Wet sensor clean

wombat

Senior Member
I am looking for a good wet sensor cleaning tool, what is the best one to get ? there a lot on eBay $1.50 to $15.00 don't want a cheap one.

I am aware of the Eyelead sensor gel one, but I want a wet clean.

What is the fluid that is used to do a wet clean ?
 

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
I am looking for a good wet sensor cleaning tool, what is the best one to get ? there a lot on eBay $1.50 to $15.00 don't want a cheap one.

I am aware of the Eyelead sensor gel one, but I want a wet clean.

What is the fluid that is used to do a wet clean ?
I use Eclipse fluid from Photographic Solutions, and swabs made by same company. If you have a DX body, you'll want Type 2 swabs, and if you have an FX body you'll want Type 3. There are probably cheaper alternatives that work just as well, these are just what I use. If you've never cleaned your sensor before my best advice is to use one drop of fluid on the swab. ONE. Not two, not three... ONE. Using more than that, I've found, is the best way to get streaks on your sensor and streaks can be time consuming to remove.

You might also want to consider this sensor loupe; I find in invaluable for being able to check my sensor for dust particles.
 

hark

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Contributor
I use Eclipse fluid from Photographic Solutions, and swabs made by same company. If you have a DX body, you'll want Type 2 swabs, and if you have an FX body you'll want Type 3. There are probably cheaper alternatives that work just as well, these are just what I use. If you've never cleaned your sensor before my best advice is to use one drop of fluid on the swab. ONE. Not two, not three... ONE. Using more than that, I've found, is the best way to get streaks on your sensor and streaks can be time consuming to remove.

You might also want to consider this sensor loupe; I find in invaluable for being able to check my sensor for dust particles.

I too use the Eclipse solution and the Sensor Swabs for wet cleaning. Please don't use the fluid on other objects that aren't intended for a wet cleaning (such as a Q-Tip). And be sure to use some type of rocket blower first to remove dust. Otherwise, you might scratch your sensor. I like the Giottos Rocket Blaster. It comes in 3 sizes...the large works the best but is also the biggest. The medium works okay. The small...meh. ;)

This is the video Jake posted for me that walks through the process. After watching it, I realized it wasn't as scary as I anticipated! And also as Fish suggested, a loupe is a huge asset. My first time cleaning, I couldn't see down inside. Tried holding a small flashlight, but it was cumbersome with also holding the sensor swab in one hand and holding the body still with the other. A loupe is terrific. I use this one: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0091SS310/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

Vixen

Senior Member
I use the visible dust swabs and fluid. These ones by Eclipse look like they may be cheaper. Might try them next time. Thanks for the linky to the Aussie stockist @wombat
 

wombat

Senior Member
I use the visible dust swabs and fluid. These ones by Eclipse look like they may be cheaper. Might try them next time. Thanks for the linky to the Aussie stockist @wombat

Vixen, I'm not sure that link does stock the items, it is the link from the site, I will be contacting them on Monday to check and order.
 

wombat

Senior Member
I just went to order ECLIPSE Optical cleaner 2oz 59ml and the Sensor Swab Ultra 3 pack of 12 from Melbourne and find that the shipping is listed as $30.72 because of the cleaner fluid, can anybody please advise if there is anywhere in Perth WA that I can pick these two items up from a store ?
 

editorial_use_only

Senior Member
Eclipse worked well for me. I could often get a clean sensor using just one swab. Great.

Aeroclipse has not worked well for me. I got a bottle of that stuff and blew through 8 of the same swabs trying to get a clean sensor without success. I kept getting streaks and smears. I tried using less fluid, I tried using less fluid, I tried using more pressure, I tried using more fluid. Down to my last 2 swabs I switched back to Eclipse and got it in 1.

I bought a bottle of Gamma cleaning fluid from Dust Patrol/micro-tools.com but have yet to use it.

Something that comes up from time to time is trying high grade methanol. If you're having trouble finding a local supplier of sensor cleaning equipment, you might consider it. This link

Cleaning Digital Cameras - Guide to cleaning DSLR and Mirroless cameras. - The Methods & Tools

I find very useful. If you search other large photo forums like dpreview for sensor cleaning you can also turn up more info. Like

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/14802083

One thing I'd caution you about is a complete DIY method, like using a Pec-Pad wrapped onto the stub of a plastic knife. I've seen that advice given to a beginner. I'd really really hesitate trying that.
 

wombat

Senior Member
Eclipse worked well for me. I could often get a clean sensor using just one swab. Great.

Aeroclipse has not worked well for me. I got a bottle of that stuff and blew through 8 of the same swabs trying to get a clean sensor without success. I kept getting streaks and smears. I tried using less fluid, I tried using less fluid, I tried using more pressure, I tried using more fluid. Down to my last 2 swabs I switched back to Eclipse and got it in 1.

I bought a bottle of Gamma cleaning fluid from Dust Patrol/micro-tools.com but have yet to use it.

Something that comes up from time to time is trying high grade methanol. If you're having trouble finding a local supplier of sensor cleaning equipment, you might consider it. This link

Cleaning Digital Cameras - Guide to cleaning DSLR and Mirroless cameras. - The Methods & Tools

I find very useful. If you search other large photo forums like dpreview for sensor cleaning you can also turn up more info. Like

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/14802083

One thing I'd caution you about is a complete DIY method, like using a Pec-Pad wrapped onto the stub of a plastic knife. I've seen that advice given to a beginner. I'd really really hesitate trying that.


Hi, thank you for your feedback, the site that I found is Home - Vanbar Imaging they recommend the Aeroclipse for sony cameras, that is why I was after the eclipse fluid, I will have a look at the site's you posted links for.
 
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