Dust on the sensor?

[Cerafine95]

Thank you all, for your information and advice!

 

[aSevenArr]

While I do think that FF mirrorless cameras are more prone to dust { they are much more exposed so not really a surprise } . I find that mostly I can control this by a quick blow with a rocket blower or similar device, at the end of a shoot. Ido have to wet clean a little more but really with a little practice and common sense it is not very difficult at all.

I watched the YouTube video on how the Sony A9 is made.

At the end of the assembly line is a gal who checks the sensor for any specks of dust. I saw her using a thin sticky ‘wand-like’ tool to pick of any individual little spots - I assume that it had a sticky gel or similar tackiness on the end.

I wish that Sony sold that tool to the public (hint hint Sony if your listening?).

I haven't seen the video, but it sounds like they were probably using one of the gel sensor cleaners that have been developed for Sony sensors by people like Eyelead:

https://www.amazon.com.au/Eyelead-SCK-1B-Cleaning-Mirrorless-Cameras/dp/B01M3XB4FJ

They're pretty effective - often dealing with deposits that a puff from a rocket-blower won't shift. And a fair bit quicker and easier (though not quite as effective) as wet cleaning with a swab...

No ... it was much thinner and much more focused... like a clear sticky wand. Perfect for targeting just a single tiny spot. She was picking out spot by spot (watch the video).

Yes I have one of those tools in your link... I don’t use it after reading some bad reviews.

Ok, interesting - and thanks for clarifying.

Do you have a link to the video you are referencing?

I have read reports that the gel tool you referenced can leave sticky residue on the sensor and the Sony tech who showed me how he personally cleaned sensors said that he "would never use one of those" .. he recommended that I do it his way. Consequently mine is still sitting there brand new and unused.

 

[phototeacher]

grasj wrote:

Anyone has experience with the Cleaning Mode feature of the cameras? Haven't seen it in this thread.

This feature shakes the sensor (helpful!), and also locks the sensor if you need to do wet cleaning or use a gel stick. Turn off the camera when finished.

To clarify: Are you saying that if you're doing a swab cleaning you should first run the camera's cleaning cycle, and then leave the camera on to do the swab work? Then turn it off when finished with the swabs?

 

[aSevenArr]

Unfirtunately my brand new A7/3 came with dust on the sensor. I tried to clear it using a blower but it got worse and ended up as smudges.

I had to take it in Harrisons in Sheffield who kindly cleaned it for me (at a charge of £30 of course). The retailer compensated me for the trouble.

I used to have a Canon 70D which was somewhat better at keeping dist out and its cleaning mechanism cleared dust 70% of the time.

Sounds like something greasy perhaps from the manufacturing process.

The Sony tech told me use a gentle double sweep with a (he used a couple of drops of Eclipse) moistened fresh swab.

Repeat this process until clean. Don't panic... it sometimes takes several wipes.

Anyway... that's almost certainly exactly what they did simply out of your sight at the store for 30 GBP.

My feeling ... it's much better to figure out how to do it yourself. You might not be near any open camera stores when next you find spots on the silly thing. Or worse ... some ham fisted "tech" at the store might do some damage that is not immediately obvious.

 

[James Stirling]

While I do think that FF mirrorless cameras are more prone to dust { they are much more exposed so not really a surprise } . I find that mostly I can control this by a quick blow with a rocket blower or similar device, at the end of a shoot. Ido have to wet clean a little more but really with a little practice and common sense it is not very difficult at all.

I watched the YouTube video on how the Sony A9 is made.

At the end of the assembly line is a gal who checks the sensor for any specks of dust. I saw her using a thin sticky ‘wand-like’ tool to pick of any individual little spots - I assume that it had a sticky gel or similar tackiness on the end.

I wish that Sony sold that tool to the public (hint hint Sony if your listening?).

I haven't seen the video, but it sounds like they were probably using one of the gel sensor cleaners that have been developed for Sony sensors by people like Eyelead:

https://www.amazon.com.au/Eyelead-SCK-1B-Cleaning-Mirrorless-Cameras/dp/B01M3XB4FJ

They're pretty effective - often dealing with deposits that a puff from a rocket-blower won't shift. And a fair bit quicker and easier (though not quite as effective) as wet cleaning with a swab...

No ... it was much thinner and much more focused... like a clear sticky wand. Perfect for targeting just a single tiny spot. She was picking out spot by spot (watch the video).

Yes I have one of those tools in your link... I don’t use it after reading some bad reviews.

Ok, interesting - and thanks for clarifying.

Do you have a link to the video you are referencing?

