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DPChallenge Forums >> Photography Discussion >> Eclipse (Ethanol) saves the sensor (EOS 300D) !
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Showing posts 1 - 22 of 22, (reverse)
AuthorThread
 06/11/2004 09:23:30 PM · #1
::big sigh of relief::

So I'm shooting off a causeway beach here in Clearwater, FL and I'm changing lenses like mad. I get home dump my cards and to my horror EVERY one of the 143 shots had a giant spot in them. I figure it was a dust speck so I open the mirror and find not dust, but a spot. A spot of god knows what that my blower could only dream of removing.

I panicked and thoughts of replacing my sensor or camera scared me out of my mind.

I did some quick research and found a small site that recommend Eclipse ethanol optical cleaner and PEC*PADS. I ordered some overnight from adorama.com cause the weekend was coming. Do or Die.

So I got the stuff today and carefully wrapped a q-tip in a PEC*PAD with a rubber band and then applied 5-6 drops of Eclipse to the end. I carefully rubbed the sensor... the spot seemed to get smaller. More fluid, more rubbing. BINGO! The spot is gone and my sensor is in perfect condition. (Thank you!)

Eclipse Optical Cleaning System - Highly Recommended for Canon Digital Rebel sensor and lenses too
06/11/2004 10:07:01 PM · #2
I HAVE to clean my sensor. I've had my 10D for over a year and I'm having dust problems. I have to look into this.
 06/11/2004 11:55:56 PM · #3
Jacques: Go Here. Buy the guy's tool for a few bucks. Worth it. =]

Message edited by author 2004-06-11 23:56:14.
 06/12/2004 07:12:26 AM · #4
That's a great link - thanks!
 08/20/2004 02:03:53 PM · #5
I don't have time to get this tool, as I'm shooting another motocross race this weekend and just found out about it today. My sensor has dust all over it. Not only is there no time to order the tool, but I don't really know what I'm doing.

I've thought about taking it into my local cam shop - they should be able to have it cleaned while I wait. Any other suggestions?

Thanks!
 08/20/2004 02:25:23 PM · #6
Take a bulb blower and follow the instructions in your manual. This might help.

I got the sensor swab tool from that PBase link yesterday. I'll be cleaning the sensor on my 10D this weekend.

Originally posted by tfaust:
I don't have time to get this tool, as I'm shooting another motocross race this weekend and just found out about it today. My sensor has dust all over it. Not only is there no time to order the tool, but I don't really know what I'm doing.

I've thought about taking it into my local cam shop - they should be able to have it cleaned while I wait. Any other suggestions?

Thanks!

08/20/2004 02:37:05 PM · #7
I have been cleaning my sensor for about a year with Eclipse and PEC pads as described in EddyG's link above. The rubbermaid spatula works great. Cut it down as seen in the pbase link. Wrap the pec pad around the end to form and nice straight clean surface. 2 or 3 drops of eclipse and wipe once one way, angle the spatula the other direction and swipe again. The technique described in the link is perfect and I have never had one issue, except I am now a fanatic about keeping my sensor clean!!!!
 08/20/2004 02:53:02 PM · #8
Thanks for the boost of confidence.

How do you set your camera? on a tripod or just on a table?

Originally posted by Kneeforu:
I have been cleaning my sensor for about a year with Eclipse and PEC pads as described in EddyG's link above. The rubbermaid spatula works great. Cut it down as seen in the pbase link. Wrap the pec pad around the end to form and nice straight clean surface. 2 or 3 drops of eclipse and wipe once one way, angle the spatula the other direction and swipe again. The technique described in the link is perfect and I have never had one issue, except I am now a fanatic about keeping my sensor clean!!!!

08/20/2004 03:12:23 PM · #9
Does anyone have mail-order sources for Eclipse and so on in Canada? I tried ordering the stuff from a place in the USA, and they said they couldn't ship it (dangerous materials or something like that). Thanks,

Ursula
 08/20/2004 03:17:48 PM · #10
//www.photococan.com/itmidx11.htm is the link Jacko posted on the site for canadians :)
 08/20/2004 03:21:16 PM · #11
Sadly, I have used Eclipse a bunch of times but cannot get my spots off. They move around. I suck at sensor cleaning. I am taking it in to Canon in Irvine sometime next month for a good cleaning by a pro. I have no idea why mine won't come clean! It's so annoying. The eclipse stuff is good, but I just suck at cleaning. :(
 08/20/2004 03:21:52 PM · #12
Originally posted by ursula:
Does anyone have mail-order sources for Eclipse and so on in Canada? I tried ordering the stuff from a place in the USA, and they said they couldn't ship it (dangerous materials or something like that). Thanks,

