Sensor cleaning for DIY'ers

Dear Board,

I own a 20D, 40D, and 1DMK2. While the degrees of filth vary they all need the sensor cleaned.

I am hoping that some one can recommend a kit or source for a kit that will allow me to do the job myself?

Regards,

Tim Murphy

Copper Hill.

I've been happy with the kits and components from Copper Hill Images (copperhillimages.com)

This might be a good read for you.

http://www.cleaningdig​italcameras.com

I have found the DigiPads and Eclipse fluid to be good - available on E Bay and reasonably priced.

Dear LJ3 and Seres,

The Copper Hill products look intriguing and come with a web tutorial. That should work for me, but I'll keep following the thread.


Thank you,

Tim Murphy

I have also used copper hill products through the years. I'm still on my first bundle of pads too.

I have tried many different cleaning systems. While wet cleaning may occasionally be necessary, I have found the sensor gel stick to be absolutely the easiest most effective method I have ever used. It just works. And so simple. Makes sensor cleaning a 30 sec. job. https://photographylif​e.com/product/sensor-gel-stick

rdalrt wrote in post #17420844
I have tried many different cleaning systems. While wet cleaning may occasionally be necessary, I have found the sensor gel stick to be absolutely the easiest most effective method I have ever used. It just works. And so simple. Makes sensor cleaning a 30 sec. job. https://photographylif​e.com/product/sensor-gel-stick

I hadn't heard of this product. It looks great! Much easier than Copper Hill. I plan to order one and give it a try. Thanks for the info.

Gel stick is great. I'm so glad someone posted that a while back. Soo much quicker if you just have some dust to remove. But if your sensor is really dirty, I would use Copperhill first - do a wet clean and then use the gel stick to get an fluff/dust left.

Good info here, thanks, I'm ordering some gel sticks.

No matter what you do, when anything is going to touch the sensor, there is a potential chance of scratching the pre-sensor filter. I am very careful, yet did that and wont feel shame to admit...if it is to save you a bigger pain than dust particles!

Your best bet is Rocket type blowers that offers low pressure air flow or better vacuum if you use the second part of action in relation to sensor and surprisingly it is very effective for a lot of situations. But then be aware of brush, pad etc.

Canon used to do a free courtesy sensor cleaning (Minus shipping, or totally free if you could leave it at their facility and pick it up few hours later) that was very nice of them and a good opportunity to add all the firmware etc but for past several years they have stopped offering that and seems there is a charge of about $30 or more for that. I guess any other manufacturer that like to peak a large number of devotee, may want to follow that policy or at least a Kia type 10 years free service. Nikon, Sony are you listening??

samsen wrote in post #17421062
No matter what you do, when anything is going to touch the sensor, there is a potential chance of scratching the pre-sensor filter. I am very careful, yet did that and wont feel shame to admit...if it is to save you a bigger pain than dust particles!

Your best bet is Rocket type blowers that offers low pressure air flow or better vacuum if you use the second part of action in relation to sensor and surprisingly it is very effective for a lot of situations. But then be aware of brush, pad etc.

Rocket blowers and vacuums are extremely effective but they do not remove bonded particles such as pollen which require a more aggressive approach such as wet or gel cleaning, etc. Not everyone can do without their camera while a 3rd party cleans the sensor and low pass filters are far more robust than cleaning services that charge a fee would have you believe. When using a product designed specifically to clean the low pass filter one would have to be seriously unfortunate or involved in misuse to cause any damage.

Thanks everyone for the recommendations. I tie fishing flies and I still have a pretty steady hand so I will give this a try myself. I also have access to a quality desk lamp with a magnifying lens so that should help me as well. I'll use the rocket blower first and take a test shot afterwards to see if further cleaning is required and then proceed with care and caution from there.

Regards,

Tim Murphy

jtmiv wrote in post #17421610
Thanks everyone for the recommendations. I tie fishing flies and I still have a pretty steady hand so I will give this a try myself. I also have access to a quality desk lamp with a magnifying lens so that should help me as well. I'll use the rocket blower first and take a test shot afterwards to see if further cleaning is required and then proceed with care and caution from there.

Regards,

Tim Murphy

Tim. Fellow fly tier and angler here. You're good to go with your eyes closed!