I’ve been collecting specks of dust on my sensor for a while, it got to a point where something had to be done. I decided to have a go at it myself despite reading of the dire consequences from camera manufacturers, mainly because I didn’t want to lose it for a week or so. Besides research on the web had convinced me that the sensor is covered by glass and the risk of scratching it is somewhat overstated by the camera manufacturers.

I decided to use a vacuum cleaner with a computer cleaning kit someone gave me years ago and never got used. To dislodge stubborn dust I chose a Camel hair artists brush because they have the softest bristles I know of. Good, got the tools, got a plan, let’s do it.

Things progressed nicely, the brush dislodged dust from the sensor and the vacuum cleaner dispatched the dust as expected except for one stubborn speck. Three or four goes later the speck was still there, without thinking I blew on the sensor and… sprayed.

I muttered magical incantations of the kind that don’t often make it into print. Needless to say I was now in a worse position than before I started. Cleaning the mess with a cotton bud wrapped in lint free cloth simply spread it around. Next I cleaned the sensor with a cotton bud wrapped with lint free cloth dipped in methylated spirits. A magnifying glass showed no dust, good. A photo of the fridge at F18 showed a few blurry smudgy lines of residue, dam. I tried again, more blurry smudgy lines in different places. After four goes the magical words became roars of frustration, the dog hid under the bed and the kids decided to go out.

I had read that Canon use 50% Windex and water. So I tried it. The result was clearly visible without the aid of torch or magnifying glass. Let me assure you Windex and water is not a good idea. Stress levels were nudging record levels.

My next step was a visit to the chemist. Partly because I had to get the stress levels down and partly because I wanted to buy some Ethanol.

Using the same technique as before but with Ethanol gave exactly the same result, more blurry smudgy residue marks. Magical incantations gave way to strong urges to panic and visions of an expensive paperweight.

I decide that the cleaning fluid was not the problem, it had to be my technique. I was probably getting to much fluid on the sensor. So I took a plastic disposable kitchen knife, the type you use for parties. I cut the end off square, squared off the sides. I then used wet and dry sandpaper to form a very slight curve to the bottom edge. Finally I smoothed all edges with the same sandpaper.

Taking my home made sensor wiper I wrapped the end with lint free cloth dipped it into the Ethanol then gently wiped it across the sensor. I turned the knife over and wiped again. It looked clean. Stress levels came down just a little. I took a photo of the side of the fridge at F18. I can’t detect a single speck or smudge. Stress levels are returning to normal, the dog wants his dinner and the kids say they will be home tomorrow.

Would you believe it after all that its raining cats and dogs so I can’t give my clean sensor a whirl just yet.

I wrote that a week ago. I’m happy to report that the camera functions perfectly after all my abuse, with nary a blemish or speck to be seen anywhere. Would I do it again. You betcha and I’m confident it wouldn’t take any more than 15 minutes now I know what I’m doing.

yeah ive done that too.
when i got my camera, i found this nice feature, "sensor clean" then i read the manual, and realised why all this dust on my sensor was there. and yes, i did open it again and blow at it, and now there is a small smudge on it... but i have blown the dust off it with a proper blower.
:)

Trisbert, you are a lot braver than I am!

I don’t usually clean my sensors myself, due partly to the fact that I don't want to end up with horrendously expensive desk accoutrements and because sensor dust can easily be cloned out and is something that needs to be lived with.

I take both of my bodies to Canon when they get really bad; they will do it for free and in less than 25 minutes (If you have a local service center).

As for techniques, I would use a disposable sensor cleaning pad (Pec-Pads) as opposed to lint-free cloth, they are clean-room manufactured and won't scratch the glass

The general consensus out there seems to be that since one is only cleaning the Low Pass filter in front of the sensor, it’s safe. This is not the case though, if the glass gets damaged, the sensor and filter are one assembly, requiring that the sensor still be replaced...

Braver or sillier Will?
Your lucky to get free service, it takes a week or two and costs $80 here. It was the time factor that worried me most. Thanks for the tip about Pec-Pads, they are on my shopping list but it looks like I will have to import some because I haven’t been able to find any locally.

trisbert- what cleaning fluid did you use when u used the pad? im probably gonna get some pec pads for in the future when i have to clean my snesor. :)

Something TIMEX would be proud of. "Takes a lickin and keeps on tickin". I think mine will go to the pros. Maybe at the same time try and find a service course to take:-)

As for cleaning solutions, the best out there is Eclipse. I use it to clean lenses, and it leaves no swirls and won't damage anything. Its only downside is that because it's nearly pure, ultra-refined methanol, one has to work with it quickly. (It evaporates extremely quickly.)