I have read reports that the gel tool you referenced can leave sticky residue on the sensor and the Sony tech who showed me how he personally cleaned sensors said that he "would never use one of those" .. he recommended that I do it his way. Consequently mine is still sitting there brand new and unused.

Could it be a static process where the small clear rod attracts dust particles ?

 

[aSevenArr]

While I do think that FF mirrorless cameras are more prone to dust { they are much more exposed so not really a surprise } . I find that mostly I can control this by a quick blow with a rocket blower or similar device, at the end of a shoot. Ido have to wet clean a little more but really with a little practice and common sense it is not very difficult at all.

I watched the YouTube video on how the Sony A9 is made.

At the end of the assembly line is a gal who checks the sensor for any specks of dust. I saw her using a thin sticky ‘wand-like’ tool to pick of any individual little spots - I assume that it had a sticky gel or similar tackiness on the end.

I wish that Sony sold that tool to the public (hint hint Sony if your listening?).

I haven't seen the video, but it sounds like they were probably using one of the gel sensor cleaners that have been developed for Sony sensors by people like Eyelead:

https://www.amazon.com.au/Eyelead-SCK-1B-Cleaning-Mirrorless-Cameras/dp/B01M3XB4FJ

They're pretty effective - often dealing with deposits that a puff from a rocket-blower won't shift. And a fair bit quicker and easier (though not quite as effective) as wet cleaning with a swab...

No ... it was much thinner and much more focused... like a clear sticky wand. Perfect for targeting just a single tiny spot. She was picking out spot by spot (watch the video).

Yes I have one of those tools in your link... I don’t use it after reading some bad reviews.

Ok, interesting - and thanks for clarifying.

Do you have a link to the video you are referencing?

I have read reports that the gel tool you referenced can leave sticky residue on the sensor and the Sony tech who showed me how he personally cleaned sensors said that he "would never use one of those" .. he recommended that I do it his way. Consequently mine is still sitting there brand new and unused.

Could it be a static process where the small clear rod attracts dust particles ?

Wow... that might just work! Something like a Delrin or Acetate rod perhaps?

You might have yourself a commercially viable product there

Or... on the other hand might a static discharge damage the sensor? I have no idea.

 

[aSevenArr]

grasj wrote:

Anyone has experience with the Cleaning Mode feature of the cameras? Haven't seen it in this thread.

This feature shakes the sensor (helpful!), and also locks the sensor if you need to do wet cleaning or use a gel stick. Turn off the camera when finished.

To clarify: Are you saying that if you're doing a swab cleaning you should first run the camera's cleaning cycle, and then leave the camera on to do the swab work? Then turn it off when finished with the swabs?

I don't even bother with the cleaning mode vibrator thingy ... in my experience it's next to completely useless at removing clinging particles that can be easily dislodged by a little puff of air.

Keep in mind that your 'in-body stabilized' sensor is pretty much bouncing around all the time ...

 

[Austinian]

Or... on the other hand might a static discharge damage the sensor? I have no idea.

The semiconductor industry spends a lot of time and money guarding against electrostatic discharge problems; I wouldn't care to risk it.

 

[aSevenArr]

Or... on the other hand might a static discharge damage the sensor? I have no idea.

The semiconductor industry spends a lot of time and money guarding against electrostatic discharge problems; I wouldn't care to risk it.

Yes.. I'm quite happy doing it the Sony tech way.

Air puffs first and then a wet wipe if that fails. It's all you'll ever need in my experience.

 

[James Stirling]

While I do think that FF mirrorless cameras are more prone to dust { they are much more exposed so not really a surprise } . I find that mostly I can control this by a quick blow with a rocket blower or similar device, at the end of a shoot. Ido have to wet clean a little more but really with a little practice and common sense it is not very difficult at all.

I watched the YouTube video on how the Sony A9 is made.

At the end of the assembly line is a gal who checks the sensor for any specks of dust. I saw her using a thin sticky ‘wand-like’ tool to pick of any individual little spots - I assume that it had a sticky gel or similar tackiness on the end.

I wish that Sony sold that tool to the public (hint hint Sony if your listening?).

I haven't seen the video, but it sounds like they were probably using one of the gel sensor cleaners that have been developed for Sony sensors by people like Eyelead:

https://www.amazon.com.au/Eyelead-SCK-1B-Cleaning-Mirrorless-Cameras/dp/B01M3XB4FJ

They're pretty effective - often dealing with deposits that a puff from a rocket-blower won't shift. And a fair bit quicker and easier (though not quite as effective) as wet cleaning with a swab...

No ... it was much thinner and much more focused... like a clear sticky wand. Perfect for targeting just a single tiny spot. She was picking out spot by spot (watch the video).

