Cleaning sensor w/ Air

[Beth]

I know that this is an on-going discussion and I have followed them all. I have also looked up the thread on cleaning with compressed air. I know that I need to test the canned air on something other than the sensor first to be sure no moisture is coming from the can. I need to puff air gently on the sensor--not BLAST with it.

Do I use the plastic 'straw' that came with the can or not? Any particular cautions before I start? This is a first sensor clean for me and it's getting pretty dirty. I dare not wait much longer. I have used air, but not air under pressure. Air alone does nothing, so I'm hoping that canned air will do the trick. I prefer to not touch the sensor, if I can help it. Any tips or cautions on using air will be most appreciated!
Beth

--
Gallery: http://www.pbase.com/galleries/cokids

 

[Imakethem]

Beth,

Use the straw. Test the spray on a bathroom mirror before you use it in your camera. pretend that you are cleaning your sensor using the mirror as a test bed. This will show you weather or not your canned air leaves a residue, if it does, DON'T USE IT! It will also let you know if there is a point where it would spray something unwanted into your camera.

Be VERY carefull with canned air. Use it at your own risk.

Good luck,
Paul

I know that this is an on-going discussion and I have followed them
all. I have also looked up the thread on cleaning with compressed
air. I know that I need to test the canned air on something other
than the sensor first to be sure no moisture is coming from the
can. I need to puff air gently on the sensor--not BLAST with it.

Do I use the plastic 'straw' that came with the can or not? Any
particular cautions before I start? This is a first sensor clean
for me and it's getting pretty dirty. I dare not wait much longer.
I have used air, but not air under pressure. Air alone does
nothing, so I'm hoping that canned air will do the trick. I prefer
to not touch the sensor, if I can help it. Any tips or cautions on
using air will be most appreciated!
Beth

--
Gallery: http://www.pbase.com/galleries/cokids

 

[RichW]

Use the straw. Test the spray on a bathroom mirror before you use
it in your camera. pretend that you are cleaning your sensor using
the mirror as a test bed. This will show you weather or not your
canned air leaves a residue, if it does, DON'T USE IT! It will also
let you know if there is a point where it would spray something
unwanted into your camera.

Be VERY carefull with canned air. Use it at your own risk.

Good luck,
Paul

I know that this is an on-going discussion and I have followed them
all. I have also looked up the thread on cleaning with compressed
air. I know that I need to test the canned air on something other
than the sensor first to be sure no moisture is coming from the
can. I need to puff air gently on the sensor--not BLAST with it.

Do I use the plastic 'straw' that came with the can or not? Any
particular cautions before I start? This is a first sensor clean
for me and it's getting pretty dirty. I dare not wait much longer.
I have used air, but not air under pressure. Air alone does
nothing, so I'm hoping that canned air will do the trick. I prefer
to not touch the sensor, if I can help it. Any tips or cautions on
using air will be most appreciated!
Beth

--
Gallery: http://www.pbase.com/galleries/cokids

 

[Bob Haverford]

I use Mishkin2's modification of Nicholas R.'s method described here:

http://www.pbase.com/image/15899646

This method works absolutely GREAT! I tried it recently with PERFECT results. I have no idea where all the dust on my sensor came from, but I had a ton ALL of which is gone. Thanks to Mishkin and Nicholas.

I would strongly advise against blowing. The risks of blowing dust into inaccessible places where it can adversely affect image quality it too great. The method above is simpler, faster, and takes all the guess work out of where the dust is located. Total kit cost less than $15 and it should last the life of the camera.

BTW, I store my "kit" in ziploc bags for protection against the dust.

I know that this is an on-going discussion and I have followed them
all. I have also looked up the thread on cleaning with compressed
air. I know that I need to test the canned air on something other
than the sensor first to be sure no moisture is coming from the
can. I need to puff air gently on the sensor--not BLAST with it.

Do I use the plastic 'straw' that came with the can or not? Any
particular cautions before I start? This is a first sensor clean
for me and it's getting pretty dirty. I dare not wait much longer.
I have used air, but not air under pressure. Air alone does
nothing, so I'm hoping that canned air will do the trick. I prefer
to not touch the sensor, if I can help it. Any tips or cautions on
using air will be most appreciated!
Beth

--
Gallery: http://www.pbase.com/galleries/cokids

 

[Nickle S.]

