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07/29/2006 09:33:22 AM · #1 |
I have sensor dust! It was a few specks, I tried to blow them out with a bulb blower, now it's a whole heap of clumps!!! I have called camera stores in the area, they either don't know what I'm talking about or they say " oh no, you should never touch the sensor." One place had some kind of sensor cleaning kit that consisted of a battery opperated brush with no instructions for $140 australian. I didn't buy it. Another place tried using their powered blower thingy but it didn't work. What do I do now??
Thanks in advance :) |
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07/29/2006 09:39:23 AM · #2 |
| compressed air from a can or compressor works best IMO |
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07/29/2006 09:40:51 AM · #3 |
| I thought I read somewhere not to use compressed air?? |
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07/29/2006 09:48:50 AM · #4 |
Originally posted by Penny Lane:
I thought I read somewhere not to use compressed air?? |
can't see why not. the photog i work with on my job owns a 15.000$ Leaf digital camera back and still uses compressed air |
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07/29/2006 10:09:40 AM · #5 |
Penny, This excerpt is from THIS ARTICLE on the Luminous Landscape website:
"You need a means of blowing loose dust off the sensor and then a fluid and pads to wipe the surface and remove any stubborn particles. You can use either a hand squeezed blower bulb or compressed CO2 gas. Do not use cans of compressed air such as Dust-Off, as they contain liquid propellants that can gunk-up the sensor, which will then require professional cleaning or replacement. Also some of the compressed gas and air blowers are very strong and can blow dirt particles into deep recesses of the camera where they can cause other problems. Also, be very careful of the point of the blower. Don't let it ever touch the sensor plate surface.
A company called American Recorder makes a blower that uses compressed CO2 that is safe to use. Their replacement cylinders of gas do not contain any propellant, and the blower has a long plastic wand. Do not use CO2 cartridges intended for use with air guns, for example, as these contain a lubricant that can gunk up your sensor plate.
Update: There are some reports from several readers that even the American Recorder CO2 capsules can occasionally emit an oily residue. I haven't seen it myself, even after several cartridges, but there are enough anecdotal reports to this effect that caution is advised."
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07/29/2006 10:11:42 AM · #6 |
Originally posted by eyewave:
Originally posted by Penny Lane:
I thought I read somewhere not to use compressed air?? |
can't see why not. |
Compressed air cans contain propellant which (as a liquid) I understand is not good for the sensors. This makes reasonable sense to me. |
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07/29/2006 10:16:48 AM · #7 |
Don't use compressed air unless it it 100% air and nothing else. Most have a propellant that is a liquid. As the air is discharged the liquid expands to help maintain the pressure. As the can becomes more empty or when held at different angles the liquid will spray out in a fine mist (sometimes a squirt). If you get this on the sensor it will be most difficult to remove. For $40 you can get the Copper Hill cleaning system. I made a mistake several months ago on following advice on cleaning the sensor to my 20D. Do not use stickem notes, tape, canned air, lens cleaner and cotton swabs. It cost me nearly $400 to replace the sensor. I now have the Copper Hill stuff and use it with confidence.
Link
Message edited by author 2006-07-29 10:18:06. |
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07/29/2006 10:20:38 AM · #8 |
Originally posted by mist:
Originally posted by eyewave:
Originally posted by Penny Lane:
I thought I read somewhere not to use compressed air?? |
can't see why not. |
Compressed air cans contain propellant which (as a liquid) I understand is not good for the sensors. This makes reasonable sense to me. |
Compressed air could also cause an alignment problem with the sensor if too much pressure is used to try and attempt to blow the dust off. Comperssed air is definatley a nono in my book. I bought the copperhill kit, havent had to use it yet. But wouldnt use compressed air at all.
MattO
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07/29/2006 10:47:01 AM · #9 |
| Try a Giottos Rocket they seem to put off the most air. I have had some spotting and use it to clean my sensor . What I do is lock up the mirror invert the camera so as the camera with lens off is facing do to the floor. Carefuly blow the air up into the body so as the dust will fall away from the sensor. Works like a charm. |
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07/29/2006 09:31:20 PM · #10 |
| Thanks everyone for your advice. I think I will go with the copper hill kit, I can order it on the net for $79 austrlian. This sounds to be the safest way to go. Thanks again. :) |
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