Yes I have one of those tools in your link... I don’t use it after reading some bad reviews.

Ok, interesting - and thanks for clarifying.

Do you have a link to the video you are referencing?

I have read reports that the gel tool you referenced can leave sticky residue on the sensor and the Sony tech who showed me how he personally cleaned sensors said that he "would never use one of those" .. he recommended that I do it his way. Consequently mine is still sitting there brand new and unused.

Could it be a static process where the small clear rod attracts dust particles ?

Wow... that might just work! Something like a Delrin or Acetate rod perhaps?

You might have yourself a commercially viable product there

Or... on the other hand might a static discharge damage the sensor? I have no idea.

Alas I have no idea either just looking at the video gave that impression There is the old silk scarf glass rod experiments we did in school along these lines, so you could see in theory how something like this could work or not

 

[Fotozone]

HI all, I just use the rocket blower and have never had to clean the sensor (knock on wood!) more than that. One other point, FWIW, I NEVER change lenses or blow my sensor without first turning the camera OFF. Right or wrong, an energized sensor will attract more dust than a de-energized sensor!! IMHO!! Tom

 

[aSevenArr]

While I do think that FF mirrorless cameras are more prone to dust { they are much more exposed so not really a surprise } . I find that mostly I can control this by a quick blow with a rocket blower or similar device, at the end of a shoot. Ido have to wet clean a little more but really with a little practice and common sense it is not very difficult at all.

I watched the YouTube video on how the Sony A9 is made.

At the end of the assembly line is a gal who checks the sensor for any specks of dust. I saw her using a thin sticky ‘wand-like’ tool to pick of any individual little spots - I assume that it had a sticky gel or similar tackiness on the end.

I wish that Sony sold that tool to the public (hint hint Sony if your listening?).

I haven't seen the video, but it sounds like they were probably using one of the gel sensor cleaners that have been developed for Sony sensors by people like Eyelead:

https://www.amazon.com.au/Eyelead-SCK-1B-Cleaning-Mirrorless-Cameras/dp/B01M3XB4FJ

They're pretty effective - often dealing with deposits that a puff from a rocket-blower won't shift. And a fair bit quicker and easier (though not quite as effective) as wet cleaning with a swab...

No ... it was much thinner and much more focused... like a clear sticky wand. Perfect for targeting just a single tiny spot. She was picking out spot by spot (watch the video).

Yes I have one of those tools in your link... I don’t use it after reading some bad reviews.

Ok, interesting - and thanks for clarifying.

Do you have a link to the video you are referencing?

I have read reports that the gel tool you referenced can leave sticky residue on the sensor and the Sony tech who showed me how he personally cleaned sensors said that he "would never use one of those" .. he recommended that I do it his way. Consequently mine is still sitting there brand new and unused.

Could it be a static process where the small clear rod attracts dust particles ?

Wow... that might just work! Something like a Delrin or Acetate rod perhaps?

You might have yourself a commercially viable product there

Or... on the other hand might a static discharge damage the sensor? I have no idea.

Alas I have no idea either just looking at the video gave that impression There is the old silk scarf glass rod experiments we did in school along these lines, so you could see in theory how something like this could work or not

On reflection the "Arctic Butterfly" product claims to use statically charged bristles to collect particles. Similar concept.

 

[SilvanBromide]

Anyone has experience with the Cleaning Mode feature of the cameras? Haven't seen it in this thread.

This feature shakes the sensor (helpful!), and also locks the sensor if you need to do wet cleaning or use a gel stick. Turn off the camera when finished.

To clarify: Are you saying that if you're doing a swab cleaning you should first run the camera's cleaning cycle, and then leave the camera on to do the swab work? Then turn it off when finished with the swabs?

That's correct.

It's important to run the cleaning cycle from the menu first, and leave the camera on afterward before attempting manual cleaning.

Doing that disables IBIS and locks the sensor in place so that it won't be moving freely while you're trying to wipe or touch-clean it (e.g. with a specialised brush, blower and/or brush).

After you finish cleaning, power off and on again and that releases the sensor lock.

 

[SilvanBromide]

HI all, I just use the rocket blower and have never had to clean the sensor (knock on wood!) more than that. One other point, FWIW, I NEVER change lenses or blow my sensor without first turning the camera OFF. Right or wrong, an energized sensor will attract more dust than a de-energized sensor!! IMHO!! Tom

Agreed.

I also do that, except on rare occasions when I forget to turn off before a lens change.

