What do I need to clean the sensor?

[speed8]

I was just sorting out my pics and noticed I have some artifacts on the clouds. i assume it's a dirty sensor. What do you use to clean it and is there anything I need to be careful about?

[V6GTO]

Tep...that's a dirty sensor. Google Arctic Butterfly.

M.

[graham@reading]

Rocket Blower does me most of the time to be honest. As long as you're careful swapping lens and give it a blast each time you do, you should be ok.

Beginning of the airshow season though, ie a couple of months ago, I'll go at it properly with Pec Pads and cleaning fluid in preparation.

[beano500]

If you're very careful with the clone tool in PS you can get rid of it in a way that hardly anybody will ever notice......

[SlimJ]

lol!

I have gone for a blower which works well but eventually you will need to do a wet clean (as I do now), so best bet is to google 'Copperhill Method', basically it's pec pads, a rubber spatula and Eclipse cleaning fluid.

I have the cleaning fluid and pads, just looking for a rubber spatula, anyone any ideas where to get one from?

Cheers
James

[flameop]

art n craft shop. probably find online one.

s

[te51cle]

Rocket blower has worked twice for me, didn't even have to get the nozzle inside the body. Suggest you use one of those and investigate the other methods later if you need to.

[longers]

I flew down the Arctic Butterfly route myself - my theory being that it's better to remove the bits rather than blow them elsewhere in the camera. I don't think I'd have the nerve to use liquids and the gentle use of the brush is easy, transportable for holidays and easy to use.

Longers

[mcgus]

you don't say what camera you use but this link will be useful anyway..

[url] www.photo.net/equipment/digital/sensorcleaning/ [/url]

[speed8]

beano500 said:

If you're very careful with the clone tool in PS you can get rid of it in a way that hardly anybody will ever notice......

Sounds like there's a few options out there. It's my own fault I guess, too much swapping lenses around.

[beano500]

On a slightly more serious tack....


I did get a little squeamish and pay for Fixation to clean my sensor last year. Now it's case of regular blower brush treatment.

Lenses are being changed all the time (especially as I have predominantly fixed focal length) and I adhere pretty strictly to my set of rules:

1 camera turned off, to reduce risk of static charge.
2 to change in dusty conditions or when windy unless taking shelter
3 point downwards
4 make it quick
5 check for and blow off rear elemets to keep dust down
6 expect dust sooner or later.

Not had a significant problem yet.....