I use Mishkin2's modification of Nicholas R.'s method described here:

http://www.pbase.com/image/15899646

This method works absolutely GREAT! I tried it recently with
PERFECT results. I have no idea where all the dust on my sensor
came from, but I had a ton ALL of which is gone. Thanks to Mishkin
and Nicholas.

I would strongly advise against blowing. The risks of blowing dust
into inaccessible places where it can adversely affect image
quality it too great. The method above is simpler, faster, and
takes all the guess work out of where the dust is located. Total
kit cost less than $15 and it should last the life of the camera.

BTW, I store my "kit" in ziploc bags for protection against the dust.

Beth,

I have to go along with Bob all the way here. Why would you take the chance of disabling you camera with one burst of propellant?
I'll let this thread explain exactly what could happen:

http://www.nikonians.org/cgi-bin/dcforum/dcboard.cgi?az=read_count&om=1998&forum=DCForumID71&viewmode=threaded
Nicholas

 

[Nickle S.]

I use Mishkin2's modification of Nicholas R.'s method described here:

http://www.pbase.com/image/15899646

This method works absolutely GREAT! I tried it recently with
PERFECT results. I have no idea where all the dust on my sensor
came from, but I had a ton ALL of which is gone. Thanks to Mishkin
and Nicholas.

I would strongly advise against blowing. The risks of blowing dust
into inaccessible places where it can adversely affect image
quality it too great. The method above is simpler, faster, and
takes all the guess work out of where the dust is located. Total
kit cost less than $15 and it should last the life of the camera.

BTW, I store my "kit" in ziploc bags for protection against the dust.

Beth,
I have to go along with Bob all the way here. Why would you take
the chance of disabling you camera with one burst of propellant?
I'll let this thread explain exactly what could happen:

http://www.nikonians.org/cgi-bin/dcforum/dcboard.cgi?az=read_count&om=1998&forum=DCForumID71&viewmode=threaded
Nicholas

 

[nick_eos168552]

i used canned air to clean computer kit and theres no way i would let it near my sensor, hold the can the wrong way and u get a blast of proplent that leaves a very nasty residue and would probably react with the sensor as well

I know that this is an on-going discussion and I have followed them
all. I have also looked up the thread on cleaning with compressed
air. I know that I need to test the canned air on something other
than the sensor first to be sure no moisture is coming from the
can. I need to puff air gently on the sensor--not BLAST with it.

Do I use the plastic 'straw' that came with the can or not? Any
particular cautions before I start? This is a first sensor clean
for me and it's getting pretty dirty. I dare not wait much longer.
I have used air, but not air under pressure. Air alone does
nothing, so I'm hoping that canned air will do the trick. I prefer
to not touch the sensor, if I can help it. Any tips or cautions on
using air will be most appreciated!
Beth

--
Gallery: http://www.pbase.com/galleries/cokids

 

[Beth]

Confusion! I read some threads that say, "Don't touch the sensor with anything, but air! Canon cleans with air," then I read your responses that say that it's really risky to use air. What to believe????

If I decide to go the Pec Pad/Eclipse route, do you think it possible to purchase both at a camera store or should I expect to have to mail order supplies? I REALLY can't wait too much longer to make up my mind about cleaning. I've had my 1D since January and have not yet cleaned it. It needs it BADLY!

Beth

I know that this is an on-going discussion and I have followed them
all. I have also looked up the thread on cleaning with compressed
air. I know that I need to test the canned air on something other
than the sensor first to be sure no moisture is coming from the
can. I need to puff air gently on the sensor--not BLAST with it.

Do I use the plastic 'straw' that came with the can or not? Any
particular cautions before I start? This is a first sensor clean
for me and it's getting pretty dirty. I dare not wait much longer.
I have used air, but not air under pressure. Air alone does
nothing, so I'm hoping that canned air will do the trick. I prefer
to not touch the sensor, if I can help it. Any tips or cautions on
using air will be most appreciated!
Beth

--
Gallery: http://www.pbase.com/galleries/cokids

--
Gallery: http://www.pbase.com/galleries/cokids

 

[Nickle S.]

Confusion! I read some threads that say, "Don't touch the sensor
with anything, but air! Canon cleans with air," then I read your
responses that say that it's really risky to use air. What to
believe????

If I decide to go the Pec Pad/Eclipse route, do you think it
possible to purchase both at a camera store or should I expect to
have to mail order supplies? I REALLY can't wait too much longer to
make up my mind about cleaning. I've had my 1D since January and
have not yet cleaned it. It needs it BADLY!

