Reading mode: Light Dark

Don't use a Qtip to clean your sensor

Go to last post
B

bigwad

Forum Enthusiast
Messages
260
Reaction score
1
Location
US
I found out the hard way not to try and clean dust specs off the 10d sensor with a Qtip.

Evidentially there was something hard enough on the Qtip to cause an inch long scratch in the photos after my stupid move trying to get rid of those dust specs.

Sent the camera to canon repair out in California, after a month they contacted me and said I ruined the sensor and all they could do is replace it for over 1,000.

Don't ever try to clean that sensor with a Qtip, there is a chance you will ruin the thing and end up with a book end!
I don't think I'll ever forget this mistake.........
 
Hmmm....

I use medical qtips to clean the sensors on both of my cameras and have had no problems. Me thinks you were pushing a little to hard...
bigwad said:
I found out the hard way not to try and clean dust specs off the
10d sensor with a Qtip.
Evidentially there was something hard enough on the Qtip to cause
an inch long scratch in the photos after my stupid move trying to
get rid of those dust specs.
Sent the camera to canon repair out in California, after a month
they contacted me and said I ruined the sensor and all they could
do is replace it for over 1,000.
Don't ever try to clean that sensor with a Qtip, there is a chance
you will ruin the thing and end up with a book end!
I don't think I'll ever forget this mistake.........
Click to expand...
--
DaFlake
 
I use only a bulb to clean my sensor. Numerous dust spots have shown up over the year I've had the camera.. has it been a year.. got it the week it came out in the US.. anyway.. I knew never to touch the sensor.. it's just too big a gamble. Using a good bulb/blower has always done the trick.

Jim Radcliffe
http://www.image36.com
http://www.oceona.com
The ability to 'see' the shot is more important than the gear.
 
bigwad said:
I found out the hard way not to try and clean dust specs off the
10d sensor with a Qtip.
Evidentially there was something hard enough on the Qtip to cause
an inch long scratch in the photos after my stupid move trying to
get rid of those dust specs.
Sent the camera to canon repair out in California, after a month
they contacted me and said I ruined the sensor and all they could
do is replace it for over 1,000.
Don't ever try to clean that sensor with a Qtip, there is a chance
you will ruin the thing and end up with a book end!
I don't think I'll ever forget this mistake.........
Click to expand...
I use a Giottos Rocket Blower, nothing else.
--
http://www.lew.smugmug.com
 
Everytime we rub the sensor, we create static that will attract dust. We should only clean when dust show on the picture.

Serge
bigwad said:
I found out the hard way not to try and clean dust specs off the
10d sensor with a Qtip.
Evidentially there was something hard enough on the Qtip to cause
an inch long scratch in the photos after my stupid move trying to
get rid of those dust specs.
Sent the camera to canon repair out in California, after a month
they contacted me and said I ruined the sensor and all they could
do is replace it for over 1,000.
Don't ever try to clean that sensor with a Qtip, there is a chance
you will ruin the thing and end up with a book end!
I don't think I'll ever forget this mistake.........
Click to expand...
 
I blow and suck but never touch. Does that sound right :-)
bigwad said:
I found out the hard way not to try and clean dust specs off the
10d sensor with a Qtip.
Evidentially there was something hard enough on the Qtip to cause
an inch long scratch in the photos after my stupid move trying to
get rid of those dust specs.
Sent the camera to canon repair out in California, after a month
they contacted me and said I ruined the sensor and all they could
do is replace it for over 1,000.
Don't ever try to clean that sensor with a Qtip, there is a chance
you will ruin the thing and end up with a book end!
I don't think I'll ever forget this mistake.........
Click to expand...
 
vacuum cleaners are a no-no. They can do eral damage inside. I forget exactly what - I think they pull the shutter blades out.
Not from personal experience, just what I've read.
apara said:
I tried blowing and it did not work. All it did was move the dust
around into new spots. I finally tried the Copperhill method and
it worked wonders.

I don't clean my sensor often, but when I do, I have the rubber
gloves ready.

-AP_
http://www.myprofiles.com/profile/apara_business
Click to expand...
--
http://www.geocities.com/philrachsmith/
http://photobucket.com/albums/v56/PhilipSmith/
 
I'm going the same way. I cleaned the 20D sensor only twice in 6 months that way and use rubber gloves as well when doing so.

only my 2c
--
Please visit and comment my website: http://www.meview.de
apara said:
I tried blowing and it did not work. All it did was move the dust
around into new spots. I finally tried the Copperhill method and
it worked wonders.

I don't clean my sensor often, but when I do, I have the rubber
gloves ready.

-AP_
http://www.myprofiles.com/profile/apara_business
Click to expand...
--
Please visit and comment my website: http://www.meview.de
 
bigwad said:
I found out the hard way not to try and clean dust specs off the
10d sensor with a Qtip.
Evidentially there was something hard enough on the Qtip to cause
an inch long scratch in the photos after my stupid move trying to
get rid of those dust specs.
Sent the camera to canon repair out in California, after a month
they contacted me and said I ruined the sensor and all they could
do is replace it for over 1,000.
Don't ever try to clean that sensor with a Qtip, there is a chance
you will ruin the thing and end up with a book end!
I don't think I'll ever forget this mistake.........
Click to expand...
 
Really, hundreds?

It would be cool to start a thread for Q-tip success stories, that include the camera model. I don't think they would work well for models that have grease next to the sensor.

I used Q-tip last week on an Olympus e620 sensor. Worked very well. I put a few drops of ROR (residual oil remover) and gently rubbed. Then followed up with dry q-tip to remove the ROR haze. I think ROR maker claims it is for glass. I did not see any claims it is safe for sensor. e60 is not valuable, so I took a chance to use what I had on hand. Worked very well.

Of course, I tried the bulb blower first. Then I tried lens pen brush, which made it worse and added smudges (my fault for the way I stored it). Then the q-tips and ROR fixed it all.

Isn't cotton one of the softest fibers? I have a lighted magnifier so I would look at Q-tip first to see if i see any foreign debris is present, and if so, do not use.

I have since purchased sensor rated fluid (Eclipse), and clean-room-made swabs, in case I need to clean my more expensive cameras sensors. There are still risks.

One concern I would have with q-tips is if there is grease at the perimeter of the sensor. Because the q-tip could not be accurately confined at the border of sensor. I guess my e620 had no border grease. But I hear some sensors do.
 
This is a pretty impressive resurrection.
 
Jim Radcliffe said:
I use only a bulb to clean my sensor. Numerous dust spots have shown up over the year I've had the camera.. has it been a year.. got it the week it came out in the US.. anyway.. I knew never to touch the sensor.. it's just too big a gamble. Using a good bulb/blower has always done the trick.
Click to expand...
And definitely DON'T use a can of compressed air. It can leave residue behind.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Keyboard shortcuts

f
Forum
m
My threads
Mobile site
About
Editorial content
Cameras & Lenses
Community
All content, design, and layout are Copyright © 1998–2025 Digital Photography Review All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction in whole or part in any form or medium without specific written permission is prohibited.
When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission.
©GPS Media - Guides, Products, Services.
Back
Top