Lens Cleaning Pens

PaulieC

I've just ordered one of these, is there any reason why one of these couldn't be used for sensor cleaning?

rymus

Yes... because it'd probably make unholy **** of the sensor

thebaz

cambo_gueno wrote:

I've just ordered one of these, is there any reason why one of these couldn't be used for sensor cleaning?

i picked up something that looks similar in Berminghams awhile ago, its a blow brush , with some kind of lens cleaning liquid , for 10 euros.
I'm scared eneogh using the cheap liquid to clean my lens, but certainly wouldn't use it for cleaning a sensor -- not sure if your pen comes with a liquid.

PaulieC

rymus wrote:

Yes... because it'd probably make unholy **** of the sensor

really? Surely if it's designed to clean a lens, then it shouldn't have disastrous consequences for the low-pass filter covering the sensor?

rymus

I got one of the pens in Boston some months ago to clean some particularly grubby lenses and there's no bloody way I'd go near the sensor with either the brush or the buffer end.

If you're feeling confident, give it a go by all means.. Don't be too surprised if, as that wise fella said above, it makes unholy **** of the sensor.

Special tools for special jobs tbh.. Copper hill all the way

PaulieC

he he. OK, thanks...

magicbastarder

cambo_gueno wrote:

really? Surely if it's designed to clean a lens, then it shouldn't have disastrous consequences for the low-pass filter covering the sensor?

is the low pass filter made of glass?

Morlar

I have used special pens for cleaning the sensor (cant remember the brand name) and it gets interesting when you take some test shots that come out worse. Seriously I wouldnt bother - these on the other hand work fine (eclipse sensor swabs)

http://www.berminghamcameras.ie/store/index.php?target=categories&category_id=242

I would recommend those for a fast local alternative.

PaulieC

why is this stuff so expensive? A Visible Dust brush and can of compressed air for 105 quid. It's crazy. If I was just a hint more cynical I might think it's all a scam to prey on people's fear of their sensor's delicacy

PaulieC

magicbastarder wrote:

is the low pass filter made of glass?

yes

thebaz

Morlar wrote:

I have used special pens for cleaning the sensor (cant remember the brand name) and it gets interesting when you take some test shots that come out worse. Seriously I wouldnt bother - these on the other hand work fine (eclipse sensor swabs)

http://www.berminghamcameras.ie/store/index.php?target=categories&category_id=242

I would recommend those for a fast local alternative.

that liquid looks similar to the stuff i got in the bargain box in berminghams for a tenner... i still wouldn't use it for cleaning sensor ... 10 euoro juice v 200 euro sensor ... i'm paranoid

Morlar

thebaz wrote:

that liquid looks similar to the stuff i got in the bargain box in berminghams for a tenner... i still wouldn't use it for cleaning sensor ... 10 euoro juice v 200 euro sensor ... i'm paranoid

Fair enough - each to their own I spose. What would you recommend ?

Borderfox

Can of compressed air, switch to sensor clean and give it a lash upside down. Got rid of most of the crud off mine. My 350D was manky, and the 20D wasnt far behind.

Morlar

Just been googling sensor cleaning and by a horrible coincidence both microsoft and luminous landscape recommend those eclipse (bermingham) sensor cleaning kits.

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/essays/sensor-cleaning.shtml

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/digitalphotography/prophoto/sensorcleaning.mspx

Meant to say I also use an air blower (not compressed air) before cleaning.

daedalus2097

thebaz wrote:

i picked up something that looks similar in Berminghams awhile ago, its a blow brush , with some kind of lens cleaning liquid , for 10 euros.
I'm scared eneogh using the cheap liquid to clean my lens, but certainly wouldn't use it for cleaning a sensor -- not sure if your pen comes with a liquid.

That's probably fine on the lens - it's usually just alcohol in the bottle which (for cleaning purposes anyway) is very cheap. We buy it in work for a couple of quid per litre, and it's the same stuff as in those cleaning kits for glasses... Not sure about the sensor though, it's something I've not ventured into so far...

thebaz

daedalus2097 wrote:

That's probably fine on the lens - it's usually just alcohol in the bottle which (for cleaning purposes anyway) is very cheap. We buy it in work for a couple of quid per litre, and it's the same stuff as in those cleaning kits for glasses... Not sure about the sensor though, it's something I've not ventured into so far...

thats kind of my point, grand for cleaning a glass optical lens , but a sensor is a little differnet ... i don't know eneogh about sensors , to know if it could be used , but i assume there is some fine circuitry that could get damaged .

rymus

Borderfox wrote:

Can of compressed air, switch to sensor clean and give it a lash upside down. Got rid of most of the crud off mine. My 350D was manky, and the 20D wasnt far behind.

Dear God no! :eek: Have you ever seen the freezing cold liquid that comes out of the can if you hold it at a slightly wrong angle?!? Any of that gets on your sensor and your camera would find itself taking a lengthy holiday to Canon UK.

PaulieC

thebaz wrote:

thats kind of my point, grand for cleaning a glass optical lens , but a sensor is a little differnet ... i don't know eneogh about sensors , to know if it could be used , but i assume there is some fine circuitry that could get damaged .

see you're not actually touching the sensor itself. The sensor is covered by a filter, made of glass, so it's the glass you're cleaning.
I'm just wondering is it really the big deal that everyone thinks it is? Granted, all I've ever done is blow on it when I could see a hair in some of my pics...