I just used Scotch Tape on my Sensor!

Fujifilm XF 55-200mm f/3.5-4.8 R LM OIS

04/20/2007 02:38:04 PM · #76

Science in action! I'm waiting to hear about the blue tape. Meanwhile, since I want to take the camera out to play tomorrow, I'd best go give the other method I use a shot. Dust cows have gotta go.

ursula

Fujifilm X-T2

04/20/2007 02:46:42 PM · #77

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

Originally posted by nshapiro:
It seems like you should be able to test the technique by using scotch tape to clean the front of one of your lens filters. Then you can easily look at it from the top, with light coming from behind, and use a magnifying glass or even a microscope to see if there's residue.

(If you have a microscope, you could try it on a glass slide)

Anyone want to try it?

I would really like someone to try this. Actually if I get a chance I'll do it myself. I have 3M Scotch Tape, Blue masking tape and maybe even some cheap scotch tape around. I could look at it with my otoscope which would get some magnification, but I could only take pictures with my macro.

I'll report back with some findings later tonight.

Allright! This I like.

Gordon

RIM BlackBerry Curve

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

04/20/2007 02:51:51 PM · #78

Here's a long list, along with what the manufacturers actually use

//www.cleaningdigitalcameras.com/methods.html

Scotch tape doesn't come very highly recommended ;)

DrAchoo

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

04/20/2007 03:04:01 PM · #79

Originally posted by Gordon:

Here's a long list, along with what the manufacturers actually use

//www.cleaningdigitalcameras.com/methods.html

Scotch tape doesn't come very highly recommended ;)

It's a great list of everything available, but in the end seems little more than opinion about what works and what doesn't. I don't see any rigor behind the pro/con conclusions.

It's interesting that there is a tape system that is endorsed by Canon so it seems that theoretically a tape system isn't a bad idea...

Dust-Aid - is an adhesive based digital single lens reflex camera sensor cleaner.

Pros: This kit is very similar in concept to the official Canon SCK-E1 (only sold in Japan) and it works on dust that is held on the sensor by static. Easier to use then the SCK-E1.

Cons: Compared to other "Dry Methods" this is one of the most expensive. Like all other dry methods they do not remove welded dust.

Scotch Tape - Use the sticky tape to remove unwanted dust.

Pros: Tape is real cheap.
Cons: You might get that piece of dust, but what about all that adhesive goo left behind. Not only no, but heck no!

04/20/2007 04:22:16 PM · #80

Question - and it may be a dumb one but I'll ask anyway - visual inspection shows my mirror is not all that clean. In fact, it's quite not clean. Can that be cleaned (or should it be) with a wet cleaning method?

Beetle

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

04/20/2007 04:39:00 PM · #81

In response to Melethia (whom I should have quoted instead of just firing off a response), here is my very amateur understanding of the issue:

The mirror is only there to show you â�� via viewfinder â�� what you are about to take a photo of. During the actual exposure, it flips out of the wayâ�¦â�¦. dustbunnies, stains, and all. Therefore youâ��re ok as long as you can still see something in the viewfinder.

Edited to add missing words and generally make more sense :-(

Message edited by author 2007-04-20 16:49:35.

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

04/20/2007 04:46:16 PM · #82

OK, that makes sense. And explains the dots I see through the viewfinder. I keep thinking they're on the eyepiece but apparently they're on the mirror!

asimchoudhri

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

04/20/2007 04:47:59 PM · #83

Originally posted by Beetle:

Here is my very amateur opinion:
The mirror is only there to show you â�� via viewfinder â�� what you are about to take a photo of. During the actual exposure, it flips out the wayâ�¦â�¦. dustbunnies, stains, and all. Therefore youâ��re ok as long as you can still something in the viewfinder.

as long as it doesn't interfere with the autofocus points (which would require a moderate amount of dust in perfectly placed locations) or interfere with light-metering (which would require a thin layer of mud)

RainMotorsports

Nikon D60

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR

04/20/2007 04:48:25 PM · #84

Originally posted by Beetle:

However if that mirror junk becomes disloged next place it can go is the sensor.

1 - Rarley comes off that easily.

2 - If it comes off due to the upward swing chances are its going right back on the mirror again.

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

04/20/2007 04:54:35 PM · #85

Originally posted by asimchoudhri:

The thin layer of mud is something I'll definitely try to avoid. :-)

pineapple

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

04/20/2007 04:56:50 PM · #86

Methanol the constituent of many of the wet cleaners. Not necessarily the nicest fluid to have around when you have your eye and nose half-way stuck into the body of a camera...

asimchoudhri

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

04/20/2007 05:18:14 PM · #87

Originally posted by pineapple:

Methanol the constituent of many of the wet cleaners. Not necessarily the nicest fluid to have around when you have your eye and nose half-way stuck into the body of a camera...

are you going to avoid other chemicals with safety profiles that have a similar amount of scary sounding risks? another one that's not as scary sounding, but still could be cause for concern.

