Sensor dirt/smudge (5d)

Was out shooting in the White Mountains this past weekend and noticed a smudge on my photos- see upper center of photo below. I can see the smudge on the sensor, too. Blower did not work as it is wet and not dust. I am going to clean the sensor today. Would the Photographic solutions swabs be the best approach? Thanks.

Yes. I have been using sensor swabs for about 6 years and they are the ones I use. The new pre-moistened ones look nice but are way too expensive for me. Expect to use 2 or 3 swabs your first time and then maybe 1 or 2 in the future.

A 12 pack of these with fluid should last you a year or more: http://www.photosol.co​m …tegories.asp?id​Category=4 $55 for 4-5 cleanings. Not a bad deal.

The trick is to not demand 100% clean (ie... f22 shots of a clear blue sky, with autolevels in Photoshop) because after a day you sensor will not be 100% clean anyways.

John

I've been using Sensor swabs and Eclipse liquid. I bought a 12 pack of swabs 8 years ago and still have a couple left. I only had to swab my old 10D a few times a year.

I've had my 7D for a little over a year now and I've never had to swab it.

Thanks guys, got a twelve pack of Photographics Solutions swabs and the Eclipse cleaner. Did the wet clean and it was much easier than I thought. Looks perfectly clean now.