Safe to clean the sensor?

[bgran8]

Is it safe to clean my 5d mark ii sensor with a kit like this?

http://www.amazon.com/Visible-Sensor-Cleaning-Liquid-Cleaner/dp/B002XJ2180/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1384541046&sr=8-6&keywords=sensor+cleaning+kit

Thanks.

 

[sunnyVan]

It's a good idea to try dry method before you attempt wet method. Try a blower first

 

[Sporgon]

I never clean the sensor myself. I'd rather let a service centre do it where the technicians have plenty of experience.

 

[duydaniel]

of course it is.
In order to get best result, you should leave your camera on a flat table parallel to the ground and your wiping path also parallel to the ground with slight pressuring.

If you want dry method, try:
http://www.amazon.com/DustAid-Platinum-DSLR-Sensor-Cleaner/dp/B0019K8YVM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1384544042&sr=8-1&keywords=dust+aid

 

[sunnyVan]

of course it is.
In order to get best result, you should leave your camera on a flat table parallel to the ground and your wiping path also parallel to the ground with slight pressuring.

If you want dry method, try:
http://www.amazon.com/DustAid-Platinum-DSLR-Sensor-Cleaner/dp/B0019K8YVM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1384544042&sr=8-1&keywords=dust+aid

I have this kit. It's not bad. It's basically just a specially made tape that picks up dirt. A blower works fine 90% of the time.

Wet method is ok but make sure the swipe is really clean, or you may scratch the sensor.

 

[Loswr]

http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2010/04/how-to-clean-a-camera-sensor

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

I clean my own sensors, but avoid wet cleaning whenever possible.

The reviews of the product look fake to me, particularly the one who claims the swab came out black.

I also take issue with those who say one swipe of the swab is all it takes. I find that 5 swabs is the usual number for a wet cleaning. The cleanliness of your work area, the swabs, and the solution are critical. Never use a swab twice. I ignored the advice the first time I tried (good swabs are expensive), and smeared dust over the whole surface.

The other thing to be concerned about is excessive cleaning solution, A very tiny amount is all you should use. If there is excess, it can run under the AA filter and its good bye sensor.

 

[extremeinstability]

Never had an issue doing the wet cleaning myself. Usually the blower gets things but sometimes there are a couple that are stuck. I'll then try a dry swab which usually works. If not couple drops on the swab and there it goes. Hardest part is just not streaking at all. I use the same swab many times without issue too. Think a sensor has to be pretty damn dirty to dirty up a swab too much to use it again.

All you can really do is muck up the clear cover if you somehow manage to do it badly(which is tough). Then send it in and get fixed in that rare event. Makes more sense than dumping $50 to a camera store each time. If that was even an option and you didn't need it cleaned right then.

 

[Hannes]

cleaning a sensor isn't rocket science. The only thing to be aware of with that kit is that it is very easy to get too much cleaning fluid on the swab and it leaves wet smears.

 

[Marsu42]

http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2010/04/how-to-clean-a-camera-sensor

^^^ this, I do it their way and it works just fine - why go for a fluid which might leave residue when the dry method works?

Cleaning a sensor so you it's spotless even @f32 and to all edges is more difficult as it seems though, but few of us will shoot uniform areas at closed aperture so that the specks show.

 

[jonathan7007]

Timely thread for me. Thanks for all the shared experience and kit suggestions. Blower first...