Dust on sensors and cleaning it is a popular subject on many forums, and, as often is such cases, one can read almost anything on the subject. Frightened, some photographers no longer dare to change lenses, afraid of dust, they do without one of the main advantages of DSLRs : being able to change lenses.

Of course, one should not change lenses in any situation, but by taking minimum precautions, one can avoid numerous problems. A few rules to follow in order to space out sensor cleanings:

• - Avoid exposing your equipment to dust.
• - Clean regularly your lenses, particularly the side that gets connected to the DSLR.
• - Clean regularly your camera bag, and vacuum dust inside it.
• - Clean regularly your lenses’ caps and do not let lenses without caps for long periods.
• - When you change lenses, keep your camera with the sensor downwards
• - Avoid changing lenses in dusty environments, particularly when it is windy.
• - It is not a good idea to walk with your camera slung across the shoulder, it is better to put it back in the camera bag every time.
• - A smoker has more risks to get a nicotine sheen on his lenses and sensor...

A point needs to be clarified : it is not the sensor itself, but a protection filter situated above the sensor, that gets cleaned. It is not the same thing, as the filter is much less fragile than the sensor itself ! Also note that the dust you see in the view finder is not on the sensor, but either on the viewfinder itself or on the mirror, or else on the mat screen.

I provide you two methods to clean your sensor, they are equal... As far as I’m concerned I combine both: I use brushes on a regular basis, and every three month I do a more thorough with the Eclipse solution.

Cleaning a sensor is not complicated, provided that it is done with care and with the adequate tools. However, a sensor remains nevertheless a fragile equipement, I refuse any responsibility for damage that may occur during the cleaning described in this document.

Before starting any cleaning, you need to check that is indeed necessary:

• - Want to be appalled by how much dust is already on your sensor? Using a small aperture (F/16 or F/22), take a picture of a plain white surface (wall, ceiling, sheet of paper, whatever),
• - open the shot in Photoshop and apply Auto Levels. Bingo! Assuming that your plain white surface was really plain and white, all that gook you see is stuff sitting on your sensor.

Cleaning a sensor is a simple operation, but you need to respect a few steps:

• - Settle down in good conditions, on a clear and dustless work surface.
• - Check that your camera’s battery is fully charged, as cleaning is done with the mirror turned up and the shutter open. If the camera lacks energy, these two devices will go back to their usual position ...
• - Take your time, do not start cleaning two minutes before leaving...

Whatever the cleaning method you choose, you will need to do the following:

• - Take away the lense, and do not forget to put two caps on it, in order to avoid getting dust that will get in your camera when you will put the lens.
• - Put the camera in the mode that puts the mirror up for cleaning (check your camera’s manual to find how to use that mode).

The so called wet cleaning solutions are usually a liquid (Isopropanol / Methanol) and sensor swabs. It is very important not to use any liquid, as it could alter the protection filter of the sensor. One should absolutely not use cleaning liquids such as those used to clean windows (the filter is not made with regular glass), surgical spirit, spirit, etc ...

The Eclipse liquid / SensorSwab is the most famous brand available.

This method is very simple:

• - Put 2 or 3 drops of liquid on a sensor swab (be careful not to put too much liquid, the aim is not to drown the sensor).
• - Clean delicately the sensor, going always in the same direction (2 or 3 times) particularly insisting on angles.

When you have finished cleaning the sensor, do not keep the swab, as the dus tit has captured may scratch the sensor filter.

Beware : the liquid is highly volatile, close the bottle carefully after use, or you may not find any liquid left next time you need it !

Visible Dust sells a brush kit, which bristles get a special treatment in order to attract and hold dust and other residue, rather than just scattering them on the surface of the sensor. Each kit contains 2 brushes, which size is particularly adapted to the dimensions of your camera’s sensor:

• - A first brush with thicker bristles that needs to be loaded with static electricity by using a dry air spray.
• - A second brush with thinner bristles that you can load with static electricity simply using a simple blower.

Using the Sensor Brush kit is very simple:

• - Blow air with an air spray (being careful not to throw out liquid) on the brush’s bristles during 10 to 20 seconds in order to load the latter with static electricity.
• - Wipe the sensor from left to right with the brush in one single movement.
• - Blow air on the brush again, to get rid of impurities, and to chargeit once more with static electricity.
• - Repeat this operation as many times as needed, being particularly careful to blow air every time.

Once the sensor is clean, turn the camera off in order to put it back to its initial state(mirror and shutter), turn it on again and do the test to check the presence of dust. If some remains, do the cleaning again. If after a second cleaning some particles remain, it means that they are too oily to be removed with the Sensor Brush, you will have to use the wet solution.

Do not use the brush to clean other parts of your camera, you would only load it with impurities that would be difficult to remove. Every 2 or 3 cleanings, it is necessary to clean the brush itself : you can use dishwashing liquid. Be careful, this cleaning liquid should not contain perfume, glycerin or moisturizing agent.