Lens Pen vs Artic Butterfly

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Patrick Cox
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p.1 #1 · Lens Pen vs Artic Butterfly

I have had pretty good success cleaning my sensor with a lens pen but at times, it does take more than cleaning to really get the dust off. I suspect this is because the lens pen can tend to simply move dust around rather than actually lift it off of the sensor. So, I have been considering an Artic Butterfly for removing loose dust but wanted to get some feedback. As most know, this is a pretty expensive option for sensor cleaning. Maybe the most expensive? Is the AB really worth the cost? Will it do a quicker job than the LP? Which one should I buy? Finally, should I buy the loupe as well?

Thanks for your input on this.

Pat

ps - I tried the Copperhill products before I discovered the Lens Pen and I was not happy with this. It was a lot of work and I did not have much success. It was probably just me but I can't do much about that!

Jul 25, 2008 at 12:07 PM

Red Grainger
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p.1 #2 · Lens Pen vs Artic Butterfly

I think you will be disappointed with using the AB only. The AB is a sometimes tool. You still need a wet cleaning method. I have had some luck using DustAid in those travel situations where I have been unable to take liquids but some are scared to death of touching the sensor with even this low low low tack device. I have suffered no ill effects after 1 1/2 years using DustAid. There is simply no way to remove oily substances other than liquids (Eclipse 2). Other may chime in with additonal information, I'm always looking for a better solution.
Red

Edited by Red Grainger on Jul 25, 2008 at 01:06 PM GMT

Edited on Jul 25, 2008 at 01:06 PM

Jul 25, 2008 at 01:02 PM

lowbone
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p.1 #3 · Lens Pen vs Artic Butterfly

Are you using a Rocket Air Blaster after the lens pen? This always seems to remove the loose stuff for me.

Jul 25, 2008 at 01:05 PM

Alistair Watson
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p.1 #4 · Lens Pen vs Artic Butterfly

I use a rocket blower to begin with, then the Arctic Butterfly and then do a wet clean with Sensor Clean and the swabs if required. Been using Visible Dust brushes for years and the AB just takes the sensor brush to the next level. Works very well for me. Oh and I also have the Sensor Loupe which I find very useful as I can actually see the dust or smears and target the cleaning rather than clean, test, clean, test, until it is right.

Jul 25, 2008 at 02:19 PM

rachp
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p.1 #5 · Lens Pen vs Artic Butterfly

I also use a rocket blower before and after the lens pen and it seems to always get the job done.

Jul 25, 2008 at 03:56 PM

JohnJ80
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p.1 #6 · Lens Pen vs Artic Butterfly

Really, the best combination is a static charged brush (AB or Copperhill brush) and a wet clean method. 98% of the time, the brush will do the fastest and best job of removing the dust from the sensor - much better than a blower. The rest of the time it is probably shutter lube or something equally nasty that takes a wet cleaning to get it off the sensor.

Dust aid is no easier than a brush and it is not effective in place of a wet cleaner for lube etc... It is also more invasive than a brush.

Since I often travel with my gear, I also carry a sensorklear (lens pen for sensor) to get the lube off because you can't take the eclipse solution with you on the aircraft.

J.

Jul 26, 2008 at 02:30 AM

ozhop
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p.1 #7 · Lens Pen vs Artic Butterfly

I am travelling from Australia to South America with South American internal flights as well. From some comments it appears that I cannot take my Eclipse fluid with me on the flights

The stuff is transported for sale throughout the world via aircraft, why can't I do it.

I will be taking an Arctic Butterfly but feel I need a wet cleaning method as well. Does this mean I need this sensorklear. Is Eclipse fluid readily available in South America

Jul 26, 2008 at 10:04 PM

HerbChong
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p.1 #8 · Lens Pen vs Artic Butterfly

i think you will find that it is not shipped by air. that is why i don't use Eclipse fluid except at home. there are other wet cleaning tools including Visible Dust's own non-flammable liquids.

Herb...

ozhop wrote:
I am travelling from Australia to South America with South American internal flights as well. From some comments it appears that I cannot take my Eclipse fluid with me on the flights

Jul 27, 2008 at 01:45 AM

Mike V
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p.1 #9 · Lens Pen vs Artic Butterfly

Yeah, it usually gets sent by sea.

Also some things can be transported on cargo planes (crew and freight only) or privately charted planes, but not on commercial flights that have passengers.