MelonMusketeer

Nikon D7000

Nikon MF 50mm f/1.4

04/20/2007 05:36:49 PM · #88

According to what I have read, the focusing mirror is the most delicate part of the system re scratching. Be careful with it.
One thing I might say about removing the lens to clean the sensor is to blow off the area around the lens mount before removing the lens, then move to another area away from that dust before opening the camera.
The "Redneck sensor cleaning method" :
Step 1 Get into the truck with camera and beer
Step 2 Drive to a speed of 60 mph + on a level straight road
Step 3 Remove lens from camera
Step 4 Roll down window
Step 5 Set camera all manual at 1/4 sec shutter speed
Step 6 Steer with knee while holding camera out the window, open end forward
Step 7 Trip the shutter 3 times
Step 8 Put the lens back on, while still steering with one knee.
Step 9 Drive to the nearest bar to celebrate having a clean sensor. Done.
Option 2 :

Can also be used for sensor cleaning with lens removed.
The thread was getting too serious again, had to get some relief : )

DrAchoo

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

04/20/2007 06:54:22 PM · #89

OK, I do not have pictures, it was very difficult to capture the reflection of any films that were left.

Method:
I used my 2-stop ND filter as the substrate. I cleaned it as best I could and took a look at it outside with the sun reflecting off it as much as I could.

Eclipse and Kimwipes:
I used this as the baseline. It certainly got the filter clean, but I don't know if anybody else has ever noticed that things like this do leaves a residue as you can look at the reflection and tell what direction you were wiping to dry it off (ie. swirly vs. straight).

3M Scotch Masking tape (not blue) #2050 (masking tape for general painting):
This clearly left something behind. I was able to capture a picture, but suffice it to say we see small amounts of "stuff".

3M Scotch Gloss Finish Transparent Tape:
This is the thinner clear stuff. It's harder to break and I generally don't like it for anything. However, when putting it on the filter it left no appreciable residue. Still I could tell where the tape had been. How? It seemed to remove the film left behind by the Eclipse.

3M Scotch Matte Finish Magic Tape:
This is the wider opaque stuff. It breaks easy and is probably what we think of as "Scotch Tape". It also left no discernible residue and also seemed to remove the mild residue left by the Eclipse.

Now any good experiment worth its salt needs duplication, so I suggest others try to replicate this on their own filter. If you have the exact tapes I have, that's great. If not, be as precise as you can describing it.

At this point, I have very little worry that the Scotch Tape is leaving something behind on my sensor. If anything it appeared to work better than the Eclipse.

I'd love to hear other people's results.

dwterry

Canon EOS-1D Mark III

04/20/2007 07:05:27 PM · #90

Very interesting. Thanks for all the hard work! :-)

deapee

Kodak V803

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

04/20/2007 07:40:02 PM · #91

Originally posted by MelonMusketeer:

Step 1 Get into the truck with camera and beer
Step 2 Drive to a speed of 60 mph + on a level straight road
Step 3 Remove lens from camera
Step 4 Roll down window
Step 5 Set camera all manual at 1/4 sec shutter speed
Step 6 Steer with knee while holding camera out the window, open end forward
Step 7 Trip the shutter 3 times
Step 8 Put the lens back on, while still steering with one knee.
Step 9 Drive to the nearest bar to celebrate having a clean sensor.

That would actually work...except the whole beer thing. I will honestly try that next time.

idnic

Canon EOS-60D

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

04/20/2007 07:45:37 PM · #92

Originally posted by deapee:

That would actually work...except the whole beer thing. I will honestly try that next time.

I can't imagine what squashed mosquitos would look like on a sensor.....

deapee

Kodak V803

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

04/20/2007 08:09:32 PM · #93

What are the chances of that happening?

edit: I mean to a 3 year old d70...Obviously the chances for a d200 or a 5d would be a lot higher. Heck I've used an 8hp vacuum cleaner to suck out dust before. Worked great.

You're only opening the shutter for a quarter of a second. I'm trying it.

Message edited by author 2007-04-20 20:10:42.

DjFenzl

04/20/2007 08:13:29 PM · #94

Originally posted by deapee:

What are the chances of that happening?

1 in 345,642
D'uh! everyone knows that!

jbsmithana

Nikon D300

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 12-24mm f/4.0G IF-ED

04/20/2007 08:19:27 PM · #95

Originally posted by Gordon:

Here's a long list, along with what the manufacturers actually use

//www.cleaningdigitalcameras.com/methods.html

Scotch tape doesn't come very highly recommended ;)

Anyone else notice the LensPen suggestion? Seems that each time you buy a new one it would pay to blow off the sensor and then LensPen it.

MelonMusketeer

Nikon D7000

Nikon MF 50mm f/1.4

04/21/2007 01:55:37 AM · #96

Originally posted by Megatherian:

Originally posted by deapee:
What are the chances of that happening?

1 in 345,642
D'uh! everyone knows that!

I actually did have a bug splat on a polarizer one time while holding the camera out the window for a shot, so it could happen. It took me a while to figure out why the following shots had a soft area until I found the problem. It was quite funny later. Too bad I didn't trigger the shutter as it happened.

DrAchoo

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5