Its that time of year for purchasing

[juanita]

few little extra things for your setup...I know we've had this conversation about 'Sensor dust cleaners"...I have been doing some research on this and cannot decide on what is best. I have a regular blower but it simply is not doing the job. I've also done the swabs, that makes me nervous...I need some advice from trusted fellow photographers who has experienced what works best for them...I'd like a system that works and cost will not be a big factor.


Thanks

Juanita

[Steve (FloppyDog)]

If you have one, an airbrush works great for sensor cleaning.

[juanita]

Thanks Steve-I looked that airbrush-do you mean a sensor brush like from Arctic Butterfly???
Arctic Butterfly 724 Sensor Brush

[Steve (FloppyDog)]

Feb 4, 2010 15:59:25 GMT -5 juanita said:

Thanks Steve-I looked that airbrush-do you mean a sensor brush like from Arctic Butterfly???
Arctic Butterfly 724 Sensor Brush

Nope, just a regular plain ol' airbrush, like the ones you buy at any craft shop.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airbrush

[Steve (FloppyDog)]

The Arctic Butterfly one you posted the link to is cool, but personally I think it's a lot of money just to clean a sensor. At least with a regular air brush, you can use it for other things.

[NCPhotoTrekker]

Don't use an airbrush. I used to paint models with one and I know how much moisture comes through the compressor into the air line. You don't see it, but the filter gets soaked over time. The fine mist will stick things to the sensor which will have to be swabbed off. The force of the air could also cause problems.

The Arctic Butterfly is great and very simple to use. I picked one up a while ago and love it for basic cleanings. I try to avoid having things stick so I use a Giottos Rocket Blower for the most part if I see something on my sensor which is rare.

[Steve (FloppyDog)]

Using air brushes is not uncommon, but I can only speak from my own experiences. I've used one for years for cleaning optics, meter sensors, shutter curtains, mirrors, and later my digital camera sensors without any problems. (air brush meaning the compressed air type, not liquid propelled cleaners like "Dust-off") To this day I've never had to touch a sensor to clean it.

I used a cheap air blower when I first went digital which seemed at first like it worked well. Eventually, I concluded that mostly it was just shifting the dust around inside the camera being that sometimes it only took a few days until it needed cleaning again. It was apparent that more air was needed to actually get the dust out which was why I switched to the air brush.

Please don't get me wrong, I'm not saying it's fool-proof. I'm only saying that I've personally had nothing but good results with an air brush, and their are many photographers that go this route. I don't think there really is a fool-proof way to clean sensors aside from taking your camera to a shop that will guarantee their work.

[NCPhotoTrekker]

You are right Flop....any time you deal with the sensor you are taking a certain amount of risk. As far as the air brush goes, you are right, there are lots of guys out there that use one. I've read much fewer opinions like mine which puts me in the minority. I haven't used one a camera before, and the moisture issues I've seen come from extended use paiting models. I doubt that anyone would clean a sensor for that kind of time frame. However, I've seen moisture get trapped in the water filter, and have seen it spit from the airbrush (only a couple of times though).

Juanita, all of the information here is good, and all suggestions have good points and bad. Make your decisions based on what works best for you. Whatever you decide, just be cautious with the sensor exposed, and follow the directions for manual sensor cleaning to a "t" as it reads in the manual. This will prevent accidental mechanical damage to the sensor and shutter.

[juanita]

Thank you both for the suggestions. It will surely beat the price of taking it to someone to have it done. One place I took to a Canon dealer, charged $10 he used a swab and a Nikon dealer who charged $40 and used the 'charging' method. Over time it will be a savings for me.

[john101477]

I am gonna chime in here. I am tired so I hope my spelling is on. When i bought my D90 I got to talking to the sales guy about cleaning and kits etc. I also asked if they as dealers were able to clean them. His answer to me was yes they do clean them, yes it cost $50, and all they use is the puffer kit. He went on to tell me (which did not make me happy) that the only real way to clean it was to actually send it to nikon. He said a when they do the cleanings which is quite extensive, that they also inspect for problems and unusual wear. The sales guy told me using light air pressure through the year is ok but to really clean it, it should be sent in. That being said and having hit the backspace 13 times, I am gonna try to get some sleep.

[NCPhotoTrekker]

John, you are right that a proper cleaning can only be done by the manufacturer or one of their authorized service centers. However, this cleaning is one where the entire camera is stripped, cleaned, lubed (if needed), checked and reassembled. A simple sensor cleaning is something that can be accomplished by the user, or any competent shop. The sensor is actually easy to get to, and to service...although quite delicate.

Something else to keep in mind with air around the sensor is that you might be pushing dust particles into crevices that were clean before the "cleaning". This is why I really like the Arctic Butterfly. The particles stay on the brush due to the static electricity and can be safely removed and spun away.

[john101477]

The arctic Butterfly just seems extremely expensive for what it is. I guess thats what you pay for someone else to think this stuff up though....

[NCPhotoTrekker]

A man at a golf course once told me that any kind of yard equipment that had "golf course" in its application list was going to cost twice as much as any other commercial landscaping equipment. I guess the same goes for photography. If it is designed for it, then it will cost more than it should.

The Butterfly is expensive, although not terribly. I think I got mine for $130. It has a nice LED light on it which provides a working light for the sensor area. the motor is nice and strong and the bristles are well designed to shed dirt and dust without the need to wipe it on anything which could deposit more dirt on the sensor.

Since this is a product that can be used many many times it will pay for itself over a few years of service with normal use. If you pay $50.00 for a cleaning, if you can do it at home for three times, you've made your money back. I love the convenience of not having to be without my equipment for something so simple as a sensor cleaning.

[Steve (FloppyDog)]

I've been looking at the Arctic Butterfly and might eat my words and get one. It's been getting rave reviews.

[john101477]

Yeah I watched some video and looked it up on amazon as well. the SL 700 is about $75 with out the light. 724 with light is about $110. I also watched some video on their Vswab and solutions. pretty cools stuff for a once in a while deeper cleaning, where as the Arctic Brush could be used daily. They sure do play up the part of the lighted 7x glass though but for $84 I will use a modeling magnifier.