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!
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
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.
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.
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
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
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
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.
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! ...Show more →
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.
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."
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.
"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."
The Pec Pad is to clean the lens pen, not the sensor.
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'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.
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...
I meant just pushed the crud around - no oily dirt (at least in appearance). It just moved the dirt around.
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.
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.
