• June 11, 2023, 7:12 p.m.

    GRRRRR. I've got a spot on my sensor. It won't blow off, so I've ordered a kit.

    I know where it came from - I was changing lenses at an airfield. Which reinforces my desire to get another camera body!!!

    Alan

  • Members 421 posts
    June 12, 2023, 12:35 a.m.

    If it doesn't blow off I've learned the hard way to spend a little $$$ and have a pro do it. I can clean my lenses but I don't want to chance a sensor. Good luck.

    Bob

  • Members 244 posts
    June 12, 2023, 1:30 a.m.

    Cleaning the sensor is a snap. I’ve always used a purpose made kit (fluid and swabs) and never had an issue. One time I’ve had so much junk on there I had to use 3 swabs as I recall but, all came off, no issues.

  • Members 86 posts
    June 12, 2023, 9:55 p.m.

    I cleaned my X-T20 and X-T3 a few weeks ago - first time using a kit with swabs and fluid. I found it quite manageable when you follow the instructions. A little anxious at first, but eventually it didn't scare me enough to not do it again some day.

  • Members 79 posts
    June 13, 2023, 6:28 a.m.

    Perhaps because I’ve occasionally run into dust issues while traveling, plus early DSLRs and mirrorless cameras didn’t have the capability of doing a self cleaning, I learned long ago how to clean a sensor. I think it remains a skill well worth having, and if you can get past the initial angst and take the time to learn the technique, it can be very worthwhile. Particularly if you’re traveling and find some dust on your sensor, getting it cleaned by a dealer may be difficult, or perhaps impossible, depending on where you are and what time you might have available to have that done. Fortunately, it’s far less of an issue today thanks to self cleaning features, and dust issues aren’t nearly the problem that they used to be.

    Jerry

  • June 13, 2023, 8:22 a.m.

    My cleaning swabs arrived yesterday. I'll give it a go today sometime.

    Alan

  • Members 300 posts
    June 13, 2023, 2:25 p.m.

    You only clean the cover glass of the sensor, not the sensor itself.
    You can't destroy your sensor by cleaning if you don't use huge amount of that fluid.

  • Members 54 posts
    June 13, 2023, 2:34 p.m.

    Has anyone used these guys before? $50 to clean a crop sensor and $75 for full frame. Price doesn't seem too bad (?) and (maybe) same day service if in NYC.

    phototech.com/sensor-cleaning/

  • Members 535 posts
    June 13, 2023, 4:03 p.m.

    It’s been many years — and never for sensor cleaning — but I’ve done business with Photo Tech and would do so again (if I was back in NYC.)

  • June 13, 2023, 4:11 p.m.

    I bought an APS sensir cleaning kit. Took a brush and gently wiped up the spot. All sorted.

    Alan

  • Members 244 posts
    June 13, 2023, 5:49 p.m.

    Exactly. It’s about as simple a process as can be imagined.

  • Members 421 posts
    June 13, 2023, 6:23 p.m.

    I'm still a chicken 😁. Luckily the issue hasn't arisen in the recent past primarily because I rarely change lenses in the field. For gigs I bring 2 or 3 cams with what I need already mounted. For pleasure I almost do the same. Just clean the feathers from my body and I'll be ok.

    Bob

  • Members 421 posts
    June 13, 2023, 6:25 p.m.

    That's good. As long as it is not an oil spot or something similar I have used an "Arctic Butterfly" in the past. Still have it even though I haven't used it in a few years.

    Bob

  • June 13, 2023, 8:02 p.m.

    It was just a spot of dust or dirt that wouldn't move with an air blower.

    I take your point about multiple bodies. I intend to buy another one soon - just debating on another X-T5 or the new X-S20

    Alan

  • Members 209 posts
    June 14, 2023, 11:34 a.m.

    Yes but long ago no, That glass cover is coated. Long ago [about 2008 IIRC] Eclipse fluid could visibly damage that coating on the Canon 5D. That problem does not exist anymore, but I'm still leery of the wet clean.