Jul 29, 2008 at 12:13 AM

jamesf99
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p.1 #10 · Lens Pen vs Artic Butterfly

Patrick Cox wrote:
I have had pretty good success cleaning my sensor with a lens pen but at times, it does take more than cleaning to really get the dust off. I suspect this is because the lens pen can tend to simply move dust around rather than actually lift it off of the sensor. So, I have been considering an Artic Butterfly for removing loose dust but wanted to get some feedback. As most know, this is a pretty expensive option for sensor cleaning. Maybe the most expensive? Is the AB really worth the cost? Will it do a quicker job than the LP? Which one should I buy? Finally, should I buy the loupe as well?

Thanks for your input on this.

Pat

ps - I tried the Copperhill products before I discovered the Lens Pen and I was not happy with this. It was a lot of work and I did not have much success. It was probably just me but I can't do much about that!

Regarding the AB, I don't think I'd ever buy anything from those Canadian pirates, even if it worked, which is debatable for many. I'd recommend you avoid the mess (spreads oil around) those AB's cause.

As far as using the lens pen, are you using it with pec pads as you should? Use the pen, wipe on a pec pad, use the pen, wipe, repeat. Fast, cheap, you don't have to deal with pirates.

Jul 29, 2008 at 02:43 AM

Patrick Cox
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p.1 #11 · Lens Pen vs Artic Butterfly

Thanks all. I think I will stick with the lens pens.

Jul 29, 2008 at 11:01 AM

Cableaddict
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p.1 #12 · Lens Pen vs Artic Butterfly

jamesf99 wrote:
As far as using the lens pen, are you using it with pec pads as you should? Use the pen, wipe on a pec pad, use the pen, wipe, repeat. Fast, cheap, you don't have to deal with pirates.

A direct quote from the Pec Pads web page:

"PEC*PAD is not recommended for cleaning the CCD. It is not the same material used in the Sensor Swabs. PSI does not approve or warranty the CCD or any camera part from any damage caused by using non approved products."

Aug 08, 2008 at 08:51 AM

mark maulden
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p.1 #13 · Lens Pen vs Artic Butterfly

How about a pad and a little 100% grain alcohol

Aug 10, 2008 at 06:16 AM

GeneO
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p.1 #14 · Lens Pen vs Artic Butterfly

Patrick Cox wrote:
Thanks all. I think I will stick with the lens pens.

I think it works great.

I had used only a blower and brushes on my 10D and I found a small scratch with a loupe. Have used sensor clear pen on my 1D Mark IIN exclusivly and haven't has any issues.

I also found that the brush just smeared things around.

Gene

Edited on Aug 10, 2008 at 11:30 PM

Aug 10, 2008 at 11:28 PM

Patrick Cox
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p.1 #15 · Lens Pen vs Artic Butterfly

Cableaddict wrote:
jamesf99 wrote:
As far as using the lens pen, are you using it with pec pads as you should? Use the pen, wipe on a pec pad, use the pen, wipe, repeat. Fast, cheap, you don't have to deal with pirates.

Aug 11, 2008 at 12:28 AM

HerbChong
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p.1 #16 · Lens Pen vs Artic Butterfly

you aren't supposed to use the brush or any other brush, when there is oily dirt. Canon bodies are prone to it and some just never get better with age.

Herb...

GeneO wrote:
I also found that the brush just smeared things around.

Aug 11, 2008 at 02:16 AM

Ben Horne
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p.1 #17 · Lens Pen vs Artic Butterfly

I've never understood the big hype over the brushes. If you want to tickle your sensor, that's one thing, but if you really want to clean it, you're going to need to use the swabs.

The glass that covers the sensor is quite thick.... on the order of about 2.5mm. You would have to take a chisel to crack it. A swab applies just enough pressure to clean off the dust as well as anything else.

Aug 11, 2008 at 03:42 AM

GeneO
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p.1 #18 · Lens Pen vs Artic Butterfly

HerbChong wrote:
you aren't supposed to use the brush or any other brush, when there is oily dirt. Canon bodies are prone to it and some just never get better with age.

Herb...

GeneO wrote:
I also found that the brush just smeared things around.

I meant just pushed the crud around - no oily dirt (at least in appearance). It just moved the dirt around.

Aug 11, 2008 at 03:48 AM

GeneO
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p.1 #19 · Lens Pen vs Artic Butterfly

Ben Horne wrote:
I've never understood the big hype over the brushes. If you want to tickle your sensor, that's one thing, but if you really want to clean it, you're going to need to use the swabs.

The glass that covers the sensor is quite thick.... on the order of about 2.5mm. You would have to take a chisel to crack it. A swab applies just enough pressure to clean off the dust as well as anything else.

I agree it would take a lot to crack the glass, but the coatings on the outside of the glass, though hardened, are more susceptible to scratches than glass.

I don't think the brushed are worth it either. I prefer the sensor clear lens pen.

