Sensor Dust

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Pretzel

Senior Member
So... while snapping pics of some STUNNING sunsets and beach skies, I noticed the dreaded "dust spots of doom". Same place every time, small round spots (easily removed in PS CC, btw) and irritating.

I have NEVER cleaned my sensor before, but am willing to give it a go, but I'm wondering... How often are these dust specks resolved just by using a rocket blower alone? I'd hope for that to be the easiest solution, at least.

Other than that, I've read the other recent thread, watched the tutorial video, and I'm willing to give it a shot. Any last second tips?

EDIT: Just gave it about 8-10 blasts with the rocket blower, and the specks are still there, so it's definitely going to need a wet cleaning.
 
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Krs_2007

Senior Member
The two biggies that stick out to me, take your time and dont use too much of the cleaning solution.

The blower has worked for me so try that first but make sure you hold it upside down, I'm sure you already knew that.
 
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PapaST

Senior Member
I second the "don't use too much solution". The streaks can be more irritating than the dust spots. I'd venture to say that one drop could do the whole swab but I've seen some that say two. I typically use one.

I've heard promising things about the eyelead sensor gel stick. It's a dry clean and I've read it's what they use at Leica and possibly others (Canon and Nikon) but I never verified. They seem hard to come by. I ordered one and it had to come from overseas with ship dates ranging in the 10-12 days. But I got mine relatively quick. Good luck.
 
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photogramps

Senior Member
PapaST said:
I've heard promising things about the eyelead sensor gel stick. It's a dry clean and I've read it's what they use at Leica and possibly others (Canon and Nikon) but I never verified. They seem hard to come by. I ordered one and it had to come from overseas with ship dates ranging in the 10-12 days. But I got mine relatively quick. Good luck.
Click to expand...

It works very well, and is a lot less stressful to contemplate than a wet clean (though I've done it) :)
 
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Lee532

Senior Member
Rocket blower normally works but I have just had to do my first ever wet clean on my D610, first attempt made it worse! A couple more goes and I got it sorted.
I followed the instructions in the kit I bought which stated "4-7 drops of cleaning fluid." Aaaagh the smears were awful! Tried again with 2 drops and got great results. I will not be afraid to do it again.
 
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Blacktop

Senior Member
Pretzel said:
So... while snapping pics of some STUNNING sunsets and beach skies, I noticed the dreaded "dust spots of doom". Same place every time, small round spots (easily removed in PS CC, btw) and irritating.

I have NEVER cleaned my sensor before, but am willing to give it a go, but I'm wondering... How often are these dust specks resolved just by using a rocket blower alone? I'd hope for that to be the easiest solution, at least.

Other than that, I've read the other recent thread, watched the tutorial video, and I'm willing to give it a shot. Any last second tips?

EDIT: Just gave it about 8-10 blasts with the rocket blower, and the specks are still there, so it's definitely going to need a wet cleaning.
Click to expand...

Why not just upgrade to a D810?:greedy_dollars:

So far I've been lucky that none of my cameras needed a wet cleaning...yet!
I noticed 2 small dust bunnies on my new refurb 7100 the other day, but now they are gone.
 
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dickelfan

Senior Member
I cleaned my d7000 not long ago when I noticed the same spots as you. First thing was trying the rocket blower like you did and I didn't have any luck. I got a pack of cleaners from my camera shop that consist of a swab on one end and a stick. Each is wrapped individually and were just as wide as the sensor. They worked really great and were easy to do.

510eVEmejRL._SY355_.jpg
 
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SteveH

Senior Member
I find that using the inbuilt sensor clean after each lens change or once a week, and occasional rocket blowing sorts mine out (Same for the D3100). I made the in built function part of my lens swapping "Procedure", and that keeps the dust pretty minimal for me. For info, 99% of my photography is outside too.
 
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Deleted

Senior Member
dickelfan said:
I cleaned my d7000 not long ago when I noticed the same spots as you. First thing was trying the rocket blower like you did and I didn't have any luck. I got a pack of cleaners from my camera shop that consist of a swab on one end and a stick. Each is wrapped individually and were just as wide as the sensor. They worked really great and were easy to do.

View attachment 111093
Click to expand...

These are good. Just a mention that they should be used with the special fluid.
 
Horoscope Fish

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
For a wet cleaning I use the Sensor Swab and solution shown above as well and with very good results. As for how wet to get the swab I suggest ONE drop on each side of the swab and no more. Too much solution will leave... Well... Solution spots that can be a PITA to remove.

