Sensor Cleaning

Who has experience cleaning the sensor on their DSLR? Would you care to share what you used and learned?

That would be about 90% of the people here. The first lesson is that the Sensor Clean function isn't accessable when you're in the "Basic Zone". Second lesson is that "Sensor Clean" only uncovers the sensor so that you can clean it.

Most people prefer to use a Giottos Rocket Blower to blow the dust off the sensor, at least as a first cut. If that doesn't work, they'll move on to either the CopperHill or Eclipse/Sensor Swab route. I use Eclipse and Sensor Swabs myself, if the blower doesn't do the job.

I have cleaned mine with both a rocket blower and with sensor swabs and eclipse solution. Both are very easy , Start with the blower, lock up the mirror, and give the sensor a couple of good puffs. Check it out and you have a high probability of having knocked of the little buggers. I do this maybe once a month. If you need to use a wet system, just follow the direction that come with the wet system you choose and you cant go wrong. I have used the wet system twice. There really is no magic, just be neat and gentle. Don't use canned air, qtips, or commercial window cleaner as these may have stuff that will leave streaks making a bigger mess than you had before.

The best resource on this subject (so far).

http://www.cleaningdig​italcameras.com/

Check this out. Scroll down the page and there is a video that demonstrates the procedure and ease of wet and dry cleaning the sensor, should you find that a Rocket Blower does not do the trick.

http://visibledust.com​/

As Jon says. about 90% of us have possibly done a sensor clean on a regular basis. My only advice is; read and follow the instructions very carefully. Once the mirror is locked for the cleaning operation, keep your fingers well away from any of your camera's buttons.
Best wishes,

Thank you, people. I mostly wanted to see how often you cleaned them and with what.

See now. Dirty sensors is a problem I never had with my old film stuff.

I use a Rocket Blower once a week. Works great.

20droger wrote in post #2444112
Thank you, people. I mostly wanted to see how often you cleaned them and with what.

See now. Dirty sensors is a problem I never had with my old film stuff.

In old film stuff times cameras sensor was replaced with the brand new one after every shot..

But you still had to clean the chamber lest you get a scratch running the length of the roll.

I have cleaned mine quite a few times now with no problems using both wet and blower methods. Using a tripod to hold the camera for you is a great idea.

Jon wrote in post #2444402
But you still had to clean the chamber lest you get a scratch running the length of the roll.

Very true! a grain of sand lodged in the film plate can produce color with B&W film. The color is blue, and usually eminates vocally from the darkroom.

Me: "Can you say "@&&%!!# (INVALID EMAIL)" on this site?"
Mod: "Only if you leave out the '%'."

http://www.tribcsp.com​/~sigma2/SensorDust01.​html

Hi Glenn, Thanks for your fascinating tutorial on your method of Sensor Cleaning.
It certainly is less expensive than the £50 that I pay for Swabs and Cleaning fluid. So why pay this money while you still have breath in your body?
Best wishes,

Oh man, breath and a Q-tip.... Not on my camera. I mean, you just plopped down maybe $1000 bucks on a camera and your going to use a Q-tip. A cleaning kit is somewhere from $20 to $50 and will last the life of the camera even if you clean monthly. Sure you can fog the mirror and wipe it with a q-tip in an emergency, but it is prone to streaks, might lead to micro scratches, and will not get it as spotless as a good pec-pad. Don't do it.