GMB
Active member
Despite my best efforts (switching the camera off before lens change, holding it down while changing lenses, keeping the back lens of the lenses clean, avoiding changing lenses in the dust etc.), the sensor becomes dirty and requires cleaning. I just wonder what is the best procedure.
My current procedure is as follows:
A few comments:
Questions:
Thanks.
Georg
My current procedure is as follows:
- shoot a blue screen on the computer at f16 moving camera
- load frame to computer and check for dirt (increasing contrast)
- put camera on tripod so that both hands are free
- use blower or artic butterfly
- repeat steps 1 and 2
- if further cleaning required, repeat steps 3 and 4 or use swaps if wet cleaning required
- repeat as needed
A few comments:
- I find that shooting a blue (I guess it could also be another uniform color but blue works well) screen works better than a blue sky. Increasing contrast and adjusting exposure shows any dirt/dust you may have on your sensor
- I have used the artic butterfly for a while but, unfortunately, a battery leaked recently and mine does not work any more.
- So far I have used swaps for a full frame sensor. Just swapped them twice. While the adrenaline goes up during that operation, so far so good.
- My general approach is not to go for perfection but be contempt with an acceptable level of dirt.
Questions:
- Do you think a blower does as good a job. The price for the artic butterlfy is a good 130 EUR, and while that is not much in Leica land, if it can be avoided i would prefer this.
- What swaps, if any, are you guys using. And what liquid? Visible dust?
- Any other tips for cleaning and keeping the sensor clean?
Thanks.
Georg