cleaning the sensor on your dslr (and the rest of the camera as well…) presented by n. david king

Cleaning the SensorCleaning the SensorOn Your DSLROn Your DSLR

(and the rest of the camera as well…)(and the rest of the camera as well…)

Presented byPresented by

N. David KingN. David King

Cleaning a DSLR SensorCleaning a DSLR Sensor

Well… it depends…Well… it depends…

Do you like those amorphous dark shapes in your images and Do you like those amorphous dark shapes in your images and think they are conceptually creative?think they are conceptually creative?

Do you enjoy “spotting” more than editing?Do you enjoy “spotting” more than editing? Do you like spending increasing amounts of time cleaning your Do you like spending increasing amounts of time cleaning your

shots instead of making them better?shots instead of making them better? Do you like spending $50 to have someone else clean it for Do you like spending $50 to have someone else clean it for

you?you?

If the answer is “Yes” then you don’t need to go on… If the answer is “Yes” then you don’t need to go on…

Is Cleaning Really necessary?

© N. David King


Sure…Sure… If you If you nevernever take your camera out and use it. take your camera out and use it. If you If you nevernever remove a lens and it is “O” ring sealed remove a lens and it is “O” ring sealed

to the body.to the body. If you If you nevernever shoot and change lenses in anything shoot and change lenses in anything

other than a hermetically sealed “clean room.”other than a hermetically sealed “clean room.”

If you do any of these things, sooner or later If you do any of these things, sooner or later you will need to clean your camera and you will need to clean your camera and sensor… sensor…

Can Cleaning be avoided?

© N. David King


Cleaning a sensor is like cleaning a lens…Cleaning a sensor is like cleaning a lens…

If you do it correctly you could do it daily and never If you do it correctly you could do it daily and never harm the camera or lens.harm the camera or lens.

But if you do it wrong you could damage the camera, But if you do it wrong you could damage the camera, lens, or sensor very quickly.lens, or sensor very quickly.

This presentation is all about doing it correctly!This presentation is all about doing it correctly!

Is Cleaning Dangerous?

© N. David King


There is a proper workflow for cleaning your There is a proper workflow for cleaning your camera and sensor…camera and sensor…

Get the right equipment and supplies and have them Get the right equipment and supplies and have them handy to you can work quickly and easily.handy to you can work quickly and easily.

Work from the outside to the inside.Work from the outside to the inside. At each stage, start with the least intrusive and work At each stage, start with the least intrusive and work

toward the more intrusive only if necessary.toward the more intrusive only if necessary.

Camera/Sensor Cleaning Workfow

© N. David King


Here are the Here are the proper supplies to proper supplies to have on hand. have on hand. You’ll need…You’ll need…

Air: 2 kindsAir: 2 kinds

Camera/Sensor Cleaning Supplies

© N. David King


A word of caution on using canned air...A word of caution on using canned air...

Canned air is a very powerful tool but must be used Canned air is a very powerful tool but must be used correctly.correctly.

Never use a can that has been Never use a can that has been shakenshaken or disturbed. or disturbed. Let it settle and rest for a few minutes before use.Let it settle and rest for a few minutes before use.

Never put the nozzle very close to the surfaceNever put the nozzle very close to the surface Never aim the nozzle directly at a surfaceNever aim the nozzle directly at a surface Never aim the nozzle at your skin or someone else’sNever aim the nozzle at your skin or someone else’s

Camera/Sensor Process

© N. David King


Here are the Here are the proper supplies to proper supplies to have on hand. have on hand. You’ll need…You’ll need…

Air: 2 kindsAir: 2 kinds

Brushes: 2 kindsBrushes: 2 kinds

Lint Free PadsLint Free Pads

CleanerCleaner

Swabs for YOUR Swabs for YOUR sensorsensor

Camera/Sensor Cleaning Supplies

© N. David King


At each stage the following workflow will be At each stage the following workflow will be used…used…

Blow off loose particlesBlow off loose particles Brush/lift off more stubborn particlesBrush/lift off more stubborn particles Use cleaner as a last resort and use it properly.Use cleaner as a last resort and use it properly.


© N. David King


Camera Camera BODYBODY Exterior Exterior Use canned air Use canned air AT AN ANGLEAT AN ANGLE to blow off dust and to blow off dust and

dirt.dirt. Pay attention to nooks and crannies and small areas Pay attention to nooks and crannies and small areas

where it is hard to reach e.g. card slot, jacks, view where it is hard to reach e.g. card slot, jacks, view finder area, etc.finder area, etc.

