Sensor Cleaning 001

[raid]

I used a rocket blower to remove dust particles from the sensor. It did not remove the dudt spots. Those of you who experienced similar cases, what were your next steps? Could you give me a step by step guide?



Thanks.

 

[raid]

There must exist someone here who has cleaned the M9/M8 sensor with a swab.

 

[__--]

Raid, as can be expected there are several different views here. While this thread deals with the M-Monochrom sensor the issues are the cleaning issues are same, except that on the M-Monochrom sensor, unlike the M9 sensor, it is impossible to see the spots with a 7x LED-light loupe.

—Mitch/Bangkok
Bangkok Hysteria (download link for book project)

 

[ChrisN]

Hi Raid

The spots are probably oil spots. Mine had these from new, straight out of the box.

I've used the special swabs and solvents from here, and managed to get it about 95% right. In the meantime I tolerate the remaining spots or shoot at f/5.6 or wider so the spots don't show. It's only against a clear sky that I have problems.

 

[raid]

Thank you Mitch and Chris.
I will review the links.

 

[raid]

The spots are large, so maybe they are oil spots.
I did not see the spots at first as I used large apertures indoors.

I may try the 70% alcohol as the cleaning liquid, as suggested by the "Leica guy" in the discussion.
I have this kit : http://www.amazon.com/Digital-Survi...5?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1355185540&sr=1-5
Since it is the view that Eclipse smears, I will try the alcohol instead.

 

[__--]

Raid,

I had a lot of trouble with the Ecliple II liquid and ended up with smears that I couldn't deal with. Let us know what how you do with the 70% isopropyl alcohol. Looks to mr that oil spots are difficult to remove with swabs.

—Mitch/Bangkok
Bangkok Hysteria (download link for book project)

 

[kokoshawnuff]

I don't have an M9, but the only sensor cleaner I've not heard bad things about (except the high price) is Visible Dust. I've used it without incidence on my NEX.

I've read many favorable things about the arctic butterfly set:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...ust_4051342_1_Arctic_Butterfly_724_Super.html

 

[mdwsta4]

I've been using Copper Hill kits for the last 8 years or so.
http://www.copperhillimages.com/shopping/pgm-more_information.php?id=3&=SID#MOREINFO

Works great. You may be hesitant the first time you clean a sensor, but it's a piece of cake and nothing to worry about.

 

[Lss]

I use the Visible Dust fluids and swabs on my M8. Works perfectly, I need to do about two to ten cleanups per year depending on luck.

 

[jaapv]

Find a complete protocol here.

 

[raid]

Your write-up is easy to follow Jaap.
I will try the clean-up today.
Brian uses 99% alcohol. I have 70% at home.
Supposedly, this is what Leica also uses.

If this fails, then I will look into VisibleDust.
I need to know how do such clean-up while traveling.

 

[jaapv]

Watch out with the alcohol. It MUST be medicinal or lab grade. If not, it will be denatured by bergamot oil or similar and leave an oily film on your sensor.

 

[raid]

My alcohol is a basic over the counter sold alcohol.

 

[jaapv]

Don't use that. Get a proprietary sensor cleaning fluid, like Dust-Aid Sensor Clean.
You need to order swabs anyway. Don't even think of using cotton buds. Those are for cleaning your ears, they will leave fluff all over your sensor.

 

[V-12]

You probably need Dust Aid 'Smear Away' (for oil)cleaning solution, and some swabs. Swabs made for APSC get into the corners better even though the M9 is full frame.

Nearly all M9's have oil on the sensor from new, and it stops after a while, so if you haven't cleaned the sensor before you may not get oil again. Don't try cleaning it with a brush or you will just smear the sensor and contaminate the brush, although a brush such as the Arctic Butterfly is ideal when you are sure the shutter no longer sheds oil.

 

[EdwardKaraa]

Having wet cleaned sensors regularly for many years, I came to the conclusion it is better to leave the sensor alone, and only use bulb blowers occasionally.

In my opinion, the more you clean the sensor, the more dust it tends to attract, and it starts to accumulate in the edges and corners of the sensor where you can't clean it.

In fact, I have never wet cleaned my Sony A900 for the 3 years that I had it, and now my new M9 is 4 months old, and has some oil spots as described above, but I have no problem cloning them when I shoot landscapes.

 

[JMQ]

Raid,
I cleaned the M9 sensor from those pesky oil residue. I used the Eclipse Optic Cleansing fluid with the sensor swab (mine was made by Photographic Solutions Inc.). The swabs are uber expensive at $45 for a dozen. First, use the rocket blower to low away any dust. next, apply solution to the swab, then just run the swab over the sensor just once.

 

[Pablito]

Best of luck with this. I hope you can get it clean to your satisfaction. The M9 seems to be notorious for this. I know several people who use it professionally. One of them, a Magnum member and long-time Leica user, has given up on the M9 for this particular reason. He is now looking at the new Sony full frame p/s.

 

[JMQ]

Having wet cleaned sensors regularly for many years, I came to the conclusion it is better to leave the sensor alone, and only use bulb blowers occasionally.

In my opinion, the more you clean the sensor, the more dust it tends to attract, and it starts to accumulate in the edges and corners of the sensor where you can't clean it.

In fact, I have never wet cleaned my Sony A900 for the 3 years that I had it, and now my new M9 is 4 months old, and has some oil spots as described above, but I have no problem cloning them when I shoot landscapes.

The issue is oil residue, to which the M9 is prone. There is no other way to clean off the residue or spot except to send it to have it cleaned professionally, or DIY wet-cleaning.