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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> Canon 6D: best way to clean sensor?
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01/21/2016 12:11:39 PM · #1
I am noticing that when I go very low aperture size I see lot of dust on the sensor. Since the system has auto sense clearning, why it didn't work? if I have to clean what do I do so that it does not have side effect on auto clearning?
01/21/2016 01:51:16 PM · #2
The fact that the automatic cleaning isn't removing the debris means that you either have dust particles that, for whatever reason, are tightly adhered, or that some of the debris is not dust, but perhaps lubricant spots or other non-dust soils. The normal method for removing this is by swabbing using a solvent-wetted swab. This is sometimes referred to as the "Copperhill Method." The original web page that detailed the method is, apparently, gone. There are at this point a number of wet-swabbing kits available. I can't directly vouch for any of them, since I use my own home-made system. Essentially, what you need is:
- High-purity solvent. I use ethanol with less than 5 ppm residue on evaporation, which costs about $30 for a half-liter bottle. Lasts forever.
- A swab the height of your sensor, either a pre-made one designed for the task or one created by you. I use a silicone spatula trimmed to shape and wrapped with a Pec-Pad.
You dampen the swab with solvent (not wet, just damp) and swab carefully, once, across the entire surface, then re-test. Repeat with a new swab if required (usually two or three pases are required).
If you're not confident in doing it yourself, many better camera shops can do the job.
01/21/2016 02:14:17 PM · #3
I recently took my camera and lens in for a cleaning/repair. I got chastize for using the swipes and liquid cleaner in my kit. He told me that he could see scratches on my sensor (ugh). So I've stopped cleaning it myself and will take it to him once or twice a year. He also told me if there was a minimal editing challenge he would take a quick lookie loo and spot clean it for me for free...wink...nice fella!!!
01/21/2016 02:41:53 PM · #4
Thank you!

Do you have a link handy for the ethenol? I see so many versions so kind of confused :(

Originally posted by kirbic:

The fact that the automatic cleaning isn't removing the debris means that you either have dust particles that, for whatever reason, are tightly adhered, or that some of the debris is not dust, but perhaps lubricant spots or other non-dust soils. The normal method for removing this is by swabbing using a solvent-wetted swab. This is sometimes referred to as the "Copperhill Method." The original web page that detailed the method is, apparently, gone. There are at this point a number of wet-swabbing kits available. I can't directly vouch for any of them, since I use my own home-made system. Essentially, what you need is:
- High-purity solvent. I use ethanol with less than 5 ppm residue on evaporation, which costs about $30 for a half-liter bottle. Lasts forever.
- A swab the height of your sensor, either a pre-made one designed for the task or one created by you. I use a silicone spatula trimmed to shape and wrapped with a Pec-Pad.
You dampen the swab with solvent (not wet, just damp) and swab carefully, once, across the entire surface, then re-test. Repeat with a new swab if required (usually two or three pases are required).
If you're not confident in doing it yourself, many better camera shops can do the job.
01/21/2016 02:57:09 PM · #5
If you want a complete kit, the Dust-Aid package appears to be a good replacement for the old Copperhill.
01/21/2016 04:45:48 PM · #6
I used to use the Copperhill and other do-it-yourself things. This year I sent it into Canon for a good cleaning and basic maintenance. I'll never clean it myself again. Canon service was excellent.
01/21/2016 05:17:14 PM · #7
I prefer the water and soap method.
01/21/2016 05:22:17 PM · #8
Originally posted by Cory:

I prefer the water and soap method.


That is freakin funny!!!
01/21/2016 06:40:11 PM · #9
Originally posted by Cory:

I prefer the water and soap method.


I needed a laugh today, awesome. "Looks good." Too funny.

I can imagine someone brand new looking for a YouTube video on how to clean their sensor and thinking that while the method didn't seem quite right the voice is so serious that maybe the method is legit.
01/22/2016 07:52:22 AM · #10
Originally posted by Cory:

I prefer the water and soap method.


LOL - one thing for sure, I am definitely not trying this because I do not have water or soap solution ;) :D
01/22/2016 10:22:15 AM · #11
Originally posted by pgirish007:

Originally posted by Cory:

I prefer the water and soap method.


