Digital Camera Sensor Cleaning
How to Clean Your Digital Sensor
Digital camera sensor cleaning may seem like a frigthening and dangerous thing to do on your own, but if you are careful and have the appropriate equipment it really isn't difficult at all. Here are some instructions to help you clean your digital sensor.
If you've notice dark marks on your photos in the same places all the time your sensor might need a good cleaning. Before you attempt cleaning your sensor clean your lens and see if that fixes the problem. If it doesn't it's time to clean your sensor. Cleaning your sensor at home should be done at your own risk.
What You'll Need
 
To clean your camera sensor without damaging it you'll need the right equipment. Make sure you have the following.
You can get these items separately, but I find it convenient to buy these items all together in a sensor cleaning kit .
Prepare for Your Camera Sensor Cleaning
Gather all of the materials you'll need to clean your sensor together. You'll want to clean it in a clean relatively dust-free environment. Make sure the area is well lit and your camera battery is fully charged. When you're cleaning the sensor your shutter needs to be open during the cleaning. If the battery dies while you're cleaning the sensor the shutter could suddenly snap closed possibly damaging the shutter and the sensor. Don't let that scare you. Just make sure your battery is charged so it won't happen.
You should clean your sensor at a time when you won't be interrupted. It doesn't take long to complete a camera sensor cleaning (only about 20 minutes), but you never want to end up leaving your camera sitting around open while you do something else. If you have children or pets make sure they don't come into the room while you're cleaning your sensor. The movement around the room could kick up dust.
How to Clean Your Digital Sensor
Start by setting your camera to the sensor cleaning mode. If your camera doesn't have a sensor cleaning setting you should use the bulb setting to open your shutter.
Once your shutter is open remove the lens from the camera. Remember that whenever you're working with your camera with the lens off to keep it pointing down to minimize the amount of dust that could get into the camera.
The first method you should use for your camera sensor cleaning is simple. Use the hand-squeeze air blower to blow any dust particles off the sensor. Just stick the nozzle of the air blaster into the camera and give the sensor a few puffs of air while the camera is pointing downward. Be careful. You want to make sure the air blaster nozzle doesn't touch the camera sensor.
If you have a sensor scope you can use it to check the sensor for any remaining debris. I don't have one so I put the lens back on and take a picture to check for dust. With my camera I simply have to turn the camera off to get the shutter to close again. Then I replace the lens. Then I take a picture and check it for dark marks. Usually dust shows up better if you take a picture of a blue sky. If there is still dust on your sensor you can try using the hand-squeeze air blower again or you can use the wet cleaning method.
The wet camera sensor cleaning method requires touching the sensor which can be terrifying at first. There is actually a protective covering over your sensor so you won't be touching it directly. You'll be touching the covering, but it is still important that you're very careful.
Open your swab and remove it from the plastic bag without touching the tip of the swab. It is important that the tip of the is very clean. Touching it will transfer the oils from your fingers onto the swab. Put three drops of Eclipse cleaning solution on the tip of the swab. Start in one direction and pull the swab gently across your sensor from left to right. Then without lifting the swab from the sensor pull it back across from right to left. Once you're done you can use the hand-squeeze air blower again to get rid of any addition particles. Then check the sensor for dust by using a sensor scope or taking another picture.
If your sensor still isn't clean repeat the swabbing process. This time put two drops of cleaning fluid on the swab instead of three. Never put the cleaning fluid directly on the sensor.
I hoped this explanation about how to clean your camera sensor has helped you. Find out more about digital photography basics.
|
