Sensor cleaning

[Dirty Harry]

Those of you who are using digital SLRs in the field, what do you do for sensor cleaning? I am trying to avoid the hours I spend at home cleaning up images in Photoshop because of the dust spots all over the image.

I have tried the Pec Pad, static brush, Microfiber clothes, and blower brushes but none seem to work particularly well.

TSA did not do me any favors when they started confiscating my compressed air canister when I fly.

 

[bigreen505]

I like the static master brushes when I am at home or traveling by car, but don't try to sneak one through an airport. The Visible Dust stuff is overpriced, but generally works as advertised. Sensor Swabs and Eclipse for anything stubborn, but for the cost of a bottle of Eclipse you can go to your local science/lab supply store and buy a lifetime supply of the same stuff.

 

[Dirty Harry]

I haven't had any problem getting my static master through the airport. The only issue I have is that the model I have is a bit too bulky to really clean the sensor.

I was getting plucked out of line all of the time and finally asked what I needed to do to avoid the hassle. The agent informed me that I was flagged because I had electronics (the camera) and organics (like cleaning solution) in the same bag. I usually toss all of my cleaning stuff in my checked bags now and it seems to have solved the problem.

 

[jorge]

I use The Arctic Butterfly 724 Sensor Brush from VisibleDust. So far is working very well on keeping the sensor clean on my Nikons D2x.

 

[Robthebrit]

I tried dust-aid (www.dust-aid.com) and it works well for all sensor sizes and is airport safe and small. Its a special sticky pad, I am in two minds whether its good or bad, I never cleaned the 5D with it but I have clean the old rebel number of times with absolutely no problems.

Rob

 

[sinuhexavier]

I like sending it to Canon.

 

[Dirty Harry]

I like sending it to Canon.

I have done this in the past and like this option, but I only have one body to shoot with at this time and I can't go without it for a week this time of year. I get nervous about shipping the body anyway. I had a local place in Reno that did a great job with quick turnaround but I am currently in Rapid City and there is no one local that can do it. No replacement for factory cleaning though.

 

[bigreen505]

I haven't had any problem getting my static master through the airport. The only issue I have is that the model I have is a bit too bulky to really clean the sensor.

The genuine Static Master brushes have a radioactive element in them. Try to take it through DIA and you will likely discover a new side of our government.

 

[DaveInDenver]

The genuine Static Master brushes have a radioactive element in them. Try to take it through DIA and you will likely discover a new side of our government.

'Tis true. The gen-u-ine Staticmaster has Po-210 (that's polonium) in it to attract dust. I've got a 1" that I use to clean my LPs (are you honestly surprised I still have vinyl records?) and brush negatives before printing or scanning. Mine is from the 1970s and so it's ionizing source has long since gone dead, the half life of Po-210 is about 150 days. But it's still a nice brush and works fine that way.

 

[DaveInDenver]

Oh, yeah, to Bill's point. Polonium is often alloyed with beryllium to make neutron initiators as triggers for nuclear weapons... Think the TSA screeners know that?

 

[Dirty Harry]

Oh, yeah, to Bill's point. Polonium is often alloyed with beryllium to make neutron initiators as triggers for nuclear weapons... Think the TSA screeners know that?

Apparently they don't because I take mine with me all time! :arabia:

 

[sinuhexavier]

I have done this in the past and like this option, but I only have one body to shoot with at this time and I can't go without it for a week this time of year. I get nervous about shipping the body anyway. I had a local place in Reno that did a great job with quick turnaround but I am currently in Rapid City and there is no one local that can do it. No replacement for factory cleaning though.

A good option is Canon Professional Services, if you are a member they will send you a loaner body while yours is cleaned free of charge.

 

[Dirty Harry]

A good option is Canon Professional Services, if you are a member they will send you a loaner body while yours is cleaned free of charge.

Thank you for the information. I did not know that, I will certainly look in to it. :beer:

 

[Redline]

You guys think you're getting dust/dirt from lens changing?

I did have a spec of something on my 20D recently and it was removed easily. I was lucky.

 

[Dirty Harry]

Yes, I think that is is mainly from changing lenses in the field. I recently purchased a 28-300mm lens that should limit the amount of swapping that I need to do, but I really like a wide angle (almost fisheye) for rockcrawling shots like this.