Beth

Beth,

I hate to say this, but, you can't believe everything you read (especially in the Canon and Nikon user manuals). They've got their hind-quarters covered to the max when they say to use canned air, but be very careful not to hold the can at ANY angle besides a 90 degree.

Try not to be too hasty deciding what to do about the dust. If you go with the canned air, hopefully, the worst case situation would be propellant on the CMOS. At that point, you would HAVE to send it to Canon for cleaning.
Nicholas

 

[TonyK_in_Texas]

Hi Beth,

The problem with MOST canned air is the propellent that is used. If that were to escape (and it will) while in use, it can damage the sensor. At best it will entail a bigger cleaning effort as now you have to resort to sensor pads and Eclipse fluid.

I have heard people using the CO2 cartridges ( remember the old BB guns?) and they get good results from those. Not sure how to rig a delivery system though.

Have you tried a hurricane blower? I saw one at Wolf the other day.

IF you do use canned air, be very careful, do it in short bursts and if the can starts feeling cool, stop using it. Let it warm back up in your hand.

Also, I've seen advice about NOT shaking the can before use.

Good luck,

If I decide to go the Pec Pad/Eclipse route, do you think it
possible to purchase both at a camera store or should I expect to
have to mail order supplies? I REALLY can't wait too much longer to
make up my mind about cleaning. I've had my 1D since January and
have not yet cleaned it. It needs it BADLY!

Beth

I know that this is an on-going discussion and I have followed them
all. I have also looked up the thread on cleaning with compressed
air. I know that I need to test the canned air on something other
than the sensor first to be sure no moisture is coming from the
can. I need to puff air gently on the sensor--not BLAST with it.

Do I use the plastic 'straw' that came with the can or not? Any
particular cautions before I start? This is a first sensor clean
for me and it's getting pretty dirty. I dare not wait much longer.
I have used air, but not air under pressure. Air alone does
nothing, so I'm hoping that canned air will do the trick. I prefer
to not touch the sensor, if I can help it. Any tips or cautions on
using air will be most appreciated!
Beth

--
Gallery: http://www.pbase.com/galleries/cokids

--
Gallery: http://www.pbase.com/galleries/cokids

--
TonyK

 

[TonyK_in_Texas]

Here is a link for the CO2 cartridges and a delivery system. This is the way I would go. In fact, I am toying with myself to buy this.

http://www.americanrecorder.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=10&products_id=80&PHPSESSID=ea77c311063349b98c1b09b2872dfc45

Take care.

PS: Please do not use canned air!

If I decide to go the Pec Pad/Eclipse route, do you think it
possible to purchase both at a camera store or should I expect to
have to mail order supplies? I REALLY can't wait too much longer to
make up my mind about cleaning. I've had my 1D since January and
have not yet cleaned it. It needs it BADLY!

Beth

I know that this is an on-going discussion and I have followed them
all. I have also looked up the thread on cleaning with compressed
air. I know that I need to test the canned air on something other
than the sensor first to be sure no moisture is coming from the
can. I need to puff air gently on the sensor--not BLAST with it.

Do I use the plastic 'straw' that came with the can or not? Any
particular cautions before I start? This is a first sensor clean
for me and it's getting pretty dirty. I dare not wait much longer.
I have used air, but not air under pressure. Air alone does
nothing, so I'm hoping that canned air will do the trick. I prefer
to not touch the sensor, if I can help it. Any tips or cautions on
using air will be most appreciated!
Beth

--
Gallery: http://www.pbase.com/galleries/cokids

--
Gallery: http://www.pbase.com/galleries/cokids

--
TonyK

 

[Dave Lloyd111804]

Beth,

I was in your shoes about 4 days ago. I had what looked like some big black spots on pix from my 10D. Went round and round with how to proceed, the more you read the boards the more you get confused. I was at Fred Miranda's board and he said that he has been using compressed air for a long while. His advice was not to tilt the can and only pull the trigger about a fourth of the way.

Well I made sure I had a full can of air tried a few practice runs on the bathroom mirror to make sure no moisture was coming out. I did the proceedure in the bathroom because there are no rugs in there. Anyway I removed the lens set it to sesor cleaning mode and went to work. Made to passes across the sensor going from top left to bottom right.... The result a clean sensor. Just be careful with the compressed air. But it worked for me. Not as bad as I thought it would be.

Good luck

Dave

 

[Steve Haehnichen]

Unless you use special CO2 cylinders, most of them contain a small amount of machine oil. I don't know if it is intentional or not, but after discharging them, there is always some oil film left over.