Ursula


An alternative to Eclipse is a very high purity methanol form a chemical supply house. You are looking for "HPLC grade" or similar, ask for something with less than 5 ppm (parts per million) residue on evaporation. A half-liter can usually be had for about $30 (US). If you can find a source for the eclipse, though, just buy that. You won't use a half-liter in a hunderd years.
 08/20/2004 03:29:14 PM · #13
Originally posted by tfaust:
I don't have time to get this tool, as I'm shooting another motocross race this weekend and just found out about it today. My sensor has dust all over it. Not only is there no time to order the tool, but I don't really know what I'm doing.

I've thought about taking it into my local cam shop - they should be able to have it cleaned while I wait. Any other suggestions?

Thanks!


If you're in a bind for the tool, go to Wal-Mart. There is a set of spatulas (spatulae?) from Robinson Knife for under $2 that you can use to make a "spat-u-swab" per the instructions on the copperhill site. Took me less than half an hour to make mine.
BTW, thanks for the reminder, gotta clean mine again today, got a big a$$ piece of fuzz (hair?) in the corner. Yuck!
 08/20/2004 03:31:23 PM · #14
Has anyone here in the UK cleaned their sensor?
Mine needs a good swabbing. I`m thinking of just wrapping some good quality lens tissues around a plastic spatula and splashing on a few drops of the old fluid.
Has the fluid got to be the eclipse brand or any sort of lens cleaner ethonol/methnol.
Here in the UK eclipse is not that readily available and i`m after something i can just pick up in jessops or a chemist.Thanks

Mark
 08/20/2004 03:49:01 PM · #15
Most common lens cleaning solutions are aqueous (water based). You really need a fast-evaporating solution for the sensor. If you cannot get Eclipse, see my post above on alternatives.
Regarding lens tissue vs. PecPads, I think the PecPads are a great investment, far superior IMO. I use them for lens cleaning as well they seem to be much better at picking up dust/dirt and are far less abrasive.
 08/20/2004 04:07:45 PM · #16
Thanks Fritz.
I thought pecpads were like the USA version of lens tissues.
Shows what i know.
Thanks for the link i will have a good read up.
 08/20/2004 04:18:58 PM · #17
Found some Eclipse cleaning fluid in the UK, also the pec pads.
Will make the swabs myself, i`m not paying £36 for just 12 swabs.
 08/20/2004 04:19:06 PM · #18
Originally posted by Konador:
//www.photococan.com/itmidx11.htm is the link Jacko posted on the site for canadians :)


Thanks!
 08/20/2004 10:44:02 PM · #19
Thanks kirbic - and everyone else... I don't know if I'll have time to go to Walmart and fashion my own cleaning kit. This is a lesson to order the Pec Pads kit though and keep it on hand!!

08/20/2004 11:22:00 PM · #20
So how do you do the swabbing. Do you attach it to your tripod?

Originally posted by kirbic:
Most common lens cleaning solutions are aqueous (water based). You really need a fast-evaporating solution for the sensor. If you cannot get Eclipse, see my post above on alternatives.
Regarding lens tissue vs. PecPads, I think the PecPads are a great investment, far superior IMO. I use them for lens cleaning as well they seem to be much better at picking up dust/dirt and are far less abrasive.

08/20/2004 11:31:07 PM · #21
Originally posted by Jacko:
So how do you do the swabbing. Do you attach it to your tripod?


Nah, I just lay it on it's back on the desk. I position a light source right above me so I can see what the heck I'm doing in there. Usually I only have to swab once. I'm not real picky, if I leave a few very small specks, I don't mind, it's just going to pick up dust again anyway. I have been clenaing about every 3 months, I think today was cleaning number 4.
 08/20/2004 11:54:55 PM · #22
I just cleaned my sensor on mark ii for the first time, it was not nearly as hard as i was assuming it would be. And I can tell it will get easier in time. I have had my equipment at canon enough, not sending it away for regular cleanings too. The annoying dust I can proudly say is gonezo. : )
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