 Irene Troy |
smudged sensor I have something funky on the sensor of my Canon 5D. It is smudged and despite using my Visible Dust wand and the rocket blower, the smudge remains. Don’t ask me how the smudge got there, I have no idea. How do I clean the sensor when the problem is not dust? Is this something I can do myself, or should I take the camera to the shop? [Please no!] Thanks for any advise. Irene
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Pete H |
Have no fear Irene, You have what is known as "welded Dust" "Sensor Swabs" by Photographic Solutions used with medical grade methanol will do the trick. http://www.photosol.com/ All the best, Pete
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Josh Anon |
I'll second that recommendation for Sensor Swabs (you'll want type 3 swabs for your 5D), but I'd also recommend using their Eclipse cleaner instead of just methanol. See http://photosol.com/eclipseproduct.htm for product information. Other companies make wet cleaners like Eclipse, but I've had the best results (fewest streaks, most dirt removed, etc.) with Eclipse. I'd also recommend only using a drop of Eclipse on the pad--it'll be plenty. Josh
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Pete H |
Ummm, Josh? "Eclipse" (TM) Cleaning Fluid IS Medical Grade Methanol.
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Irene Troy |
Thanks, Pete and Josh - I use Eclispe on my lenses and love the stuff. I was not aware that they also made sensor swabs. Good to know what this junk is and that it is not something that should be a problem. Irene
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Todd Bennett |
Irene, You might want to look at these guys too: http://www.copperhillimages.com/index.php?pr=products I bought one of their kits and it works well.
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Josh Anon |
Hi Pete, Eclipse itself might be (I don't have a bottle handy to check the ingredients list), but their newer product for newer sensors like in the Rebel XTi are not.
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Irene Troy |
I just looked it up and Josh is correct; the newer version of Eclipse is made different to safely clean the newer sensors which have a copper coating. I'm assuming - and please, correct me if I am wrong - that my 5D has the older sensor that can accept the older - methanol - cleaner. Thanks again, guys. Irene
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Alan N. Marcus |
You guys won't believe this: When used to clean glass and other optical surfaces the solvent of choice is either ethanol or methanol. Both alcohols are just fine for cleaning. The key property needed besides being a solvent for oil or grease is the fact that they evaporate without leaving behind any residue. Evaporation without leaving a residue gave alcohol the nickname of sprits as the alchemists thought they were witnessing a return to the spirit world. The key to a spotless evaporation is based on whether on not the chemical contains impurities. Pure ethanol is easy to obtain, you can get it at the liquor store sold under the name of EverClear, and this is by law, a very pure version. Ordinary vodka is the same stuff cut to 50% or 100 proof and works just fine. Methanol is almost always sold as denatured meaning an ingredient has been added to make the solution nauseating. Otherwise small amounts of methanol would be fatal. I advise using ethanol. You can dilute it with distilled water. First try a 25% solution on a clean Q-tip. I make a quart which last about 5 years or so. Add two drops of dishwashing detergent and you get a fine lens cleaner for camera and eye glasses. If you’re desperate for the “hair of the dog” you can take a swig as well. Alan Marcus
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Irene Troy |
A friend of mine, a non-photographer, suggested that I might use vodka to clean my lenses and I thought he was nuts. I love Eclipse for cleaning my lenses and am happy to now know that I can use it for my sensor. The only drawback of Eclipse is its price – at least for the quantity in the smaller bottle. Thank you, Alan, for offering an alternative that may work just as well. Hey – if cleaning the sensor is nerve wracking I can take a swig of the cleaner first! Irene
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