sensor cleaning

[Tom Rambaut]

I'm heading out to the desert at the end of June for a couple of weeks. Think red dust and lots of it.

I have never cleaned a sensor and would like it if people could give some advise. While I going to try to keep the gear out of the dust this stuff is fine stuff and gets into everything.

What is the best way to deal with this issue.

Thanks Tom

[Roger Clark]

Hi Tom,

First step is use methods of changing lenses that minimizes dust getting into the camera. Here is my article on the subject:
http://www.clarkvision.com/articles/...anging.lenses/

I carry a sensor pen and a rocket blower. In 10+ years of owning/using over a dozen DSLRs, I have never had to use a sensor pen, or any liquid cleaning agent, and I have worked in very very dusty conditions, from the southwest US to the Serengeti. It is rare that I get a dust spec on a sensor. For example, 2 weeks in the Serengeti last February with 2 DSLRs, I got only one dust spec that was visible in any image on one sensor the entire trip. it was easily bowln off with a rocket blower.

For blowing off the sensor, I put the camera in sensor clean mode, hold the camera open end down and use the rocket blower to blow out dust. Loosened dust will tend to fall down out if the camera, assisted by the blowing air.

I never worry about dust, and change lenses/TCs as needed, even in dusty environments.

Roger

[Tom Rambaut]

Thanks Roger - very helpful.

I will get a rocket blower soon and will not touch the sensor as such.

Thanks again

[Doug Brown]

Cleaning the sensor is no big deal with a sensor pen. Definitely a nice thing to have in the field, and almost zero weight/size penalty.

[Ed Cordes]

I have tired almost every method. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. The newer self cleaning sensors have made it a lot easier and less critical. However, I recently bought the LensPen Sensor Loupe and LensPen SensorKlear II. This lets me see the dust and gently remove it if a simple blow with the rocket blower doesn't get it. BTW, I also change lenses in a manner similar to Roger.