. I forgot to mention the limited life on it - I believe the packaging states 100 uses. I also forgot to mention the twisting of the cap. I'll add it in up top.