Confession Time...I've never cleaned a digital camera sensor

[CRAusmus]

However, today I saw this... https://www.massdrop.com/buy/lenspen-sensorklear-loupe-kit (link to Massdrop sale).

 

Wondering if anyone has any experience with this company, model, method; or if you have suggestions for what you have used successfully.  What's your method, or who just waits for their local Camera Expos when companies clean them for free?  

Edited May 13, 2016 by CRAusmus

[Aswald]

It's LensPen SensorKlear kit. I used this to clean Canon 5D, Nikon D7000, D800 and XPro1 successfully.

 

I usually start cleaning my sensors if there are more than 10 specks. After cleaning it's zero spots.

 

Of all my cameras, the D7000 was the worse after 5k actuations. More than 30 specks.

 

Here's are some tips I found useful.

 

Blow gently into sensor with blower brush. Sensor face down and blower face up. Give good clearance between sensor and blower. Blower tip does NOT need to be in sensor chanber.

Spot clean the dust specks with the lenspen before attempting to wipe the whole sensor

Try to Lift speck rather than wipe off. A combination works best.

Clean lenspen after every successful dust speck cleaning or as often as possible. Clean tip by replacing cap and twist cap once or twice.

 

Check with illuminated loupe after all the spots are done. Take test shots. You may not need to go further.

 

If test shots shows specks, return and repeat procedure. You may give the sensor an overall wipe if you wish at the end. Make sure your lenspen is cleaned first..

 

Very light pressure is needed most times as the dust are usually not embedded. I don't even grip the pen, I just hold it very lightly with my thumb and index finger.

 

I have never needed wet cleaning.

 

It sounds daunting but it's rather easy. I bought an extra lenspen but have never needed it. The one in the kit is still cleaning effectively.

 

I was told the active cleaning surface of the lenspen is made of some kind of chamois. It's perfectly safe.

 

Good luck and have fun.

Edited May 14, 2016 by Aswald

[erwiurewurwehu]

However, today I saw this... https://www.massdrop.com/buy/lenspen-sensorklear-loupe-kit (link to Massdrop sale).

 

Wondering if anyone has any experience with this company, model, method; or if you have suggestions for what you have used successfully.  What's your method, or who just waits for their local Camera Expos when companies clean them for free?  

I have a similar loupe http://www.amazon.com/Carson-Camera-Sensor-Magnifier-SM-44/dp/B0091SS310?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage and it's useful. I often don't need to use any other tool to clean the sensor but just use an air blower again.

 

It's also very useful to remove splinters from skin :-). Seriously!

[darknj]

When traveling, I carry around some of those easy to use cleaning sticks that comes with pre-hydrated swabs and use them only when I really have to. 

Otherwise I just go to my regular shop and have them do it for me.

 

If things mess up, at least I didn't do it and the shop have insurance for these kind of incidents.

Edited May 17, 2016 by darknj