LOL - one thing for sure, I am definitely not trying this because I do not have water or soap solution ;) :D


I hear 1200 grit sandpaper works great on getting crud off the sensor. Go ahead, try it! ;-)
01/22/2016 10:49:33 AM · #12
Originally posted by snaffles:

I hear 1200 grit sandpaper works great on getting crud off the sensor. Go ahead, try it! ;-)


1200 grit, Pfffft! I have an 80 grit personality, I'm gonna try that!

01/22/2016 10:51:19 AM · #13
Originally posted by kirbic:

Originally posted by snaffles:

I hear 1200 grit sandpaper works great on getting crud off the sensor. Go ahead, try it! ;-)


1200 grit, Pfffft! I have an 80 grit personality, I'm gonna try that!


Have at it! Oh and I also have some 40-grit sandpaper (so coarse that it looks like it has chunks of gravel on it) leftover from when I did my stairs, want some? ;-)
01/22/2016 12:36:49 PM · #14
Originally posted by snaffles:

Originally posted by kirbic:

Originally posted by snaffles:

I hear 1200 grit sandpaper works great on getting crud off the sensor. Go ahead, try it! ;-)


1200 grit, Pfffft! I have an 80 grit personality, I'm gonna try that!


Have at it! Oh and I also have some 40-grit sandpaper (so coarse that it looks like it has chunks of gravel on it) leftover from when I did my stairs, want some? ;-)


I've used 40-grit... I've seen a lot coarser. Back in high school, one of our shop teachers had a piece of sandpaper for demonstration that he referred to as "US army toilet paper." It was probably about the equivalent of P12, the grit grains were so large they looked like pebbles glued to the surface. If you stuck it to a vertical wall, I'd have bet I could have climbed it ;-)
01/23/2016 11:31:35 AM · #15
Ignore the cheap do-it-yourselfers. send it to Canon.
01/23/2016 11:36:14 AM · #16
Originally posted by NstiG8tr:

Ignore the cheap do-it-yourselfers. send it to Canon.


I have yet to see a factory cleaning job that is as clean as I get my sensors.

Can't beat that soap and water. ;-)
01/23/2016 03:36:14 PM · #17
Originally posted by Cory:

Originally posted by NstiG8tr:

Ignore the cheap do-it-yourselfers. send it to Canon.


I have yet to see a factory cleaning job that is as clean as I get my sensors.

Can't beat that soap and water. ;-)


Yeh, my camera actually squeaks it's so clean after I'm done...
O wait, that's because of rust!
01/23/2016 03:51:57 PM · #18
I think these look like the easiest way, and if you read some of the testimonials, they seem effective.

https://photographylife.com/product/sensor-gel-stick

However, I've stayed away because it's confusing about which to get for what sensors. (Sony sensors are different...and Fuji sensors are basically Sony sensors -- as are many Nikons). They need to be explicit by model.

Message edited by author 2016-01-23 15:52:05.
01/24/2016 12:56:59 AM · #19
I've never had my sensors cleaned, I just prefer to buy new camera.
01/24/2016 08:22:28 AM · #20
Originally posted by Neat:

I've never had my sensors cleaned, I just prefer to buy new camera.


One day I did something like that, I had Honda Civic and got a flat tire so next week I bought Mercedes :)
01/24/2016 09:12:18 AM · #21
Good jovial tone in this thread. Made me laugh a lot.

Correct me, if I'm wrong.

When we clean "the sensor" on our DSLR cameras, we are actually cleaning the AA (Anti-aliasing) filter in place above the sensor.

It would never be an option for me to entrust my beloved camera to a technician to perform the cleaning task. Simply, I don't think their standards are as high as mine.

Yes, you will need pec pads, eclipse fluid and a properly sized swab. Yes, you may have to repeat the process until you get it right. And, yes, you will have to verify the clean sensor.

I've cleaned the sensors on my cameras hundreds of times in the past 12 years, with no scratches. The self-cleaning sensor systems in modern DSLRs are an improvement, but over time, a manual cleaning becomes necessary.

One thing I would never do is blast air into the sensor chamber, in an attempt to remove dust. Seems to me that would simply drive particles deep into crevices, without remove the sticky ones.
01/24/2016 09:53:25 AM · #22
Now this make sense and eventually the camera it-self would have dust sitting and will need to take to technicians at that point in time.

Originally posted by hahn23:

......

One thing I would never do is blast air into the sensor chamber, in an attempt to remove dust. Seems to me that would simply drive particles deep into crevices, without remove the sticky ones.
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