Next best alternative to cleaning sensor (other than Rocket blower)?

Hi guys,

What would you recommend for cleaning the sensor on my 6D? I have 2 very small strands of cotton/hair stuck on the sensor, and no matter how many times I use my Giottos blower (largest version) on it, it refuses to come off.

What is the next best (DRY) method to clean the sensor?

Otherwise, how much does it cost for Canon to clean the sensor (and also my lens) respectively?

My 24-70ii also got ruined by the fine sand when I visited the sand dunes last week. It seems to leave some fine scratches that I can't remove after blowing/cleaning with isopropyl alcohol.

the.forumer wrote in post #17727183
I have 2 very small strands of cotton/hair stuck on the sensor, and no matter how many times I use my Giottos blower (largest version) on it, it refuses to come off.

What is the next best (DRY) method to clean the sensor?

No need to send to Canon for any reason whatsoever. A quick wet clean is, of course, the best method (and can in no way result in a ruined sensor). However, if you are stuck on dry cleaning, then just go thru the process of a wet clean, but without any fluid. The sensor-sized swab should clear away the strands of cotton/hair, even if no fluid is used.

the.forumer wrote in post #17727183
My 24-70ii also got ruined by the fine sand when I visited the sand dunes last week. It seems to leave some fine scratches that I can't remove after blowing/cleaning with isopropyl alcohol.

Sounds like it didn't get ruined at all....it just got some scratches on it. Don't worry about the scratches - they don't and won't cause you any problems whatsoever.

I strongly recommend joining Canon Professional Services. For $100 a year, you can receive Complimentary Canon Maintenance Service on up to 5 items per year.

I just sent my 5D MKIII in on Monday via UPS and received it back on Friday (CPS also covers free return shipping). The sensor is completely clean and they also run through an 18-point cleaning and inspection. The camera came back as clean as it was when I first purchased it – viewfinder, sensor, mirrors, battery compartment, etc.

If you have a single strand of whatever on your sensor, then I would probably try to blow it off or gently remove it, but if you have sensor spots and dirt just send it in when you have some down time. It's really a great service.

VisibleDust Arctic Butterfly 724

the.forumer wrote in post #17727183
Hi guys,

What would you recommend for cleaning the sensor on my 6D? I have 2 very small strands of cotton/hair stuck on the sensor, and no matter how many times I use my Giottos blower (largest version) on it, it refuses to come off.

What is the next best (DRY) method to clean the sensor?

Otherwise, how much does it cost for Canon to clean the sensor (and also my lens) respectively?

Buy one of these, it'll last you a lifetime.
1. make sure your battery is full
2. lift the mirror (there's a sensor cleaning mode hidden in the camera's menu just for this)
3. grab a clean swab, put one or 2 drops of product on it, then swipe once from left to right then right to left, keeping the swab flat against the sensor. It's cut to the right size anyway, it's pretty straightforward. You don't need to push it hard against the sensor, just swipe.
4. see if you still have your hair problem (check that you didn't just push it to the edge of the sensor). If so, repeat.
5. lower mirror, let it dry for a few minutes

Alternatively, I cleaned my sensor once with burning alcohol and a Q-tip and it was fine.

Sensor gel stick is absolutely made for this situation. I use it after a wet clean to get rid of any residual bits of fluff from the pads. as well as any time I have non-stuck dust that whone come out with a blower.

A wet clean or even a pec-pad dry clean is great when something more 'gunky' is on the sensor.

Haven't tried the Arctic Butterfly though.

Eclipse and VisibleDust swabs.

ejenner wrote in post #17729493
Sensor gel stick is absolutely made for this situation. I use it after a wet clean to get rid of any residual bits of fluff from the pads. as well as any time I have non-stuck dust that whone come out with a blower.

Another vote for the gel stick. So simple to use. And works so well. I haven't had to wet clean since I got it.

Didn't see it mentioned here. I have read that if you use a rocket blower, it should be replaced every few years. Apparently the rubber begins to break down after time and if that happens, you can actually be blowing dust onto your sensor.

I use Eclipse solution and SensorSwabs, both from Photographic Solutions. For the 6D you'll need SensorSwab type 3.
Mike

rdalrt wrote in post #17729568
Another vote for the gel stick. So simple to use. And works so well. I haven't had to wet clean since I got it.

Agree. Just cleaned a 5D II and ID Mark IV with the gel stick. One and done, no repeating to get debris being pushed around the sensor.

Another vote for the gel stick!

wow, thanks for the overwhelming responses guys! I've decided to get the sensor swab off eBay (costs me only 3Usd for 6 sticks).

By the way, which gadget do you guys use to clean the viewfinder? Can I use the lens pen or the sensor swab? or is there another dedicated tool for the viewfinder?

Lick it

the.forumer wrote in post #17743660
wow, thanks for the overwhelming responses guys! I've decided to get the sensor swab off eBay (costs me only 3Usd for 6 sticks).

By the way, which gadget do you guys use to clean the viewfinder? Can I use the lens pen or the sensor swab? or is there another dedicated tool for the viewfinder?

I use a microPro from Lenspen. If you buy the Lenspen DSLR Pro Kit it comes with three 'pens': one for lenses, one for filters and one for viewfinders (LensPen, FilterKlear, and microPro, respectively).

Also, I'd be leery of buying elcheapo stuff off ewwBay: there's a lot of Sinojunk around that's likely to cause damage simply because it's not built to the same standards and with the same care as the reputable products. I'd rather pay 40 bucks for a 12-pack of VisibleDust swabs than risk totaling a ~$2000 camera by using a rough-fibre, sensor-scratching swab.