An apology and clarification

As most of you know, there has been a video of a particular sensor cleaning method posted here several times. It was made by Roger C. of www.LensRentals.com and I have been as subtle with my criticism as a Milwaukee SawzAll. But after exchanging a few emails with Roger, I now realize that both of us are very close in our appoach to sensor cleaning.

I had no basis to doubt the number of sensors he has worked on, especially given the excellent reputation his rental business has on the internet and in the business. And I had no basis to question the success rate of his cleaning operations. As I explained here and to him personally, there are a gazillion sensor cleaning videos on YouTube with a gazillion experts hosting each one. The vast majority of them are total hogwash/BS with the sole purpose to sell the viewer a product or service and I simply lumped this particular one in with these pure farces. I firmly believe Roger has no such ulterior motive for his video. It is beautifully filmed and produced and he should be proud of it and I hope he accepts my apology for my excessive critique.

All of that being said, I now realize that our differences were trivial and even minuscule. Here are the 2 points:

1) When someone brings me a D-SLR to be cleaned, I first ask if it has ever been cleaned or when the last cleaning took place. If it was over 3 months prior, then there is a tremendous chance that there is lubricant on the sensor. This scenario inclines me to use a wet-method first to get this lube off. Roger's video is sort of reverse, but I now know that he doesn't shy away from wet-cleaning, he simply uses the dry tools first and the wet tools only when he deems necessary. I told him that this position could have been explained a little better, but, hey, it really is a minuscule point.

2) Adhesives - I have never liked them and will never like them and using them after a static brush still does seem redundant. But if it works for Roger's protocol, then who am I to argue with success? I think a tool that runs rings around adhesives is the SensorKlear; not only can it pick up loose dust, it can also dislodge semi-stuck on particles. Many professionals use the pen exclusively on their sensors. When I clean my sensor, I first do the methanol, then follow with a brush, if necessary, then follow with the SensorKlear around the edges, if neccesary again. The pen has a pointed tip which allows me to get right up to the sidewalls, it is a very precise instrument.

I hope this clarifies my position and I will strive mightily to make future discussions as amicable as possible.

Thanks for your time.
Nicholas
http://www.copperhilli​mages.com/index.php?pr​=galleries

Nicholas R. wrote in post #12468541
...

I hope this clarifies my position and I will strive mightily to make future discussions as amicable as possible. ...

That's good to hear.
To be so hardline on your opinions without regard for others is pretty juvenile, so I for one am glad you realize this.

Now let's see it in practice for future posts

I just want to chime in that after talking with Nicholas I realize we're seeing a different situation than most people: we inspect and clean sensors after every rental, so once a week or so. It makes sense that in that situation we can usually get by with blowing or brushing and leave wet cleaning as a reserve for the difficult sensors.

Looking at a camera's sensor every week or so it's likely that we get by with less intensive cleaning than most people who only clean their sensor when it needs it. That type of cleaning probably is going to be more intensive than our routine and far more likely to need more intensive help.

And please don't take me the wrong way: I'm not advocating cleaning weekly, we just have to because we never know which camera is going to come back filthy. On a difficult cleaning we use wet methods too, but cleaning so often we often don't have to. But I want to echo what Nicholas said, when we discussed it, we really are doing the same thing.


Roger

Hey Roger, . . it's always fun to see you stop by (I just gotta say this as a long time mono-satisfied customer) LensRentals.com Rocks!

ALSO: I have been laughing, learning, . . and just plain enjoying your brilliant essays for many moons, . . you sir, are truly "the photographers friend."

I have been especially enjoying your latest series on the history/development of photography ~ great story and (as always) GREAT story telling, . . Well done Sir, . . take a bow.

Sincerely,

Doc. Paradox