Trevor, I used Ethanol. The trick is to use something that evaporates quickly and leaves no residue. I chose it because that is what some Canon service centres use. The Eclipse that Will mentions would be worth a try.

This may prove destructive :-)

If I had read that first I could have saved myself some stress:-)

It's confirmed, Canon uses Kimwipes (similar to pec-pads) and pure methanol (identical to Eclipse) to clean sensors.

I took both my bodies in for a "clean & check" on Friday and got around to chatting with the CPS technician, and Kimwipes and Methanol are Canon's preferred tools.

It’s really beneficial to have the “check” part of “clean & check” performed as well. Everything from the mirror to the viewfinder’s eyepiece glass comes back absolutely spotless, and they make sure everything is to spec and working properly.

I’m not sure what the factory service departments charge for cleanings and tune ups, but it helps protect one’s investment and is something I highly recommend (if you use your gear all the time, like I do, or use it regularly in harsh conditions).

Thanks for the info Will, It’s worth knowing. How long did it take them to do the service? Our Canon service still wants the camera overnight. That’s means a 3-hour drive each way to get it there and again to get it back the next day.

Robert, it only took 30 or so minutes. By the time I had finished chatting with the rep, both were done. I'm a member of Canon CPS, so I have priority service, but for small things like cleanings they will almost always do the work while you wait.

Thank you Will. Hmm, think I will talk to them more persuasively.

If they give you any grief, remind them that the service was one of the reasons you chose a Canon product...as I mentioned above, they are usually very accomodating.

There is also something to be said about buying your camera from a pro shop. When I need my cameras cleaned or checked out I walk in and drop them off and pick them up after lunch.
For in between times or on windy days I just set them to bulb remove the lens and blow them out, in a dust free zone.

I wish we had that kind of service here.

Did it! Thank you Robert.

That was like watchin' an episode of MacGyver!! Bubble gum a tube sock and an old guitar string...alright, let's clean that sensor!! 8~D

Way to go Robert, glad it turned out and the levels are back to norm!!

Its nearly two and a half years since I wrote that and I’m glad that people are getting something worthwhile from it.

I finally retired that camera last week. Its been cleaned quite a few times with the same home made tool. I switched the lint free cloth for lens cleaning tissue though and I got a small bottle of 99% pure Isopropyl Alcohol, which dries faster than Ethanol so there is less risk of getting water marks from it. The whole process takes less than 10 minutes including the before and after photos. The process has worked so well for me that I haven’t felt the need for Eclipse or Pec Pads.

I do use a rocket blower to dislodge loose dust fairly regularly and only use the wipes and Alcohol when there is some stubborn stuff that annoys me. I readily admit that Eclipse and Pec Pads are the preferred tools for the job but there is a certain satisfaction from doing it my way and after nearly 2 and a half years I think that I can safely say I haven’t hurt anything by doing it that way.

The tool I looked at with great interest recently was the Actic Butterfly, until I discovered the asking price. Now I’m waiting for the Asian copy to arrive on the market :-)

I've cleaned some specks off my D40 sensor with a Rocket Blower. Highly recommended, just be sure not to touch anything with the tip of the blower.

I just saw this thread. the 99% Isopropyl is ideal, as it leaves virtually no film or residue. apply it with a lint-free swab, or a micro-fiber wipe. I use both the alcohol and wipes/swabs at work when splicing fiber optics.

;-)

Robert, I used the microfiber lens cleaning cloth that i use on my glasses that works fine and for the stubborn spot i use a little of the anti-mist anti-stat spray that i use on my glasses, they work well, no marks what-so-ever
(a photojournalist told me that one)

It’s good to see the Rocket Blower and the Isopropyl Alcohol confirmed by others.

I like the idea of the antistatic spray, I expect it would probably have some dust repellent qualities to it too.

I think its worth repeating Darryl’s link from above for people who might be considering their first sensor clean. These pages have been updated from time to time to include new products and techniques. Demystifying D-SLR Sensor Cleaning. Its also a handy refresher for the rest of us.