Maybe it lubes the pellet guns or something.

In any case, I've been content with the squeeze-bulbs. Any sticky dust will require wiping anyway.

 

[Laurie Sokoloff]

Hi Beth - I'm not quite dusty enough with my 1Ds, but I'll be there soon, I have no doubt. When I do clean, I'll probably wipe. But I'm surprised no one has mentioned ReAir yet. It's compressed air in a can with no propellant. You pump up the pressure through a valve on the bottom of the can, using a hand pump which is supplied. Here's one place that sells it:

http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/default.asp?edc=307088

If I use air, that's what I'll use. I've also seen it recommended to do the cleaning in a "clean room" environment. I've read that running the shower with cold water for 10 minutes moistens the air just enough to sink any dust particles flying about. Sounds like good advice.

Good luck, and please let me know how you make out.
--
Best,
Laurie

 

[Dave Lloyd111804]

Hi Beth - I'm not quite dusty enough with my 1Ds, but I'll be there
soon, I have no doubt. When I do clean, I'll probably wipe. But
I'm surprised no one has mentioned ReAir yet. It's compressed air
in a can with no propellant. You pump up the pressure through a
valve on the bottom of the can, using a hand pump which is
supplied. Here's one place that sells it:

Laurie,

My only concern would be about the air going into the ReAir Can is it filtered? if not it could contain a lot of dust from the room. Also I've heard that the pressure you get from the ReAir can isn't that great.

Dave

 

[Diane B]

Hi Beth - I'm not quite dusty enough with my 1Ds, but I'll be there
soon, I have no doubt. When I do clean, I'll probably wipe. But
I'm surprised no one has mentioned ReAir yet. It's compressed air
in a can with no propellant. You pump up the pressure through a
valve on the bottom of the can, using a hand pump which is
supplied. Here's one place that sells it:

http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/default.asp?edc=307088

If I use air, that's what I'll use. I've also seen it recommended
to do the cleaning in a "clean room" environment. I've read that
running the shower with cold water for 10 minutes moistens the air
just enough to sink any dust particles flying about. Sounds like
good advice.

Good luck, and please let me know how you make out.
--
Best,
Laurie

I was going to use ReAir, but there was a thread maybe last Fall or Winter--person who bought it didn't like it at all--and several others said that it DID contain propellants. The major gripe, though, as i recall, was that it just wsn't much more than the blower bulbs as I recall.

Beth, I ordered my Eclipse a good while ago--it came in just 2 or 3 days along with Pec pads. I plan to use it with a piece of credit card, but blowing with an ear bulb has been good so far.
--
Diane B
http://www.pbase.com/picnic/galleries
B/W lover, but color is seducing me

 

[Laurie Sokoloff]

Laurie,

My only concern would be about the air going into the ReAir Can is
it filtered? if not it could contain a lot of dust from the room.
Also I've heard that the pressure you get from the ReAir can isn't
that great.

Dave

Hi Dave -

Well, as I said, using air wouldn't be my choice. But I would think the risks to the camera from using too much pressure would be substantially greater than not enough. Filtering is an interesting question, that I haven't seen discussed. But I would guess that if you pump up the can in the "clean room" environment, that might minimize any dust sucked up in the process?? I am just hypothesizing, though.

On another 1Ds forum I read of someone who leaves his 1.4X extender on permanently. It's tempting . . . but clearly defeats the purpose of spending all that money for a full-frame camera! Think I'd rather swab...

--
Best,
Laurie

 

[Jimx]

--
Jim
http://www.SopersHosta.com

 

[Imakethem]

Compressed air even from an "oil-free compressor" will still have alot of moisture in it.

Unless you can do in in a humidity free area.

The Pec pads are probably the best method, and safest!!

Paul

--
Jim
http://www.SopersHosta.com

 

[Laurie Sokoloff]

I was going to use ReAir, but there was a thread maybe last Fall or
Winter--person who bought it didn't like it at all--and several
others said that it DID contain propellants. The major gripe,
though, as i recall, was that it just wsn't much more than the
blower bulbs as I recall.

Hi Diane,

I just checked the can, and it claims to have absolutely no propellants or chemicals of any kind - just air. The air that I get out of it definitely seems to me to be more powerful than my Rocket bulb blower - fully "pumped" to 100psi, anyway. But as I said, I'm not really tempted to go this route anyway.

--
Best,
Laurie