It's been my experience that when I do forget, I'm more likely to end up with particles on the sensor, so I think that's anecdotal confirmation of your theory... ; )

 

[phototeacher]

Magnar W, post: 61828054, member: 1629647"]
This feature shakes the sensor (helpful!), and also locks the sensor if you need to do wet cleaning or use a gel stick. Turn off the camera when finished.

To clarify: Are you saying that if you're doing a swab cleaning you should first run the camera's cleaning cycle, and then leave the camera on to do the swab work? Then turn it off when finished with the swabs?

That's correct.

It's important to run the cleaning cycle from the menu first, and leave the camera on afterward before attempting manual cleaning.

Doing that disables IBIS and locks the sensor in place so that it won't be moving freely while you're trying to wipe or touch-clean it (e.g. with a specialised brush, blower and/or brush).

After you finish cleaning, power off and on again and that releases the sensor lock.
[/QUOTE]
Thanks for the clarification. So far I have only had to use the blower, but I wanted to be sure of the procedure if a more 'dramatic' cleaning is needed!

 

[SilvanBromide]

This feature shakes the sensor (helpful!), and also locks the sensor if you need to do wet cleaning or use a gel stick. Turn off the camera when finished.

To clarify: Are you saying that if you're doing a swab cleaning you should first run the camera's cleaning cycle, and then leave the camera on to do the swab work? Then turn it off when finished with the swabs?

That's correct.

It's important to run the cleaning cycle from the menu first, and leave the camera on afterward before attempting manual cleaning.

Doing that disables IBIS and locks the sensor in place so that it won't be moving freely while you're trying to wipe or touch-clean it (e.g. with a specialised brush, blower and/or brush).

After you finish cleaning, power off and on again and that releases the sensor lock.

Thanks for the clarification. So far I have only had to use the blower, but I wanted to be sure of the procedure if a more 'dramatic' cleaning is needed!

No problem.

I find that for most cases a blower is sufficient - solves something 90% of issues. I don't generally bother running the cleaning cycle first (though there's no harm in doing that and it can make the blower more effective because it tends to loosen any small particles).

FWIW, in the rare cases when a blower doesn't suffice, I escalate to an arctic butterfly, a gel stick and then a swab clean (with aero-clipse fluid) in that order. I rarely get as far as the swab clean. ; )

 

[Paul Barnard]

While I do think that FF mirrorless cameras are more prone to dust { they are much more exposed so not really a surprise } . I find that mostly I can control this by a quick blow with a rocket blower or similar device, at the end of a shoot. Ido have to wet clean a little more but really with a little practice and common sense it is not very difficult at all.

I watched the YouTube video on how the Sony A9 is made.

At the end of the assembly line is a gal who checks the sensor for any specks of dust. I saw her using a thin sticky ‘wand-like’ tool to pick of any individual little spots - I assume that it had a sticky gel or similar tackiness on the end.

I wish that Sony sold that tool to the public (hint hint Sony if your listening?).

I haven't seen the video, but it sounds like they were probably using one of the gel sensor cleaners that have been developed for Sony sensors by people like Eyelead:

https://www.amazon.com.au/Eyelead-SCK-1B-Cleaning-Mirrorless-Cameras/dp/B01M3XB4FJ

They're pretty effective - often dealing with deposits that a puff from a rocket-blower won't shift. And a fair bit quicker and easier (though not quite as effective) as wet cleaning with a swab...

No ... it was much thinner and much more focused... like a clear sticky wand. Perfect for targeting just a single tiny spot. She was picking out spot by spot (watch the video).

Yes I have one of those tools in your link... I don’t use it after reading some bad reviews.

Ok, interesting - and thanks for clarifying.

Do you have a link to the video you are referencing?

I have read reports that the gel tool you referenced can leave sticky residue on the sensor and the Sony tech who showed me how he personally cleaned sensors said that he "would never use one of those" .. he recommended that I do it his way. Consequently mine is still sitting there brand new and unused.

Could it be a static process where the small clear rod attracts dust particles ?

Wow... that might just work! Something like a Delrin or Acetate rod perhaps?

You might have yourself a commercially viable product there

Or... on the other hand might a static discharge damage the sensor? I have no idea.

Alas I have no idea either just looking at the video gave that impression There is the old silk scarf glass rod experiments we did in school along these lines, so you could see in theory how something like this could work or not

On reflection the "Arctic Butterfly" product claims to use statically charged bristles to collect particles. Similar concept.

Yes the artic butterfly works well. Spinning the brush generates the charge on the bristles. The dust sticks to the bristles. I do the same on a large scale for pricture framing. I have a natural fur dusting brush that I spin to generate the charge. It very gently and easily lifts the dust from the acrylic ‘glass’, mat and picture.