Sensor cleaning kit?

[JB80]

Due to the ongoing issues I'm having with muck on the sensor of my 20D mainly because I have no clear clip or specailised cleaning equipment I have decided to invest in both. Trouble is I don't really have any experience and there are a few different kits around and I was wondering if anybody had any experience with these kits and could recommend one.

Some use a lenspen and others use dust wands, some are wet some are dry, some with compressed air.

So I'm left a little confused by it all.

I have just got a celestron lenspen for my EP's, but I would be reluctant to try that as it leaves a residue.

[jgs001]

You need to get a proper sensor cleaning kit, ideally matched to the material of the sensor. I was involved in a discussion on a photo forum with someone with a horribly dirty sensor. He'd invested in the wrong fluid and it wouldn't come clean... He bought a bottle of the correct fluid and it did the job in one go...

I opted for the air blower, followed by wet clean approach and bought a kit from

Just Ltd - Cleaning & Protective Products for Cameras and all Optical Equipment

Not the cheapest, but I figured it was worth making sure what I bought was right for the camera.

[Psychobilly]

I use lenspen Sensorklear (min triangular shaped lenspen) , Single use Pads and Eclipse fluid and I also have a Delkin Digital Duster Kit...

Which of theses I use depends on whats on there...

Billy...

[JB80]

Thanks for the link, I didn't know it was camera specific but a little search say mine is the Type 2 one.

I figure it's worth paying a little more for something that will work.

[Psychobilly]

The thing to watch with the lenspens is dont press to hard and keep it square to the surface ... most of the "problems" come from dragging the rubber edge across the optics ... remember they need recharghing with the cleaning compound by twisting the cap every now and again...

[jgs001]

Mount the camera on a tripod, and angle it so the opening to the body is downward, this will help a bit... oh.. and make sure your battery is fully charged before you start. You don't want the shutter and mirror closing on something, like a swab, that's in the body when the power runs out...

[Psychobilly]

Some DSLR's wont allow you to select the sensor cleaning function unless the battery if fully charged... on the Nikon D200 the optiion is only available in the menus with a fully charegd battery... I spent several minutes trying to find it once when the battery had run down a bit... then remebered ...

Billy...

[JB80]

I did see both of those kits, the sensorklene one is what made me curious about the celestron pen as they seem similar. But like I said I'm wary of trying that out and would rather stick to something specialised.

I'm guessing I have a couple of stuck on bits as I just can't get rid of them but I can get the dust away. The eclipse fluid seems to get good recommendations.

The fully charged battery is a good call, that would be disaster nearly.

At first it took me ages to find the sensor clean function but then put the camera in manual and it appered.

[Psychobilly]

Tis good stuff... just follow the wiping instructions to the letter resist the temptation to scrimp and use the same swab for a couple of swipes.. normally there is some dead area outside the active portion of the ccd so you place the swab on and lift the swab off the surface in those regions...

Billy...

[Mr Spock]

I had a proper cleaning kit for my D70. Expensive but worth it.

Fortunately my D300 has one of these vibration thingies which activates when you press the shutter button. It's never needed cleaning.

[milkyjoe]

Lol, I like your 'Close Encounters of the 3rd Kind' graphic!

Due to the ongoing issues I'm having with muck on the sensor of my 20D mainly because I have no clear clip or specailised cleaning equipment I have decided to invest in both. Trouble is I don't really have any experience and there are a few different kits around and I was wondering if anybody had any experience with these kits and could recommend one.

Some use a lenspen and others use dust wands, some are wet some are dry, some with compressed air.

So I'm left a little confused by it all.

I have just got a celestron lenspen for my EP's, but I would be reluctant to try that as it leaves a residue.

[JB80]

hehe, you can almost hear the notes in your head:D

OK thanks guys for the advice. I think I have found a good middle of the road kit with Eclipse fluid, I'll give that one a try and se if I need to upgrade later.

Many thanks.

[Photosbykev]

Pecpad swabs and Eclipse fluid is my main cleaning system but only after a Rocket blower or Artic butterfly has failed to remove the dust.

I probably clean my sensors a couple of times a month depending on what and where I've been taking photographs, I hate any sensor dust but I hate removing dust bunnies from photographs more!