Sensor cleaning

Pre-made sensor swabs end up being quite expensive compared to using pecwipes and a sensor wand. You can get the wand kits here http://www.cameraclean.co.uk/acatalog/Sensor_Wand_Cleaning_Kits.html

Thanks for pointing that out, Rob. I may try them myself!

Paul

Cheers Paul, Just ordered some swabs from Warehouse Express and nipping down to Tesco later for the Brillo Pads.

All the best

Si

Ahh yes, the old wire brush method. Brillo pads work superbly, they’re a bit softer than the wire brush. I recommend them!

AHEM… Sensor Swabs have been the only real way to go for me as far as sensor cleaning is concerned and Warehouse Express usually stock them. It’s a little daunting the first time you stick that bit of plastic inside your mirror box, but there really is nothing to it and it is very effective. I usually swab my 30D around every three months and find the considerable time I save getting rid of dust spots on my images can be spent doing other, more worthwhile things like drinking, sleeping, etc. 😀

One thing… If you do order some, be sure to order the correct size for your camera. The swabs for the Canon APS-C sensors are the same as the Nikon DX-format, so either will work for your camera.

Hope that helps, Si!

Paul

Thanks for the advice Michael mcr

I have a 350d and have noticed some dust speckles on the sensor. I just wondered the best way to clean them off. Has anyone used a sensor cleaning kit before, and was it effective?
Regards N Darby
www.ndimages.fotopic.net

Sensor cleaning kits are really no different to any other lens cleaning kit – they consist of a safe, alchohol-based cleaner and some soft swabs. dont believe any claims for “magical” ones.

When you clean the sensor on a 300 / 350D, you are actually cleaning the glass filter pate that is in front of the sensor, so you can be as bold and rough as you would with a lens or filter and it should clean up quite nicely.

First port of call, however, is to remove the lens – hold the camera face down with the mirror locked up – then use a puffer brush “up its throat”. This quite often shifts any specks as they get dislodged by the blast of air and fall downwards and out.

If the specks are resistant to both puffer brush and moist swabs, then wrap some paper lens cleaning cloth around a stiff piece of plastic sheet (like a small credit card) – moisten the paper cloth with lens cleaner and then gently scrape the same way you would get ice off a car window.

I have a problem with my 300D, in that it cleans up well but there is one speck of dust which is behind the glass filter and so wont budge and will have to stay there until i send the camera in for service – fortunately it is quite a small speck and in one corner, so i just photoshop it away..