- Gene

Aug 11, 2008 at 03:51 AM

HerbChong
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p.1 #20 · Lens Pen vs Artic Butterfly

then you weren't using it right. only oily dirt sticks enough to require wet swabbing. i won't use a sensor pen because dry rubbing has a much higher probability of scratching than wet and if i am going to apply pressure, i want a completely fresh surface every time i go to clean. you won't know until it is too late whether the pen surface is grit free or not.

Herb....

GeneO wrote:
I meant just pushed the crud around - no oily dirt (at least in appearance). It just moved the dirt around.

Aug 11, 2008 at 04:13 AM

GeneO
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p.1 #21 · Lens Pen vs Artic Butterfly

HerbChong wrote:
then you weren't using it right. only oily dirt sticks enough to require wet swabbing. i won't use a sensor pen because dry rubbing has a much higher probability of scratching than wet and if i am going to apply pressure, i want a completely fresh surface every time i go to clean. you won't know until it is too late whether the pen surface is grit free or not.

Herb....

GeneO wrote:
I meant just pushed the crud around - no oily dirt (at least in appearance). It just moved the dirt around.

Lets see (this wasn't the arctic brush it was visible dust brush btw). I looked at the sensor, it looked fine except for some stubborn dust, I blew the brush with canned air, and I brushed as directed, and the dust just got pushed around. I guess I must be stupid

The sensorKlear uses a fine dry carbon based lubricating and cleaning compound and soft surface. You don't press very hard to clean with it. It is just as likely to scratch the surface as a wet cleaning method if there is sharp debris on the sensor.

I always wipe the pen surface on fresh lens cleaning paper before using to assure there isn't any debris on the pen.

A brush bristle is "dry", not lubricated, and much harder than the lens pen. It is also capable of dragging along a sharp spec.

Gene

Edited on Aug 11, 2008 at 05:08 AM

Aug 11, 2008 at 05:06 AM

Cableaddict
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p.1 #22 · Lens Pen vs Artic Butterfly

Ben Horne wrote:
The glass that covers the sensor is quite thick.... on the order of about 2.5mm. You would have to take a chisel to crack it.

Absolutely not true. Just do a search here on FM. There have been several reports from experienced users who cracked their sensors, and they weren't really bearing down.

It is evidently safe as long as you are constantly, 100% vigilant about using the lightest pressure possible, but mistakes happen.

You will also find, if you read past threads, that the coating on some 5D HPF's was not done right at the factory. Not enough heat, evidently. It can thus be removed with certain cleaners. I believe (don't quote me) that E2 fluid is regarded as safe, even for these "defective" filters, but you probably want to be even gentler if you're cleaning a 5D.

Edited on Aug 11, 2008 at 05:59 AM

Aug 11, 2008 at 05:59 AM

HerbChong
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p.1 #23 · Lens Pen vs Artic Butterfly

a sensor pen requires pressure to work. a brush isn't supposed to. Visible Dust demonstrates their cleaning with fine silica dust on purpose. try that with a sensor pen.

Herb...

GeneO wrote:
A brush bristle is "dry", not lubricated, and much harder than the lens pen. It is also capable of dragging along a sharp spec.

Aug 11, 2008 at 02:26 PM

GeneO
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p.1 #24 · Lens Pen vs Artic Butterfly

HerbChong wrote:
a sensor pen requires pressure to work. a brush isn't supposed to. Visible Dust demonstrates their cleaning with fine silica dust on purpose. try that with a sensor pen.

Herb...

GeneO wrote:
A brush bristle is "dry", not lubricated, and much harder than the lens pen. It is also capable of dragging along a sharp spec.

Well I don't see how you use a brush without applying pressure -it wouldn't do anything. And with the sensorklear pen I just pass it lightly over the surface, I don't apply much pressure at all.

Edited on Aug 12, 2008 at 03:04 AM

Aug 12, 2008 at 03:03 AM

VisualPerceptions
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p.1 #25 · Lens Pen vs Artic Butterfly

Alistair Watson wrote:
I use a rocket blower to begin with, then the Arctic Butterfly and then do a wet clean with Sensor Clean and the swabs if required. Been using Visible Dust brushes for years and the AB just takes the sensor brush to the next level. Works very well for me. Oh and I also have the Sensor Loupe which I find very useful as I can actually see the dust or smears and target the cleaning rather than clean, test, clean, test, until it is right.

Same here, normally a rocket blower followed by the Arctic Butterfly works fine 90% of the time. For tough stuck on dust, I use Eclipse and Sensor Swabs.

Edited on Aug 12, 2008 at 03:02 PM

Aug 12, 2008 at 03:00 PM


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