Grr I have been trying to clean my sensor for some time. I read up on the proper swabbing technique, brought the supplies eclipse cleaning solution, sensor swabs... Tried doing it and it doesn't seem any better, some spots remain and others just seem to have shifted around. I am not sure what to do next. Tried this about 5 times using 2-3 swabs each time. I was going to send it to canon for cleaning but from feedback here they aren't much help.
Try the spatula, or cut down plastic knife method with pec pads.
From what I've read, the sensor swabs don't give an even pressure on the sensor - just a qtip (point) with the pad wrapped aroundso most (all, if you're not carefu) of your cleaning is done in a thin line instead of a broad swathe.
The product is a small brush (looks like a very expensive paintbrush but with white/clear bristles) and it comes enclosed in a glass tube with latex gloves and a surgical mask. The other thing you must purchase for the sensor cleaning is some compressed gas/air, they recommend the tetrafluroethane gas since it leaves no residue and produces a stronger, longer lasting charge. I found some at officemax for around $7.
My sensor had about 12 small spots of various sizes before using the brush and afterwards there was only one small one on the bottom part that I must've missed. You basically hold the brush out and blast it with the compressed tetrafluroethane for 5-10 seconds and then brush away (lightly) the dust and then repeat. I also brushed along the edges of the sensor chamber because aparently this is a common area for dust to collect. I was blown away at how thorough this product was and since they say it can be used for something like 1000 times, it was a no-brainer investment.
I'm not associated with the company what-so-ever and am just passing along my experience with a quality product.
I am glad to see a postive review of the Visible Dust method. The company that makes the product hails from Edmonton Alberta and I am there nearly every week on business. I was going to give them a call and see if I could drop by for a demonstation.
I leave for a trip to Africa in a month and I was dreading having to do the PecPad/Eclipse thing in a safari tent!
Not sure what you mean by too much liquid. As I understand it the basic cleaning method uses a dry brush "charged" by compressed air. They do have a liquid for stubborn smudges but the basic method is "dry"
I tried paintbrush, grain alcohol and compressed gas/air , and my sensor became worse. Finally I use lens cleaning liquid (I didn't have eclipse at that time) with a qtip with little presure; my sensor becomes as new.
I tried the a home made swab as suggested by mason, not sure if it worked any better, freelancer I think I will resort to ordering that or the brush. I just wanted this clean for National Day here in a week and both those solutions will take longer...
Here is a pic from 2 more tries with a homemade swab and pec pads done today, is it any better?
Some dust does not ever move while others noted in the photo seems to move around
Your sensor looks just fine, really. How many pictures of a blue sky at f/22 are you going to take? Going after some stubborn, hardly noticeable spots is going only worsen the paranoia (that's from my own experience ). I bet you're not going to see them on any "normal" shots.
I had a couple thread like fibers on a 1D sensor. They were so bad that they showed up even with a lens wide open. Tried to clean repeatedly and finally gave up since who knows how much pressure one can safely put on a sensor. I used air and the pec pad method, no go. Finally sent into Canon and it came back clean, a big relief. I am still willing to clean but hope I don't have this kind of problem again.
). I bet you're not going to see them on any "normal" shots.