Use the normal brush to dislodge anything left and Use the normal brush to dislodge anything left and then the air again to remove it.then the air again to remove it.

Use only a Use only a DAMPDAMP towel (never a “wet” one) to wipe towel (never a “wet” one) to wipe the body of the camera. A damp cotton swab will help the body of the camera. A damp cotton swab will help get in some tight areas.get in some tight areas.


© N. David King


Camera Camera LENSLENS Exterior Exterior Use canned air Use canned air AT AN ANGLEAT AN ANGLE to blow off dust and to blow off dust and

dirt.dirt. Pay attention to nooks and crannies and small areas Pay attention to nooks and crannies and small areas

where it is hard to reach like focus rings, etc.where it is hard to reach like focus rings, etc. Use the normal brush to dislodge anything left and Use the normal brush to dislodge anything left and

then the air to remove it.then the air to remove it. Use only a Use only a DAMPDAMP towel (never a “wet” one) to wipe towel (never a “wet” one) to wipe

the body of the lens.the body of the lens.


© N. David King


Camera Camera LENSLENS Glass Glass Use air from Rocket Blower Use air from Rocket Blower AT AN ANGLEAT AN ANGLE to blow off to blow off

dust and dirt.dust and dirt. Pay attention to nooks and crannies and small areas Pay attention to nooks and crannies and small areas

where it is hard to reach like around threads.where it is hard to reach like around threads. Use the normal brush to dislodge anything left Use the normal brush to dislodge anything left

especially in filter threads and then the air to remove especially in filter threads and then the air to remove it.it.

Use a charged Nylon Brush for any remaining Use a charged Nylon Brush for any remaining particles on the glass. (Charge with canned air)particles on the glass. (Charge with canned air)


© N. David King


Camera Lens: GlassCamera Lens: Glass Use air from Rocket Blower Use air from Rocket Blower AT AN ANGLEAT AN ANGLE to blow off to blow off

dust and dirt.dust and dirt. Pay attention to nooks and crannies and small areas Pay attention to nooks and crannies and small areas

where it is hard to reach.where it is hard to reach. Use the normal brush to dislodge anything left Use the normal brush to dislodge anything left

especially in filter threads and then the air to remove especially in filter threads and then the air to remove it.it.


Use only a Use only a lint-free pad lint-free pad with a drop of cleaner in a spiral motion on the glass surface.


© N. David King


Camera Camera LENSLENS Glass Glass CAUTIONCAUTION

Do Not put liquid cleaner directly on the glass. It Do Not put liquid cleaner directly on the glass. It can remove the lens coating.can remove the lens coating.

Do not use so much cleaner that it pools on the Do not use so much cleaner that it pools on the glass or leaves streaks. If it streaks you are using glass or leaves streaks. If it streaks you are using cheap cleaner and/or you are using too much of it.cheap cleaner and/or you are using too much of it.

DO NOT USEDO NOT USE commercial glass cleaner such as commercial glass cleaner such as Windex on your lens. It WILL damage the coating. Windex on your lens. It WILL damage the coating. It may cost less than optical cleaner but the price of It may cost less than optical cleaner but the price of a new lens will kill that savings.a new lens will kill that savings.


© N. David King


Camera Body: Mirror ChamberCamera Body: Mirror Chamber Use air from Rocket BlowerUse air from Rocket Blower

AT AN ANGLEAT AN ANGLE to blow to blowoff dust and dirt. off dust and dirt. Hold camera upside Hold camera upside down to let particles falldown to let particles fallaway from body..away from body..


© N. David King


Camera Body: Mirror ChamberCamera Body: Mirror Chamber Use air from Rocket Blower Use air from Rocket Blower AT AN ANGLEAT AN ANGLE to blow off to blow off

dust and dirt. Hold camera upside down.dust and dirt. Hold camera upside down. Pay attention to nooks and crannies and small areas Pay attention to nooks and crannies and small areas

where it is hard to reach.where it is hard to reach. Use the normal brush to dislodge anything left Use the normal brush to dislodge anything left

especially in the lens mount and then the air to especially in the lens mount and then the air to remove it.remove it.


Use only a Use only a lint-free pad lint-free pad with a drop of cleaner on the mirror and Prism surfaces.


© N. David King


Camera Body: Mirror ChamberCamera Body: Mirror Chamber If you can see particles when looking through the If you can see particles when looking through the

viewfinder they are most likely either on the mirror or viewfinder they are most likely either on the mirror or prismprism

Caution on cleaning the Mirror…Caution on cleaning the Mirror…

The mirror is silvered on the outside and some The mirror is silvered on the outside and some cheap lens cleaners can remove the silvering or cheap lens cleaners can remove the silvering or particles can scratch it.particles can scratch it.


