Nikon Z50 doesn’t have a built in sensor cleaner.

[FrankG]

The wet clean of over a month ago failed to remove it so it is probably glued on. Which means that the ultra-sonic self-clean would have no chance.

That shouldn't be the case as the self clean operates at every on/off cycle so should have removed it (if it worked as published) before it had a chance to adhere

I will try having a go at it with my super brush on the arctic butterfly, failing that I might have to try a different type of cleaning kit or even a professional clean.

For things like that.... knowing it is at the bottom right as you look at the sensor from the front of the camera...I would retry a wet clean. If that doesn't remove it (may take a few tries with eclipse) an arctic butterfly won't as the brush puts way less pressure on the sensor than wet clean pad.

Several previous wet cleans had failed to remove that particular object.

Finally got round to tackling this today - used the Arctic Butterfly (fitted with the "super" brush") and it got rid of the problem first attempt!

PS: Checked my new Z50 as I had noticed 1 or 2 dust bunnies already (after only 4 days use) and found a lot more. Used the Arctic Butterfly - removed the lot! Very useful tool for travel.

Frank

 

[Mako2011]

Several previous wet cleans had failed to remove that particular object.

Finally got round to tackling this today - used the Arctic Butterfly (fitted with the "super" brush") and it got rid of the problem first attempt!

Thanks for the update! Very useful. Which version (a link?) of Arctic Butterfly do you have? With older one...a simple air charged sensor brush was more effective.

 

[WhateverNickname]

Good to know, I was about to sell mine!

 

[FrankG]

Several previous wet cleans had failed to remove that particular object.

Finally got round to tackling this today - used the Arctic Butterfly (fitted with the "super" brush") and it got rid of the problem first attempt!

Thanks for the update! Very useful. Which version (a link?) of Arctic Butterfly do you have? With older one...a simple air charged sensor brush was more effective.

Mine is the original "Arctic Butterfly 724" kit which used to be supplied in an orange coloured plastic storage box.

What I referred to as the "super brush" I should have called the "HDF Brush" which you can get as an accessory (not particularly cheap but it works).

This is the link to the HDF brush on the Visible Dust UK site but I imagine it will be widely available:

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www.visibledust.co.uk

I now use the original brush that came with the 724 for cleaning the mirror box, including especially the focus screen, on any of my DSLRs. It has been used many times and cleaned many times but I no longer trust it for sensor cleaning. I now use the HDF brush exclusively for sensor cleaning. This also mainly relies on static charge. It's never going to remove everything (sticky pollen for example) but seems to do the job 95% of the time.

One advantage of this kit is that there are no issues for air travel whereas cleaning solvent for wet cleaning is an air security no-no!

Frank

 

[Sacred]

I am not trying to knock the camera as I am still considering it but quite disappointed by this ridiculous omission on a camera of this level supposedly equal to the 7000 series. I’ve been wanting to go mirrorless for awhile and need a very light camera because of weakening health. I’ve been shooting only Nikon for 30 years and want to stay with them for many reasons but am hesitant with this camera because of this omission. I’ve never shot mirrorless before but when the sensor is exposed all the time unlike SLR I tend to think a sensor cleaner is important.

They are starting to phase out the ultras sonic cleaner as it seems they are finding out the feature really doesn't work that well and never has. I've had the feature on many a camera...and wet cleaning is still required so I don't mind the absence of it going forward.

If you currently have a DSLR with the feature...take a shot at f22 of a blues sky and post it here. You'll find lots of dust I bet

Except the inbuilt ultra-sonic system seems to be working quite well with my D850 for some reason.

Show a recent f22 of the sky. You might be surprised

I won't be surprised as actually I always carefully check using a sky shot at F25 or F32. Tends to reveal even the smallest dust bunnies.

Frank

Import that photo in LR and push dehaze slider to +100.

Best way to visulize dust.

 

[Kubicide]

OK, this morning despite limited time, I managed to do a quick check photo.

Mt procedure: grab the D850 (still with 300PF + 1.7 converter attached), set to manual focus, set to ISO100 (auto ISO OFF), set to F25, take 1 shot against sky (very overcast this morning). Upload NEF file to computer, processed out via DXO Photolab as a jpeg.

Here's the result:


Sample D850 dust bunny check photo at F25

There is 1 obvious contaminant at the most very extreme top-right corner of the image.

That one is pretty big. If the cleaning feature doesn't remove it...another indication the feature may be best to leave off follow on models as it should work best with the big stuff.

Otherwise good job with your last wet clean. Should be good for a bit.

To expect a cleaning system to clean everything is a bit asking too much

In this case though...the feature really does work well well below the level the advertising suggests...and why it's being phased out. That's a good thing. Less cost and perhaps better innovation going forward.

This really isn't accurate as this isn't dust which we all know was the design objective for ultrasonic cleaning.

Ultrasonic cleaning works really well and has for many years. That's why so many manufacturers included this feature. If it had no value it would have been dropped years ago. The reason why its not on this new Nikon is likely due to cost and cost alone. That would make sense as this is a price sensitive product.

 

[Mako2011]

Ultrasonic cleaning works really well and has for many years.

Not really the case. Wet cleaning is still required. May keep a few particles from adhering but doesn't really keep the sensor clean

That's why so many manufacturers included this feature. If it had no value it would have been dropped years ago.

Value may be more in terms of marketing and less in terms of a practical benefit. Common in many an industry

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My opinions are my own and not those of DPR or its administration. They carry no 'special' value (except to me and Lacie of course)