Cleaning a DSLR sensor

[AJI]

My g/f has a full frame sensor (D700) which as a result seems to attract a monumental amount of dust.
So instead of always sending it back to be professionally cleaned I said 'lets try a cleaning kit'.

This is where I should have kept my mouth shut.

A combination of rocket blower and gel pen has not worked at all. Rocket blower 'yes' for loose free dust, but gel pen 'no, no ,no'.
Gel pen leaves smudge and grime on the sensor and any dust that was 'free' is now 'smudged' to the sensor.

So its now another off on another trip back to the manufacturer for a £50 clean!

[daveake]

I've used a "SensorKlear" pen a couple of times, and it worked fine. Last time I used it one of the bits of dust was stuck on rather well, and only came off after breathing on the sensor and then rubbing again with the pen.

[AJI]

is that a sticky 'gel' based pen?

[Kermit power]

The micro-vibrator thing in my 450D seems to do a sterling job of keeping my sensor free from dust.

What I do have, however, is three bloody great big dust spots somewhere else in the system! They're visible through the viewfinder, but don't appear on shots. I've tried cleaning the external viewfinder eyepiece, and had a look inside with the lens off, but I just can't figure out where these dust spots are to clean them!

[jimmy156]

Kermit power said:

The micro-vibrator thing in my 450D seems to do a sterling job of keeping my sensor free from dust.

What I do have, however, is three bloody great big dust spots somewhere else in the system! They're visible through the viewfinder, but don't appear on shots. I've tried cleaning the external viewfinder eyepiece, and had a look inside with the lens off, but I just can't figure out where these dust spots are to clean them!

They'll be on the mirror! i had this on my 50d before, i quick blast with a blower sorted the problem.

[Kermit power]

jimmy156 said:

Kermit power said:

The micro-vibrator thing in my 450D seems to do a sterling job of keeping my sensor free from dust.

What I do have, however, is three bloody great big dust spots somewhere else in the system! They're visible through the viewfinder, but don't appear on shots. I've tried cleaning the external viewfinder eyepiece, and had a look inside with the lens off, but I just can't figure out where these dust spots are to clean them!

They'll be on the mirror! i had this on my 50d before, i quick blast with a blower sorted the problem.

Ooh! I shall give that a try this evening.

[Famous Graham]

Kermit power said:

jimmy156 said:

Kermit power said:

The micro-vibrator thing in my 450D seems to do a sterling job of keeping my sensor free from dust.

What I do have, however, is three bloody great big dust spots somewhere else in the system! They're visible through the viewfinder, but don't appear on shots. I've tried cleaning the external viewfinder eyepiece, and had a look inside with the lens off, but I just can't figure out where these dust spots are to clean them!

They'll be on the mirror! i had this on my 50d before, i quick blast with a blower sorted the problem.

Ooh! I shall give that a try this evening.

If not, they'll be on the focussing screen - this is the bit just "up" inside the body above the mirror, that the mirror lies parallel with when it's flipped up. (tbh I'd say that's more likely anyway, as you can easily see if the mirror's contaminated and would probably have noticed it).

[daveake]

AJI said:

is that a sticky 'gel' based pen?

It says 'ere: "Unique non-liquid compound", so, erm, not sure. Seems to me to be a very slightly sticky fibre tip; don't think I'd describe it as a gel.

Dave

[ian in lancs]

I have a D300s and a D700s and don't particularly take precautions re dust changing lenses. Both have sensor cleaning turned on. Neither cameras have had dust problems but I have cleaned both with Visible Dust artic butterfly and or swabs and there are two cleaning chemicals for different contaminants. See http://www.visibledust.com/products.php top stuff, very easy to use and work a treat. Easy to carry and can be taken on-board aircraft too. I'd prefer to do it myself rather than trust someone else.

[andy-xr]

ian in lancs said:

I have a D300 and a D700 and don't particularly take precautions re dust changing lenses. Both have sensor cleaning turned on. Neither cameras have had dust problems

Edited slightly, but same thing - mine get abused fairly regularly on location and dont seem to have any dust issues as long as the startup/shutdown dust vibration thing is on

[AndWhyNot]

Worst contributor to dust on my sensor was leaving it to be cleaned by professionals.

[Simpo Two]

AJI said:

My g/f has a full frame sensor (D700) which as a result seems to attract a monumental amount of dust.

I suspect it's handling technique more than sensor size. I change lenses hundreds of times every year and almost never have problems with dust. Turn camera off, point down, swap lenses swiftly, don't do it in a dust-storm, never leave the camera with the lens off.