Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2010/01/26
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]The smaller the aperture, the more spots you will find - I regularly shoot a predominantly light subject with a small aperture - sky or a piece of paper - to check for sensor spots. To avoid having to use swabs and fluid, first shoot 2 to 5 shots before and after using a blower and a brush (Arctic Butterfly) to find out whether the spots are at the same location every time. If they change location or disappear, they were caused by dust, if they stay where they were in every shot, they are caused by something sticking to the sensor surface. This means you'll have to get out the swabs. Never use swabs without having removed loose dust beforehand - you could end up scratching your sensor. Don't expect to be able to see spots on your sensor with the naked eye - you'll hardly ever find them. When viewing a shot with spots, remember that the sensor records the image upside down - this means that a spot at the top of the picture is at the bottom of the sensor. Here's a series of shots before and after cleaning First step: use a blower to get off any loose dust. Second step: (I agree) the Arctic Butterfly brushes are very good, and pick of a lot of the more resistant dust. Third step: if you still have sensor spots, the only remedy is swabs and cleaning fluid. My experience is that they work very well if you follow the instructions and do it carefully. It often only gets the sensor really clean after 2 or even 3 passes with clean swabs each time. Sensor spots to the right of the tower: http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/DMS/Bits+and+Pieces/Spots.jpg.html First wipe - this can sometimes move a spot to a different part of the sensor - to the right of the tower but closer to it: http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/DMS/Bits+and+Pieces/First_wipe.jpg.html Second wipe: http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/DMS/Bits+and+Pieces/second_wipe.jpg.html The remaining spots are birds ;-) BTW: I'm very wary of things like lens pens when it comes to sensor cleaning. Douglas On 26.01.2010 07:10, leo wesson wrote: > I like the artic butterfly brush. Eventually you will wind up buying > cleaners and swabs. It's ridiculously expensive stuff, but once you > learn to use it, it's worth it. > http://www.visibledust.com/products3.php?pid=3 > > Leo Wesson > Photographer/Videographer > 817.733.9157 > www.leowesson.com > > > > On Tue, Jan 26, 2010 at 12:00 AM, Frank Filippone<red735i at > earthlink.net> wrote: > >> I took the M8 on a recent 3 week trip. Within a few days the sensor was >> pretty dirty... and of course, I did not bring any cleaning stuff ( my >> first >> digi-camera, so what did I know?). >> >> Bottom line is a lot of images that need to be cleaned, if possible.... >> >> Is this typical of digital cameras and the M8 in particular? >> >> Yes, I changed lenses a lot..... >> The environment was mostly dampish.... not dusty like a desert.... >> >> Question... I do not need any gizmos to see the dust, it is pretty obvious >> on the sensor..... Should I send it to Leica USA for a $75 sensor >> cleaning, then keep it clean myself or just clean it myself and learn from >> that experience and continue forward with cleaning it myself from now on? >> >> How often do you clean your sensor ( Leica or otherwise...)? Is it a >> daily >> routine? ( yes, I realize that dusty = more often, not used = less >> often)..... >> >> Lastly.. how do you minimize dust with Digi-cameras? Not changing lenses >> comes to mind.... but then I have a very expensive P+S..... >> Use only the Tri-Elmar? ( which while not fast, does give me "3 lenses" >> without a change)? >> >> For those that might think I am complaining, I am not. I need to learn >> this >> stuff, and what better place than from those that have already solved the >> problem...... >> I just wish I had asked before my trip..... >> >> Thanks..... >> >> Frank Filippone >> red735i at earthlink.net >> >> >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Leica Users Group. >> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >> >> > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information > >