...has to be your own DIY stuff! LOL!! Chekkit! Chekkit!
I got bored over the weekend and did a small project called the Make Your Own Ultimate Sensor Brush. First, let's compare with the direct competitor, VisibleDust Artic Butterfly. Weird name, exorbitant price tag, not really that 'high tech' brushes as they claimed it to be. Upon closer examination, I still don't quite agree with their pricing.
I went over to Sim Lim Square and Art Friend at Bras Basah Complex to do some window shopping and here's what I came up with... My very own DIY Ultimate Sensor Brush!! Proven! Tried and tested!
Let me explain the itinery in closer detail. First of all, NYP is no way affiliated with this mini project of mine. Hehe. But I got the tube casing from my younger bro who got into NYP. Inside the casing is the two brushes, safely stored and sealed away from dust. The gray colored 'dildo' like gadget is actually a battery powered fan and the tip is something which I am having a hard time finding its actual name. For easier reference, the dildo like object will be called the Motor Drive in this instruction manual. Moving along...
Here's a close-up of the Motor Drive, and that 'thing'. Where to find the two items? There's this electronic parts shop on the third floor at Sim Lim Square with sassy ladies always there to help you. You also need to poke a hole at the thing. See image below.
*crowd in the back goes ooohhh ahhhh* Presenting my very own, Patent Forever Pending Ultimate Sensor Brushes. Please pardon the thin DOF. As you can see, brushes normally have rather long handles so what I did was I sawed off the rest of the bit. There's no scientific measurement for this but I used all my 5 'senses' and discretion as to how much it needs to be cut. To touch it up, I inserted a rubber cover(can be found at Sim Lim) to give it a more 'professional' look. NOTE: The black brush with short bristles are for stubborn dirt while the green brush with long bristles are for quick cleaning. Ok, now how do we use the damn thing??
Please read my footnote below on how brushes are to be prepared before actual sensor cleaning. Die die must read hor!
Ahh, not too worry. This a video from Visibledust. My very own 'system' incorporates the same sophisticated technique. All you need to do is fit the brush into the tip of the Motor Drive and then turn on the switch and give it a good spin. NOTE: Due to very nature of this sophisticated process required at this stage, a lot of experimentation needs to be done on the user end. For a more detailed explanation, see image below:
(Hand model: My younger bro)
Spin the brush for a several seconds. After that switch off the power from the Motor Drive and remove the brush. The spinning is to remove all dust from the bristles and create a 'static' charge. You can now safely use your brush to clean your sensor. Proceed with caution.
NOTE: The brush must be removed from the Motor Drive before doing the actual sensor cleaning!
That's it folks! Easy right? Let me know what you think. I welcome any comments or ideas as to how this 'system' can be further improved or 'streamlined'.
Here's a summary of the whole project:
Total damage: S$8 (brushes) + S$5 (Motor Drive) + S$1 (accessories) + S$5 (Transport) + S$3.20 (prata egg/kosong + teh halia) = S$22.20. Not bad if you compare the price of VisibleDust set which is going for S$240!
Shopping list
Brushes: Get the Ashley brand, nylon bristles at Art Friend, Bras Basah Complex
Motor Drive + Accessories: #03-69, UF Technology, Sim Lim Square
My personal feelings: Overall, I am quite happy that I am able to find an alternative resources to sensor cleaning without breaking my piggy bank. And the biggest treat of all, it works just as good as the original one!
Disclaimer: If you the paranoid type, please do not attempt this tutorial without adult/professional supervision. However, if you finally got balls...erm I mean guts, please by all means read the instruction carefully and proceed with caution... and also do it at your risk. I will NOT be responsible for any damage done on your sensor.
Footnote: How to prepare your brush?
When you first purchase your brush, it contains dirt and grease because its direct from the manufacturers. Use dishwashing liquid to clean the brush. Clean thoroughly with the brush tip on your palm. Then flush with water thoroughly. Once you're happy with the cleaning, let it dry normally.
After drying, the bristles will stick together and become stiff. Use a lint-free tissue or a micro fibre cloth to snap the bristles. This will then loosen the bristles and its all normal again.
Test your brush on your spare UV filter. (I bet you kiasu folks would have one.) Stroke the brush to and fro about 100 times and then see the result. If you see long streaks on the surface on the UV, that means you did not clean the brush properly. Repeat the cleaning step above. If you see no streaks, the brush is good to go!