© N. David King


Camera Body: Sensor ChamberCamera Body: Sensor Chamber OK, here is the heart stopping part so lets back up and OK, here is the heart stopping part so lets back up and

consider what is really about to happen…consider what is really about to happen…

It is important to realize you are not It is important to realize you are not actually going to be mucking around actually going to be mucking around on the surface of the sensor.on the surface of the sensor.


© N. David King


You are not actually cleaning the surface of the You are not actually cleaning the surface of the sensor.sensor.

What is it you are really cleaning?

“Wafer” or support for Sensor/Chip

Sensor Body

Photo Sites/Sensors

© N. David King





Sensor Body

© N. David King

UV Cut Off Filter IR Cut Off Filter


Camera Body: Sensor ChamberCamera Body: Sensor Chamber To get into the sensor chamber you need to open and To get into the sensor chamber you need to open and

lock open the mirror.lock open the mirror. Menu options.Menu options. Auto versus Manual Cleaning.Auto versus Manual Cleaning. Use a newly charged battery or plug you camera into Use a newly charged battery or plug you camera into

the AC adapter if it has one.the AC adapter if it has one. Get everything ready for use to minimize the time the Get everything ready for use to minimize the time the

sensor chamber is exposed in order to limit the sensor chamber is exposed in order to limit the reintroduction of NEW dirt and dust.reintroduction of NEW dirt and dust.

Camera/Sensor Process (Continued)

© N. David King


Camera Body: Sensor ChamberCamera Body: Sensor Chamber With camera upside down blow out the sensor With camera upside down blow out the sensor

chamber with the rocket blower just as you did the chamber with the rocket blower just as you did the mirror chamber.mirror chamber.

Do a visual inspection of the sensor with a sensor Do a visual inspection of the sensor with a sensor scope, magnifying glass, or just against a good flat scope, magnifying glass, or just against a good flat light reflection. light reflection.

If you see something on the sensor use the blower If you see something on the sensor use the blower again. again.

Use a sensor scope or do a shot test to see if you got Use a sensor scope or do a shot test to see if you got it all.it all.

If it is clean then stop… if not then go to the next step. If it is clean then stop… if not then go to the next step.


© N. David King


Camera Body: Sensor ChamberCamera Body: Sensor Chamber If the blower did not remove all particles, now proceed If the blower did not remove all particles, now proceed

to LIGHTLY use the charged nylon brush.to LIGHTLY use the charged nylon brush.


© N. David King


Camera Body: Sensor ChamberCamera Body: Sensor Chamber If the blower did not remove all particles, now proceed If the blower did not remove all particles, now proceed

to LIGHTLY use the charged nylon brush.to LIGHTLY use the charged nylon brush. Inspect the sensor again with scope or test shot.Inspect the sensor again with scope or test shot. If it is clean then stop, close the mirror and put camera If it is clean then stop, close the mirror and put camera

away.away. If there are still particles showing, you might recharge If there are still particles showing, you might recharge

the brush and go again but if that fails to remove the the brush and go again but if that fails to remove the particles then now it is time to use the sensor swabs.particles then now it is time to use the sensor swabs.


© N. David King


Camera Body: Sensor ChamberCamera Body: Sensor Chamber Using the Sensor SwabsUsing the Sensor Swabs

Use a SINGLE drop of solution on the tip of the swab. It Use a SINGLE drop of solution on the tip of the swab. It should be damp but NOT WET.should be damp but NOT WET.

Make a single pass in eachMake a single pass in each direction and then toss the direction and then toss the swab away. swab away.


© N. David King


Camera Body: Sensor ChamberCamera Body: Sensor Chamber After using a sensor swab, inspect the sensor again After using a sensor swab, inspect the sensor again

with scope or test shot. with scope or test shot. If clean then close mirror and put camera away.If clean then close mirror and put camera away. If not, repeat.If not, repeat. If you KEEP the camera clean you will generally If you KEEP the camera clean you will generally

end up with the sensor clean after only the blower end up with the sensor clean after only the blower or brush.or brush.


© N. David King


You can download my handout on sensor You can download my handout on sensor cleaning from the SDCC page on my web site:cleaning from the SDCC page on my web site:

www.ndavidking.com/sdccd.htmwww.ndavidking.com/sdccd.htm


© N. David King

cleaning the sensor on your dslr (and the rest of the camera as well…) presented by n. david king

Documents

camerasensor cleaning

david king slide

dslr sensor sure

canned air

sealed clean room

proper supplies

elses camerasensor process

right equipment