Which Arctic Butterfly model?

[defektive]

I need a sensor cleaner and these seem to be pretty popular around here. Just wondering if I need to fork out for the most expensive model (724) or if one of the lower speed models (700 or 788) will do a proper job? I have seen a lot of posts here about the Arctic Butterfly but the 724 is the only model mentioned. I'm very low on funds as I have just bought into this system so I'm on on the cheap.

 

[250swb]

Sorry, but I use the 724, not what you wanted to hear.

I know you are on a budget but a word of caution. There is dust, there is sticky dust, and there is oil/gunk. If you don't know what its likely to be (perhaps the camera has never previously had oil cleaned off the sensor) a wet clean is the best thing to give you a datum point for your camera. If you use an Arctic Butterfly on oily gunk it contaminates the brush and it will need cleaning, and it won't remove the oily gunk anyway. So I recommend a wet clean to be sure you have sticky dust and oil removed, then the Arctic Butterfly will be great for intermediate cleaning. Oily gunk does become a rarer problem the more the camera is used.

However if you bought it from a dealer maybe they could confirm if the sensor had a wet clean before you got it? Its still best to know for sure though by doing it yourself.

Steve

 

[defektive]

Sorry, but I use the 724, not what you wanted to hear.

I know you are on a budget but a word of caution. There is dust, there is sticky dust, and there is oil/gunk. If you don't know what its likely to be (perhaps the camera has never previously had oil cleaned off the sensor) a wet clean is the best thing to give you a datum point for your camera. If you use an Arctic Butterfly on oily gunk it contaminates the brush and it will need cleaning, and it won't remove the oily gunk anyway. So I recommend a wet clean to be sure you have sticky dust and oil removed, then the Arctic Butterfly will be great for intermediate cleaning. Oily gunk does become a rarer problem the more the camera is used.

However if you bought it from a dealer maybe they could confirm if the sensor had a wet clean before you got it? Its still best to know for sure though by doing it yourself.

Steve

Thanks for that, I doubt that it was cleaned prior to purchase and it has only taken about 1200 images so it could well be spitting a bit of grime about. Is it any more risky doing a wet clean than a dry one and what products are good/safe for doing the job with?

 

[250swb]

People have been doing wet cleans since the first sensor got dirty, and only a tiny number of the stoies about things that can go wrong are real. Its an area where urban myth abounds.

Visible Dust supply swabs and cleaning fluid and instructions, just make sure the swab size is correct for your camera and don't use too much fluid on the swab. Common sense is all you need. I think you will probably need to have two or three goes the first time and it can seem wastful and frustrating, but dust and gunk does settle down over time, so don't think this is a never ending chore.

I'm sure somebody will chip in with the idea of using a Rocket Blower, and while using one may shift a bit of dust to somewhere else, it won't reliably shift the sort of gunk that is likely at some time or other in the cameras life. So I really think you should just do the cleaning job in a reliable way each time.

Steve

 

[jaapv]

The Rocket blower is fine - as long as you keep the camera pointing downwards to allow the dirt to fall out. And it is cheap, so worth a try. If it does not suffice you can always move on to butterflies and then to swabs.

 

[Rip Tragle]

Pay attention to jappv & Steve

Pay attention to jappv & Steve

Hey, what are nice guys like you doing in a place like this?
cheers, ‘’Washington''