Also, before I do a full-blown wet-cleaning I also have a sensor brush that I use first. You don't wipe it back and forth like you're laying on paint, you just drag it across the sensor under its own weight a time or two; a static electrical charge in the bristles pulls schmutz off the sensor. The brush is more powerful than a Rocket Blower but less intense than a wet-cleaning. Just something to consider.

Another essential item: The Carson Sensor Loupe.
....
 
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Pretzel

Senior Member
SteveH said:
I find that using the inbuilt sensor clean after each lens change or once a week, and occasional rocket blowing sorts mine out (Same for the D3100). I made the in built function part of my lens swapping "Procedure", and that keeps the dust pretty minimal for me. For info, 99% of my photography is outside too.
Click to expand...

Same here, other than I use the built-in sensor "clean" every time the camera is powered on and/or off. I don't use the rocket blower as often as I should probably, but I have no fear swapping lenses just about anywhere as long as I can find a fairly calm spot to do so. Actually surprised that I've not had dust spots before now. :D

ALSO surprised that none of the local camera shops carry the Sensor Swab or Eclipse cleaning fluid. Have some on the way from Amazon, though, so won't be dirty for long!
 
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Pretzel

Senior Member
Horoscope Fish said:
For a wet cleaning I use the Sensor Swab and solution shown above as well and with very good results. As for how wet to get the swab I suggest ONE drop on each side of the swab and no more. Too much solution will leave... Well... Solution spots that can be a PITA to remove.

Also, before I do a full-blown wet-cleaning I also have a sensor brush that I use first. You don't wipe it back and forth like you're laying on paint, you just drag it across the sensor under its own weight a time or two; a static electrical charge in the bristles pulls schmutz off the sensor. The brush is more powerful than a Rocket Blower but less intense than a wet-cleaning. Just something to consider.

....
Click to expand...

I tend to shudder when just thinking about a dry brush on the sensor... Is this a common thing?
 
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wornish

Senior Member
I used the visible dust swab cleaner on my D800 for the first time a few weeks ago and it worked treat.
Like you I was very nervous about giving it a go but its not hard really.

You have to get the correct swab for your sensor size. So if its a DX camera get the DX size swab.
And like the others on here said don't use too much solution. One or two drops max.

Sensor cleaning system for digital camera.
 
Horoscope Fish

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
Pretzel said:
I tend to shudder when just thinking about a dry brush on the sensor... Is this a common thing?
Click to expand...
Dragging a soft brush across the sensor makes you shudder but a wet swab gives you warm fuzzies? lol...

In all seriousness we use them here in the department (and have for all of the fifteen years I've been here) without issue. Again, you're not laying on paint, you're just dragging it across the sensor. Much like you'll be dragging that web swab, should you go that route. Bear in mind the camera sensor, while a delicate piece of electronics, is not THAT sensitive. It was designed to be cleaned at the consumer level.

....
 
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Pretzel

Senior Member
Ended up tackling it myself today, which is a bit of a stress. Went through 5 swabs and was at my cracking point, as each time I cleaned the sensor, I seemed to get the spots I was after... and ADD MORE! Once, I even ended up with a spot showing up in the viewfinder and a tiny hair on the sensor. Big sigh, "One more time..."


...and I got it. Only spent 20 bucks instead of the 50 my local shop would charge, so I'm satisfied. Dunno if I'll do it at the dining table again, though. Might be worth the "less stress" factor to let the shop hit it next time?
 
ABoon

ABoon

Senior Member
I'm sure most of you already would be doing this but no one mentioned it, so for those who might be unaware; make sure you try putting the mirror up when using a rocket blower on the sensor. If you can avoid touching the sensor this is a logical step before using dry or wet swabs however as someone stated previously, of course it's not dangerous to go for a full swab clean.
 
Vixen

Vixen

Senior Member
I need to do mine. I've done it before so not a problem. Do you guys blow the swab with your rocket blower first to get rid of any possible loose bits? Just that no-one mentioned this yet :D
 
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Pretzel

Senior Member
Vixen said:
I need to do mine. I've done it before so not a problem. Do you guys blow the swab with your rocket blower first to get rid of any possible loose bits? Just that no-one mentioned this yet :D
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My swabs were vacuum packed. Removed right at the time of cleaning, did not re-use. Pretty sure that's how it's supposed to go.

Didn't blast anything with the rocket blower except the sensor first (in hopes) and the mirror after.
 
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