Hi guys,
thought of sharing with you all how to clean your sensor on your own. Of course... Oly users won't have to clean their sensors... *grrr* Don't u just wish all DSLRs will have Oly's technology?
I strongly recommend sending your camera to their respective service centers for cleaning!
However, for those people who are nowhere near a service center (like me... in Thailand in the middle of nowhere) or for those who dont wish to pay for a clean when your warranty has run out, this might just work for you!
DIY Sensor Cleaning Tutorial
*Disclaimer: I have done this successfully but I will not guarantee (along with other companies who sell their DIY sensor cleaning products) that you will not damage your camera. Please exercise common-sense and follow the instructions carefully before attempting to clean your camera's sensor.
Before you do this, please:
1) Clean your hands
2) Have everything you need ready: Your camera, Blower, A filter, Fresh Batteries/External Powersource, Cable Release *for D100/S2Pro etc, Cleaning Fluid/Chemist's Methanol, Lint Free Lens Tissues, Scotch Tape (or anything of its equivalent), Your Home-made sensor swab stick & Yourself.
Step 1: Making your sensor swab: Choosing the material
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Figure 1: Choose a material that isn't too hard or rough. I've chosen a piece of laminated cardboard from a 'Glade' box. Notice that it's smooth and folded. I recommend using a folded piece of laminated card like what I've used. Why? The lamination means it can resist the cleaning fluid - it won't become soft on contact with the liquid. It's also stiff but not rough - the laminated side is really smooth and straight; just what we need!
Step 2: Sizing your sensor swab
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Figure 2: I have cut the card to size - approx 22mm x 55mm. The top is tapered and measures exactly at 20mm. This was cut to fit the Nikon D100's sensor. Have a look at your camera's sensor and determine the dimensions.
Step 3: The 'SWAB'
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Figure 3: Take a piece of lint-free lens tissue and cut it so you get a piece that's about 40mm wide. It can be wider but only slightly. Fold it in half or you can cut a little more and fold it three times to get a thicker swab.
Step 4: How your swab should look like and how to hold it in place
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Figure 4: Attach the lens tissue to your cut out card. I've used Scotch Magic Tape to secure the lens tissue to the card. If you wish to reuse the card (which i do), stick the tape 1/2 way around the side of the lens tissue so that you will be able to remove it easily later. Don't tape it all around. Ensure that the tissue is secure.
thought of sharing with you all how to clean your sensor on your own. Of course... Oly users won't have to clean their sensors... *grrr* Don't u just wish all DSLRs will have Oly's technology?
I strongly recommend sending your camera to their respective service centers for cleaning!
However, for those people who are nowhere near a service center (like me... in Thailand in the middle of nowhere) or for those who dont wish to pay for a clean when your warranty has run out, this might just work for you!
DIY Sensor Cleaning Tutorial
*Disclaimer: I have done this successfully but I will not guarantee (along with other companies who sell their DIY sensor cleaning products) that you will not damage your camera. Please exercise common-sense and follow the instructions carefully before attempting to clean your camera's sensor.
Before you do this, please:
1) Clean your hands
2) Have everything you need ready: Your camera, Blower, A filter, Fresh Batteries/External Powersource, Cable Release *for D100/S2Pro etc, Cleaning Fluid/Chemist's Methanol, Lint Free Lens Tissues, Scotch Tape (or anything of its equivalent), Your Home-made sensor swab stick & Yourself.
Step 1: Making your sensor swab: Choosing the material
Figure 1: Choose a material that isn't too hard or rough. I've chosen a piece of laminated cardboard from a 'Glade' box. Notice that it's smooth and folded. I recommend using a folded piece of laminated card like what I've used. Why? The lamination means it can resist the cleaning fluid - it won't become soft on contact with the liquid. It's also stiff but not rough - the laminated side is really smooth and straight; just what we need!
Step 2: Sizing your sensor swab
Figure 2: I have cut the card to size - approx 22mm x 55mm. The top is tapered and measures exactly at 20mm. This was cut to fit the Nikon D100's sensor. Have a look at your camera's sensor and determine the dimensions.
Step 3: The 'SWAB'
Figure 3: Take a piece of lint-free lens tissue and cut it so you get a piece that's about 40mm wide. It can be wider but only slightly. Fold it in half or you can cut a little more and fold it three times to get a thicker swab.
Step 4: How your swab should look like and how to hold it in place
Figure 4: Attach the lens tissue to your cut out card. I've used Scotch Magic Tape to secure the lens tissue to the card. If you wish to reuse the card (which i do), stick the tape 1/2 way around the side of the lens tissue so that you will be able to remove it easily later. Don't tape it all around. Ensure that the tissue is secure.
