Cleaning sensor on 40D

bovril

Apologies if this is a duplicate, I'm still on hols and don't have time to do an extensive search through previous posts. I've done a quick search and I don't think my two questions have been answered before.

I need to clean the sensor on my 40D asap when I get back from hols for a wedding. I'll try a rocket blower first before anything else but I think it requires a proper clean at this stage

I read somewhere I need E2 liquid to clean the sensor. I have normal eclipse for cleaning my 350D. Just wondering does anyone know a shop in Dublin city that sells E2 liquid or failing that somewhere online? If I have to order online I will have do it in the next day or two to get it on time.

Also, do I need to watch out for anything with regard the self cleaning mechanism of the sensor on the 40D? I understand it makes the sensor vibrate when the camera is switched off. Do I need to do anything different when cleaning it?

Thanks a mill in advance
L

PixelTrawler

bovril wrote: »

Apologies if this is a duplicate, I'm still on hols and don't have time to do an extensive search through previous posts. I've done a quick search and I don't think my two questions have been answered before.

I need to clean the sensor on my 40D asap when I get back from hols for a wedding. I'll try a rocket blower first before anything else but I think it requires a proper clean at this stage

I read somewhere I need E2 liquid to clean the sensor. I have normal eclipse for cleaning my 350D. Just wondering does anyone know a shop in Dublin city that sells E2 liquid or failing that somewhere online? If I have to order online I will have do it in the next day or two to get it on time.

Also, do I need to watch out for anything with regard the self cleaning mechanism of the sensor on the 40D? I understand it makes the sensor vibrate when the camera is switched off. Do I need to do anything different when cleaning it?

Thanks a mill in advance
L

If you want to try dry cleaning - google "artic butterfly" - havent tried it myself but am considering gettting it - also try youtube for the same search will show how it works.

One of the UK magazines gives it as a subscription pressie and apparently they all swear by it - think its Practical Photography.

It wont remove welded on dust though.

Also remember you wont touch the sensor itself but the low pass filter in front of it - the same thing that vibrates when self cleaning

Did you search ebay for E2 fluid?

JMcL

Don't go near the sensor with Eclipse. More recent Canon sensors have had a different coating that Eclipse can damage, go for E2 if you need the wet method though I'd have a go at the rocket blower first.

Fajitas!

When are you back from your holidays?

Paulw

I bought the Eclipse E2 fluid and swabs from Berminghams in Dublin.

Works well for the 400D, 40D and 1D MkIII that I've cleaned so far with it.

bovril

thanks a mill for the replies guys, I've already got all the swabs from the 350D, it's just the fluid I need and preferably a supplier in Dublin

Fajitas - am back Saturday 29th.

Fajitas!

I'll be back from NY on the 5th, can sort you out then

bovril

Fajitas! wrote: »

I'll be back from NY on the 5th, can sort you out then

You're the best , PM when you're over the jetlag.

Thirdfox

I got it off ebay - I used Surrey Photography:
http://cgi.ebay.ie/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230210168453&ssPageName=ADME:B:EOIBSA:IE:31

I remember the people in Berminghams were not very civil to me and basically ignored my request/query about pec pads and E2. Unhappily the same happened in Gunns (they were a lot more civil but the owner seemed confused about what I wanted - Eclipse sensor cleaning fluid...)

mathias

This is the msds ( material safety data sheet) for Eclipse ,

http://www.sensorcleaning.com/Eclipse.pdf

This is the one for E2 ,

http://www.photosol.com/documents/MSDS%20-%20E2.pdf

The ingredients are listed for each , along with the hazards , both are almost pure 100% solvents , and in terms of a sensor , both are pretty much identical , if Eclipse has been shown to damage sensors ( and I wouldnt be surprised , its a pure solvent ) then E2 will be exactly the same , theres nothing in it that would make it safer than its counterpart.

I note that on the products site , it lists that Canon do not recommend or OK this product for cleaning their sensors , some manufacturers do , some do not , personally I think its far too strong and wouldnt use it , its also quite a dangerous product to have lying around , with a seriously low flashpoint , only 13 degrees C , thats not good, and not the sort of stuff you want in your camera bag either.

Its up to yourselves lads , ....the data is there !

If you absolutely must use this , I would be diluting it about 10 to 1 first!

Thirdfox

It would seem that hundreds if not thousands of photographers use this solution without any problems though... (apparently on dpreview someone posted a picture of a 5D sensor's coating getting removed by the Eclipse solution and they brought out the E2 after that for the tin-oxide coated sensors...)

I'll take the risk after so many other people have without problems. The only method Nikon approve is to blow it or send it to them for a clean (which of course gives them a huge profit, and leads to a few weeks of not having your camera with you). I think profit (and the fear of legal liability were someone to stupidly clean their sensor - suing happens a lot in the US ) is what motivates the companies to state that sensor cleaning is not advised.

I store my E2 and pecpads in an airtight environment - clean and cool. No fires yet!

Thirdfox

And I should clarify that you never clean the sensor but rather the glass filter above it (it's normally the anti-aliasing filter if I remember correctly). So it is rather impossible to damage/scratch the sensor but you can scratch/damage the filter (a replacement filter will be pretty hefty too - I don't even know if they can replace sensors for you - might just be better to get a new camera...)

Paulw

Thirdfox wrote: »

The only method Nikon approve is to blow it or send it to them for a clean (which of course gives them a huge profit, and leads to a few weeks of not having your camera with you)

It's the same official method of cleaning for all SLR manufacturers. They all state clearly on documentation that you should return it to them for cleaning.

But, many acknowledge that there are many successful methods for cleaning your sensor yourself. They just won't approve these methods or stand over them for warranty reasons.

Thirdfox

Canon Japan sell those little sensor cleaning kits though right? (With the bamboo handle and liquid?) And I remember other manufacturers (Olympus?) that allowed cleaning that wouldn't void your warranty...

mathias

There are plenty of them out there , and they work well enough , my gripe is mainly with the pure solvent , most use 6 % , and thats good enough , its got just the right mix to shift the dirt and not damage the sensor ,

100% pure is too aggressive , its bound to do damage sooner or later , 6% is about right , will do the job with no nasty side effects. Ive been using pec pads and 6% IPA solution on my 20D and it works fine.

Thirdfox

My knowledge of chemistry only goes to the A in the leaving cert (a few years ago now ) but won't an impure solvent leave residue traces on the AA filter? The pure-ish methanol/iso-propanol(?) E2 would dissipate almost completely and rapidly - being better for your filter? (Not necessarily better for your lungs - remember kids solvent abuse can KILL instantly! )

mathias

That depends on what else is in the solution , pure distilled water and alcohol leave no residue , if you are worried about what else could be in there , then dilute your 100% methanol 10 to 1 with filtered water .....

There will be no residue with that , and with the amount of moisture were talking about here , evaporation should be in no time anyway , were not talking about swamping out the sensor area , just a gently wipe.

Its the solvent properties of 100% methanol that are my issue , it will aggressively attack the surface of the sensor / sensor coat , in a way this is what makes it a good cleaner , but over time it will degrade your optics , I cant see how it could be otherwise , a dilution though , will still clean , but shouldnt do anything like the damage !