Getting ready for an upcoming shoot, I decided to bite the bullet and clean my sensor. Based upon several discussions on here and reading the copperhill web site I decided to go the coperhill method.
http://www.copperhillimages.com/index.php?pr=tutorials

I ordered a kit on a Monday and it arrived three days later (to Tampa). The kit I ordered was pretty complete, the "spatula", some wipes, and fluid. The kit came with detailed instructions, similar to their website and one pre folded wipe attached to the spatula. It also come with all the items in resealable bags to keep them clean, something I appreciated. The wipes package was also preopened, then sealed in reclosable plastic. This guy isnt making money, he is really providing a service.

I then made sure my batteries were freshly charged and took my XT menu item to "sensor cleaning" I did this a few times to get familar to the mirror locking up and what was inside. I then realized that I didn't have enough light, so I moved a lamp overhead (and put on my reading glasses!)

Then I wet the swab, and brushed away. Really rather easy. I did two passes, changed the pad, did two passes again. The second time I pushed a little harder, since I wasn't afraid to do so.

I am pleased with the results.

Before:




After:



A clear reduction in spots and dust bunnies.

Also to note, I did use a rocket blaster first, and saw no improvement. This confirms many discussions that simply blowing does little good.

Overall, It was easy, productive, and something that I will do as a regular preventive maintainance.

This isnt so much a tutorial, but my experience. I hope by writing this, those on the fence to do so, will simply try it.

Regards,

Z

Virtually identical to my experience. Copperhill

Which kit did you get?

I got the basic cleaning kit - just the swiper, extra pads, and solution. I can't see needing anything more.

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]CHI Basic Sensor Cleaning Kit[/FONT] CONTENTS:
1) 2 oz. bottle of Eclipse
2) 100-pack of PecPads, prepared for easy removal
3) Ready-to-use SensorSwipe (please select size)
4) Written instructions and illustrations

Thanks for the post on copperhill - looks like a good system. I didn't read every last word - just most - but didn't see any mention of one of Photographic Solutions other products: BrushOff, which I've been thinking of getting. Basically a brush with a ground wire, it's supposed to neutralize the charge that builds up on the sensor and causes the dust to stick.

Anyway, I just ordered the basic Kit from Copperhill. And it didn't even cost an arm & a leg.

As an aside, I just shot two sensor test shots, before & after a few gusts from a large ear syringe bulb. It blew off 4 of 5 large pieces of crud, and moved another, but didn't do much for the small stuff. Guess I'll have to wait for my pkg from Copperhill . . .

Anybody tried the Copperhill dry brush? Looks convenient for the quick touch up...

Originally Posted by cmason Anybody tried the Copperhill dry brush? Looks convenient for the quick touch up...

I have one which I used a couple of times, and it worked pretty well. That is until I washed it. After that, it left a big smear on my sensor which I had to scrub off with eclipse and 4 or 5 Sensor Swabs. Since then, I've been reluctant to use it. Now I just blow and if that doesn't work, wet clean.

Regards,
-joel

Last night was sensor cleaning time, and when there were still a myriad of spots, my swabs were used up (all the stores were closed and shuttered).

Now what? Tried a cotton swab (commonly referred to as a Q-tip), and put a tiny drop of the cleaning fluid on the tip.

Carefully swirled it around the sensor (don't get too much or it will leave smears), and did a test - that's much better.

Took another Q-tip and repeated -

High quality Q-tips are sterilzed cotton (cotton being a very soft fibre, it won't scratch the filter). I use the Johnson and Johnson brand, but another poster on another forum buys his from Walgren's (we don't Walgren's north of 49).

The Canon certified camera shop in our city uses high grade methanol (99 percent pure), but when my camera shop salesperson called them a few months ago to enquire about dust cleaning, they said that one could also use isopropanol (isopropyl alcohol) - 99 % purity. I have also used isoprop my self with good results - just use it sparingly.

The bottom line - the sensor came out as clean as it ever did with the expensive purpose made swabs - with one exception - a few of the little cotton fibres have a tendency to remain behind, but they are easily removed by blowing.

No more expensive swabs for me. I'm not advocating anyone do this, I'm just relating my personal experience.

With more and more people discovering that they can/should clean their sensors, there are more and more ways discovered to do this. It's amazing to me that some companies are charging in excess of $100USD for a kit that doesn't do any better than a "home grown" kit that costs circa $5.00 USD.

