Cleaning Your Camera Sensor: Should You? | How To | DA

[@stefan_becker]

Thanks for the helpful video! What also worked for me in some cases is turn the camera off. Then put it lens down somewhere over night and blow the dust off next morning without(!) switching on the camera. This way the sensor gets discharged over night and the dust will come off more easily.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Interesting point...though one that only works if you don't have the guard that comes down over the sensor.

[@oscarshen6855]

Cleaning you sensor isn't that scary. Sensors are tougher than most people think, just don't use compressed air and it's very unlikely that you can damage it, poking it with something plastic won't damage it. Of course you can give it to your local camera shop and they can clean it for like 20$, but with the same money you can buy a dedicated cleaning kit and do it yourself, it's real not that hard if you have any DIY experience.

[@thegeneral123]

Indeed exactly this. When you clean a sensor you're not actually physically touching the elements of the sensor. You're cleaning a very high end bit of glass over the sensor. You don't want to risk damage to this glass but it's no where near as delicate as people think. Gentle wet wiping with very clean brand new sensor swabs after a good blow out with a rocket blower, runs almost zero risk of causing harm. I'd only send one of my cameras in for professional cleaning if it were full of sand or something ridiculous. Changing lenses in a sand storm or similar. Only an idiot would do that though. Another pro tip is a lot of photography shows have free sensor cleaning for cameras of a brand at their own stalls. I know Panasonic and Sony offer this at shows I've been too.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

The short answer is that you're both correct, but that doesn't mean that people won't make the problem worse (streaking, fibers from cleaning cloths, etc...) if they don't know what they're doing.

[@georgedavall9449]

Yes Oscar, I have wet cleaned sensors in the past. I try to avoid it if at ALL POSSIBLE! Dustin makes some valid points, and I might add, if I owned one of the newer Mirrorless with IBIS, I would N O T wet clean or touch the sensor/ anti aliasing filter area! It could cause something to be damaged and then cause a malfunction. Just MHO. Take care

[@heritageimaging7768]

$20? Vistek $69.99. Nikon $50 plus loss of camera for weeks.

[@georgedavall9449]

@@heritageimaging7768 “ you pays ya money, ya takes ya chances “ as the old saying goes. Wet cleaning can be a hit and miss operation. It all depends on humidity and surroundings, and technique I suppose. Again, I would be leary when dealing with a camera body with IBIS. Most times one should be able to get by using the ‘clean function’ in the camera menu, combined with a Giottos type blower. Of course, YMMV.

[@thegeneral123]

True story, a friend of mine, who actually does filming semi professionally and whom is a very skilled photographer. Moved from Canon DSLR cameras to a Sony A7iii about three years ago. He had always used duster gas to clean the "sensor" area with his DSLRs, which would have actually been the mirror he was cleaning and did the same with his new Sony A7iii out of habit. It made such a mess he had to send to away for professional cleaning. I was staggered at the stupidity of this move but to him, cameras and the paraphernalia are just tools that he uses. I am very sensitive to lens and sensor dust and find my A7ii a pain in the rear as it is a dust magnet. My X-T3 and X-T1 don't seem to have this issue, same with my GX80. I do the rocket blower with the camera faced down most often as this gets most things. Then a wet cleaning method if necessary. If I am travelling and photography is a big part of my trip. I always carry a lens and sensor cleaning kit with me. Which also includes some wet cleaning options for the sensor.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I definitely saw a much bigger problem with dust after adding Sony to my kit. The A1 has been better due to having that cover over the sensor, but Canon still wins because of running an auto dust removal cycle at powerdown.

[@philindeblanc]

yes, me 3. Sony with such a shallow opening to sensor its a dust issue almost every time i shoot. wish you didnt have to turn off to close the curtain. nice to have though, and should have had it by II series bodies. I have a sensor scope that helps

[@DA-yd2ny]

Thanks, Dustin. BTW, those cans of compressed air cause the air to cool down as the pressure in the bottle diminishes while blowing, hence , the air starts to condensate and blows water tiny droplets on to the processor ...... I recently bought a sensor cleaning kit and do it now myself. I enjoy it :)

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I'm glad it's working for you.

[@NeXMaX]

How’s the Blowerbaby holding up? Been thinking of getting one as a general purpose air blower not just for cameras but also for computing equipment

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I use it regularly and have had no issues with it

[@NeXMaX]

Thanks. First impressions of it look really good, so I've been really interested in picking one up, especially since my local camera store has a few.

