I've never cleaned my sensor and I'm scared to try it.
Since the 70's I've shot with Olympus and not once did I ever have to clean the sensor or send a camera in to have a sensor cleaned. This Sony seems to be a dust magnet though! I bought an APS-C cleaning kit. I'm just trying to work up the nerve to use it.
What's your experiance?
When I first did one back on a D100 Nikon it was fine then I did my D200 and scratched it, The Canons I owned I cleaned them all no trouble, The Leica's I scratched an M240 but found out later it was a coating issue (fixed for free) ..
The thing is, you have to try it one day or forever pay others to do it for you. Maybe watch someone do it before you try it or practice on an old body (if you have one) failing that you can practice on one of those old cokin filters to learn your 'pec-pad swagger :)
It's fun when you get it right but heart wrenching when you get it wrong.
Only advice I have if you're gonna try it, remove any visable dust lumps with a blower first before trying a wet wipe. use isopropyl alcohol on the wipe, don't drink it or soak the wipe with it, a couple of drops to cover the width is enough, When you swipe, use enough pressure to slightly bend the plastic shaft but not to near breaking point. Try to do it in a smooth single passing.
Thanks for the advice. It definitely helps! The part about not drinking the alcohol is especially helpful because that's where I was going to make my first mistake! :)
Originally posted by MAK:
I do mine.
When I first did one back on a D100 Nikon it was fine then I did my D200 and scratched it, The Canons I owned I cleaned them all no trouble, The Leica's I scratched an M240 but found out later it was a coating issue (fixed for free) ..
The thing is, you have to try it one day or forever pay others to do it for you. Maybe watch someone do it before you try it or practice on an old body (if you have one) failing that you can practice on one of those old cokin filters to learn your 'pec-pad swagger :)
It's fun when you get it right but heart wrenching when you get it wrong.
Only advice I have if you're gonna try it, remove any visable dust lumps with a blower first before trying a wet wipe. use isopropyl alcohol on the wipe, don't drink it or soak the wipe with it, a couple of drops to cover the width is enough, When you swipe, use enough pressure to slightly bend the plastic shaft but not to near breaking point. Try to do it in a smooth single passing.
My cleaning kit is at home - when I get there I’ll tell you what brand..
It has a scope that you look through to see what is on the sensor.
Currently I pay to have my camera and body cleaned for $65 by an excellent camera repair shop. He does and excellent job. He also informed me that I do have a scratch on my sensor (it’s luckily not visible in my photos) from my cleaning attempts.
The system I have has a good cleaner and swipes designed for cleaning the camera sensor. BUT I suggest having it cleaned by a very highly rated reparable camera repair shop.
Then later deciding on whether or not to do it yourself.
I've never cleaned my sensor and I'm scared to try it.
Since the 70's I've shot with Olympus and not once did I ever have to clean the sensor or send a camera in to have a sensor cleaned. This Sony seems to be a dust magnet though! I bought an APS-C cleaning kit. I'm just trying to work up the nerve to use it.
What's your experiance?
Yeah... I'm finding the same with the a6500. But I'm also finding out that the dust moves around. Sometimes it's there, sometimes not, so I'm just using a blower because I'm afraid to do anything more, as well. I'm watching this thread with interest!
Have you tried the sensor cleaning through the menu? I'm trying to do that more often.
This is the kit I bought. I live in the boonies. We have no camera shops! LOL I would have to send it somewhere.
Originally posted by Ja-9:
My cleaning kit is at home - when I get there I’ll tell you what brand..
It has a scope that you look through to see what is on the sensor.
Currently I pay to have my camera and body cleaned for $65 by an excellent camera repair shop. He does and excellent job. He also informed me that I do have a scratch on my sensor (it’s luckily not visible in my photos) from my cleaning attempts.
The system I have has a good cleaner and swipes designed for cleaning the camera sensor. BUT I suggest having it cleaned by a very highly rated reparable camera repair shop.
Then later deciding on whether or not to do it yourself.
I've never cleaned my sensor and I'm scared to try it.
Since the 70's I've shot with Olympus and not once did I ever have to clean the sensor or send a camera in to have a sensor cleaned. This Sony seems to be a dust magnet though! I bought an APS-C cleaning kit. I'm just trying to work up the nerve to use it.
What's your experiance?
Yeah... I'm finding the same with the a6500. But I'm also finding out that the dust moves around. Sometimes it's there, sometimes not, so I'm just using a blower because I'm afraid to do anything more, as well. I'm watching this thread with interest!
Have you tried the sensor cleaning through the menu? I'm trying to do that more often.
I do use the built in cleaning through the menu but whatever is on there now is not coming off! I ordered a new Giotto blower because I can't find mine so I'm going to try that before I try the other.
MAK - Wouldn't you use something like the Eclipse product, rather than alcohol?
Whatever cleaner comes with the kit says it's alcohol free so you would use isopropyl alcohol instead?
I don't know. You'd have to ask MAK. I've cleaned my cameras over the years without (knock on wood) any trouble ... I've used the PecPads and Eclipse solution. It's funny because this thread popped up like an hour after I just purchased more solution. :-)
I'm interested in learning more about the alcohol substitute as well.
Sensor Scope by Delkin Devices is who makes mine...it was about $90 if I remember right...I thought you lived close to Grand Rapids???
No, I'm up at the tip of the pointer finger. I know you'll understand that since you're originally from Michigan! :)
Exactly!!! Funny thing...I moved to Florida...so take your mit and invert it (put the fingers down)...now you have the state of Florida - I live at the base of the middle finger...(headslap!!!)