Originally Posted by Scott_Quier With more and more people discovering that they can/should clean their sensors, there are more and more ways discovered to do this. It's amazing to me that some companies are charging in excess of $100USD for a kit that doesn't do any better than a "home grown" kit that costs circa $5.00 USD.

Home Grown Kit?? List contents Please or where to buy as a kit?

Originally Posted by Art Scott Home Grown Kit?? List contents Please or where to buy as a kit?

Home Grown Kit - a kit that is built from pieces and parts commonly found around the house. AKA - DIY kit. In this case, a couple of Q-Tips and some isopropyl alcohol. Sorry for the confusion.

Home Grown Kit

Great, now I have an image in my head of someone watering a little tree, with sensorswabs growing out of it

Originally Posted by Scott_Quier With more and more people discovering that they can/should clean their sensors, there are more and more ways discovered to do this. It's amazing to me that some companies are charging in excess of $100USD for a kit that doesn't do any better than a "home grown" kit that costs circa $5.00 USD.

What's amazing to me is so many people get caught up with the FUD (fear, uncertainty, doubt) marketing ploys and cough up that $100+ for a kit that should be half that or less--and is the exact same thing as the less expensive kits. I guess that it annoys me enough I cannot ignore any of these sensor-cleaning threads.

Originally Posted by claudermilk What's amazing to me is so many people get caught up with the FUD (fear, uncertainty, doubt) marketing ploys and cough up that $100+ for a kit that should be half that or less--and is the exact same thing as the less expensive kits. I guess that it annoys me enough I cannot ignore any of these sensor-cleaning threads.

The wet/dry Copperhill kit I have cost $40. If I had to do it over I would probably have saved myself $10 and skipped the dry brush. However, once you get the hang of it, the PEC Pad/swab system is quite a bit faster than Qtips and does a significantly better job. If you are currently using Qtips, I highly recommend switching to PEC pads wrapped around a paddle. You can either buy the paddle from Copperhill or make your own and follow the directions on the web site. My local camera store keeps PEC pads and Eclipse in stock, so it is worth looking locally to see if you can find them.

Has anyone had any experience cleaning the sensor on the XTi? I know it has a built in anti-dust system, I just want to make sure that having that doesn't change how I would clean the sensor if I need to.

Originally Posted by LiquidAir . If I had to do it over I would probably have saved myself $10 and skipped the dry brush.

So I bought the wet/dry kit from Copperhill too. I like it, especially as it has all the detailed instructions, and the liquid is a specialist optical solvent, not rubbing alcohol from the drug store (which has adatives to stablize it and make you sick in case you decide to drink it).

Anyway, I actually like the brush. Can't say how effective it is, but it works well as the quick touchup before I go out for a shoot. Charge it up, dip it into the camera and off I go. I do the wet cleaning less frequently.

If I had an XTi, I would definitely skip the brush.

Originally Posted by cmason So I bought the wet/dry kit from Copperhill too. I like it, especially as it has all the detailed instructions, and the liquid is a specialist optical solvent, not rubbing alcohol from the drug store (which has adatives to stablize it and make you sick in case you decide to drink it). Anyway, I actually like the brush. Can't say how effective it is, but it works well as the quick touchup before I go out for a shoot. Charge it up, dip it into the camera and off I go. I do the wet cleaning less frequently. If I had an XTi, I would definitely skip the brush.

Right - rubbing alcohol is nowhere near the same thing as 99% pure isopropyl alcohol or methyl alcohol.

The beauty of very pure alcohols is that they evaporate very quickly leaving no trace, and will not affect glass (the sensor filter).

Someone mentioned acetone somewhere - this can be one of the constituents of paint remover, and it's the prime ingredient in nail polish remover - don't even think about it. It could very easily destroy the mirror box and shutter curtains.

Which reminds me - keep all liquids off everything but the sensor surface.

Update:

Was browsing another forum and found the following reference site; very good. Note that isopropyl alcohol is mentioned (isopropanol).

http://www.cleaningdigitalcameras.com/methods.html

Originally Posted by Glenn NK Update: Was browsing another forum and found the following reference site; very good. Note that isopropyl alcohol is mentioned (isopropanol). http://www.cleaningdigitalcameras.com/methods.html

If you wear eye glasses and use the spray or towelettes to clean them, you'll see that the stuff is isopropanol