Lens Pen vs Artic Butterfly

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HerbChong
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p.2 #1 · Lens Pen vs Artic Butterfly

that is why the brush is prepared for cleaning in the specific way it is, to build up a static charge that attracts dust. the sensor pen can't clean without pressure while the brush can.

Herb....

GeneO wrote:
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.

Aug 12, 2008 at 03:14 PM

GeneO
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p.2 #2 · Lens Pen vs Artic Butterfly

HerbChong wrote:
that is why the brush is prepared for cleaning in the specific way it is, to build up a static charge that attracts dust. the sensor pen can't clean without pressure while the brush can.

Herb....

GeneO wrote:
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.

This is ridiculous, I am tired of this pointless back and forth. I don't care how you prepare the brush, you still BRUSH with it, which means pressure, and more than you think. I doubt any more pressure is applied with the pen, and it is a softer, lubricated surface.

Later.

Edited on Aug 13, 2008 at 02:26 AM

Aug 13, 2008 at 02:26 AM

HerbChong
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p.2 #3 · Lens Pen vs Artic Butterfly

you don't get it. you do NOT brush with it. i have use sensor pens in emergencies. they are my last resort field sensor cleaner because you have no choice but to rub with it.

Herb...

Edited on Aug 13, 2008 at 04:02 PM

Aug 13, 2008 at 04:00 PM

GeneO
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p.2 #4 · Lens Pen vs Artic Butterfly

HerbChong wrote:
you don't get it. you do NOT brush with it. i have use sensor pens in emergencies. they are my last resort field sensor cleaner because you have no choice but to rub with it.

Herb...

Here are the instructions for using the arctic butterfly:

http://www.visibledust.com/instructions.php?pid=3

Rotate and gently rest bristles on far edge of sensor.
Do not apply too much pressure.
Lightly draw the bristles over the width of sensor.

and

Take the Arctic Butterfly® - 724 and gently brush across your sensor ONCE. Do not spin the brush while on sensor! Keep your fingers away from the power button on the device while cleaning the sensor to prevent accidental spinning.

If that isn't brushing I don't know what you call it. Even they call it brushing for goodness sake.

Edited on Aug 15, 2008 at 02:28 AM

Aug 15, 2008 at 02:16 AM

HerbChong
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p.2 #5 · Lens Pen vs Artic Butterfly

if you can't see how much additional force is required to have the sensor pen, you'll never get it. bristle force even at its highest is far less than the sensor pen. you brush a lens first before you rub with a lens pen. a sensor is the same except it's more sensitive.

Herb...

Aug 15, 2008 at 02:43 PM

Ben Horne
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p.2 #6 · Lens Pen vs Artic Butterfly

Cableaddict wrote:
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.

Absolutely not true? If you're going to make such a bold statement, please post some references with photos of these cracked sensors as well as reports from the experienced users to back it up. I have seen people scratch the glass filter by using "experimental" cleaning methods, or by using bad technique, but I have not seen a cracked one.

I have a sensor that I pulled out of a digital SLR, and the glass on it is 2.5mm thick. If you were to crack this piece of glass, that amount of force would likely blow the sensor through the back of the camera. It would literally take a hammer and chisel to crack the glass filter.

Edited on Aug 16, 2008 at 02:04 AM

Aug 16, 2008 at 02:02 AM

GeneO
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p.2 #7 · Lens Pen vs Artic Butterfly

HerbChong wrote:
if you can't see how much additional force is required to have the sensor pen, you'll never get it. bristle force even at its highest is far less than the sensor pen. you brush a lens first before you rub with a lens pen. a sensor is the same except it's more sensitive.

Herb...

Sorry, I think your the one not getting it Herb. I don't put lots of pressure with my sensorklear, nor do I with brushes. But brushes are springy and place lots of force on a small area resulting in lots of pressure. Catch a particle on a brush and it is just as likely to scratch a surface as with the lens pen moved across the sensor lightly. In your case you are using the lens pens as a last resort on hard to remove particles the brush couldn't, by your own admission, and hence are placing more pressure on it than you would normally - not the normal pressure you would place on the sensorklear to remove typical dust.

I am not going to argue with you anymore.

Edited on Aug 18, 2008 at 01:35 AM

Aug 18, 2008 at 01:27 AM

HerbChong
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p.2 #8 · Lens Pen vs Artic Butterfly

the sensor pen is also springy but with a much stiffer spring. that means that pressure on the sensor pen is much harder to control accurately than a brush.

i never use sensor pens to remove dust. they are for removing oily smears after the dust is gone when i am unable to use a wet cleaning. greater than 90% of the spots on my sensor are grease-free dust.

as i said before, Visible Dust demonstrates their brushes with a mixture of gunk that includes silica dust. the brush doesn't even have to touch the sensor to work. try that with a sensor pen.

Herb...

Aug 19, 2008 at 05:11 PM

Andrew J
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p.2 #9 · Lens Pen vs Artic Butterfly

The sensor pen is perfect.
Two XT's, XTi, 1D, 1DIIN, all cleaned perfectly with the pen for me.
I just pitch the pen after a dozen uses.
I have started using the Large rocket blower before and after the pen and it helps.
Blower on it's own though is a joke. Brushing alone, only slightly better.

Aug 20, 2008 at 01:34 AM

HerbChong
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p.2 #10 · Lens Pen vs Artic Butterfly

that means you didn't use the brush right or you got greasy dirt and not dust on the sensor. that's the kind that Canon cameras throw off internally. blower first, brush next, and then sensor pen or wet clean after all dust is gone. the sensor pen or wet cleaning is absolutely required for anything other than loose dust.

Andrew J wrote:
Blower on it's own though is a joke. Brushing alone, only slightly better.

Aug 20, 2008 at 02:44 PM


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