Additional reading materials: Go here.
I got bored over the weekend and did a small project called the Make Your Own Ultimate Sensor Brush. First, let's compare with the direct competitor, VisibleDust Artic Butterfly. Weird name, exorbitant price tag, not really that 'high tech' brushes as they claimed it to be. Upon closer examination, I still don't quite agree with their pricing.
I went over to Sim Lim Square and Art Friend at Bras Basah Complex to do some window shopping and here's what I came up with... My very own DIY Ultimate Sensor Brush!! Proven! Tried and tested!
Let me explain the itinery in closer detail. First of all, NYP is no way affiliated with this mini project of mine. Hehe. But I got the tube casing from my younger bro who got into NYP. Inside the casing is the two brushes, safely stored and sealed away from dust. The gray colored 'dildo' like gadget is actually a battery powered fan and the tip is something which I am having a hard time finding its actual name. For easier reference, the dildo like object will be called the Motor Drive in this instruction manual. Moving along...
Here's a close-up of the Motor Drive, and that 'thing'. Where to find the two items? There's this electronic parts shop on the third floor at Sim Lim Square with sassy ladies always there to help you. You also need to poke a hole at the thing. See image below.
*crowd in the back goes ooohhh ahhhh* Presenting my very own, Patent Forever Pending Ultimate Sensor Brushes. Please pardon the thin DOF. As you can see, brushes normally have rather long handles so what I did was I sawed off the rest of the bit. There's no scientific measurement for this but I used all my 5 'senses' and discretion as to how much it needs to be cut. To touch it up, I inserted a rubber cover(can be found at Sim Lim) to give it a more 'professional' look. NOTE: The black brush with short bristles are for stubborn dirt while the green brush with long bristles are for quick cleaning. Ok, now how do we use the damn thing??
Please read my footnote below on how brushes are to be prepared before actual sensor cleaning. Die die must read hor!
Ahh, not too worry. This a video from Visibledust. My very own 'system' incorporates the same sophisticated technique. All you need to do is fit the brush into the tip of the Motor Drive and then turn on the switch and give it a good spin. NOTE: Due to very nature of this sophisticated process required at this stage, a lot of experimentation needs to be done on the user end. For a more detailed explanation, see image below:
(Hand model: My younger bro)
Spin the brush for a several seconds. After that switch off the power from the Motor Drive and remove the brush. The spinning is to remove all dust from the bristles and create a 'static' charge. You can now safely use your brush to clean your sensor. Proceed with caution.
NOTE: The brush must be removed from the Motor Drive before doing the actual sensor cleaning!
That's it folks! Easy right? Let me know what you think. I welcome any comments or ideas as to how this 'system' can be further improved or 'streamlined'.
Here's a summary of the whole project:
Total damage: S$8 (brushes) + S$5 (Motor Drive) + S$1 (accessories) + S$5 (Transport) + S$3.20 (prata egg/kosong + teh halia) = S$22.20. Not bad if you compare the price of VisibleDust set which is going for S$240!
Shopping list
Brushes: Get the Ashley brand, nylon bristles at Art Friend, Bras Basah Complex
Motor Drive + Accessories: #03-69, UF Technology, Sim Lim Square
My personal feelings: Overall, I am quite happy that I am able to find an alternative resources to sensor cleaning without breaking my piggy bank. And the biggest treat of all, it works just as good as the original one!
Disclaimer: If you the paranoid type, please do not attempt this tutorial without adult/professional supervision. However, if you finally got balls...erm I mean guts, please by all means read the instruction carefully and proceed with caution... and also do it at your risk. I will NOT be responsible for any damage done on your sensor.
Footnote: How to prepare your brush?
When you first purchase your brush, it contains dirt and grease because its direct from the manufacturers. Use dishwashing liquid to clean the brush. Clean thoroughly with the brush tip on your palm. Then flush with water thoroughly. Once you're happy with the cleaning, let it dry normally.
After drying, the bristles will stick together and become stiff. Use a lint-free tissue or a micro fibre cloth to snap the bristles. This will then loosen the bristles and its all normal again.
Test your brush on your spare UV filter. (I bet you kiasu folks would have one.) Stroke the brush to and fro about 100 times and then see the result. If you see long streaks on the surface on the UV, that means you did not clean the brush properly. Repeat the cleaning step above. If you see no streaks, the brush is good to go!
Additional reading materials: Go here.