[@ourhouseuk]

@dustin I came across this looking for a conversation of the shutter close when powered off feature. A lot of people seem very worried about shutter damage. I just bought some nylon paintbrushes (required soaking and cleaning prior to use) to be electrostatically charged with air. The ‘purpose built’ brush is insanely expensive given it’s a standard nylon paintbrush. High volume airflow worries me, will it knock other things loose beyond a certain CFM…

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Clearly the closing of the shutter blades at powering off is effective, as it is pretty much universally offered on all better quality cameras at this point.

[@Allthingsvadya]

would a leaf blower work?

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

LOL - that's too crude a tool for the job. Like using a chainsaw to carve a turkey!

[@superoomnia1574]

For dust spots, I have also some good experience with Arctic Butterfly from Visible Dust. It is static charged which helps to displace some stubborn spots.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

That sounds interesting.

[@charlesdavis6371]

A topic that's become more and more important as mirrorless becomes more popular. I have cleaned a couple sensors, but only on a couple of my lower end bodies, anything on the higher end I've sent in. Thank you for this Dustin. Hope you're doing well.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Thanks for the nice feedback, Charles...and yes, I'm doing well.

[@philindeblanc]

there are blowers with a filter which i recommend, also a static charged brush first....before wiping.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

One with a filter (like the one I demonstrated) is a good idea as it prevents dust being blown onto the sensor.

[@brentnewman450]

My first experience cleaning my a7rii was terrifying. I was very thorough in reading about swabbing made sure to lock the sensor in place, but when I finished, I noticed a long, but very thin mark on the sensor. First I thought it was a swab mark but I couldn't get it off. My confidence quickly eroded and I began to panic that a hard particle scratched the sensor. I frantically begin calling camera shops to get it checked out. After 10 days in the shop, I got a call to come in. I showed up and the technician looked uneasy fueling my anxiety. I told him who I was and he casually said that he cleaned my camera. I asked him about this streak and he then remembered who I was and explained that he too thought it was scratched, but was able to remove the streak. I still clean my own sensor, but now I am much more cautious about diving in. You really need to thoroughly inspect the surface of the sensor before you decide to take it on.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Yep - it can be a scary process.

[@georgedavall9449]

Great comment Brent. Like I have mentioned, I personally would be leary doing a cleaning on a camera with IBIS. Sorry, but Sony’s seem to be dust magnets? I do think Canon has one of the best self cleaning processes, as Dustin stated. You might try the method Stefan Becker mentioned in above comment? I think your experience is common among most that first attempt this, so don’t be too hard on yourself. Peace

[@brentnewman450]

Though I have have not owned other mirrorless brands, Sony has been a dust collector for me. I'll try the discharged static method as mentioned. But I suspect one problem for me is shooting in very cold conditions (astro and winter alpine conditions) so as much as I try to avoid rapid warming back inside of a car or house, I am probably still having some level of condensation which seems to glue particles to the sensor.

[@ernieojeda]

I have my air pressure blower the ones you squeeze. I try dusting it every few days or so or if I see a spec of dust on it. I don’t let dust stay on long before it gets harder to get off

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Sounds good.

[@unalozmen526]

Wouldn’t it be nice to have a conical attachment on that blower baby to increase blowing air speed?

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Interesting thought.

[@stevewhiteley9249]

I’ve used a swab kit on LUMIX and Olympus M43 bodies with no problem. Turn the camera ON and disengage the IBIS to stop the sensor floating around.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Interesting about turning off the IBIS...and doing it with the camera turned on.

[@taofang7294]

I like your videos, especially the reviews. I wonder if you have any plan reviewing the new Samyang 50mm 1.4/f II lens.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I'm working on it right now.

[@woodysranch2690]

I want your table top tripod - couldnt spot it in any of your tripod reviews.

[@georgedavall9449]

I hear ya! I’m trying to figure out the brand? I think it’s an Oben? Dustin didn’t include it in the information section.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Oben Tabletop Tripod shown in video: bhpho.to/3vL8YWy

[@phatrix111]

perfect timing, i was just looking at my EOS R sensor yesterday and noticed some slight dusting and wont go away

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Glad I could help!

[@georgedavall9449]

Dustin Abbott Sir! Great content as usual! Please tell me what that table top tripod is? It is not listed in your information below the video. It looks to be an Oben? And have you had good service out of it? Thanks!!! 👍👍👍✌🏻📷

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Oben Tabletop Tripod shown in video: bhpho.to/3vL8YWy. And yes, I'm very happy with it.

[@georgedavall9449]

@@DustinAbbottTWI Thank You for the reply Dustin! I feel I have moved up a notch in Life, getting a reply from you! ☺️ I’ve watched a ton of your great content whilst getting over Covid. Glad to be a Subscriber! Take care Sir!

[@ByStephenJones]

Cool product!

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I think so too!

[@philindeblanc]

been using Ewipes for over a decade...works nice with a credit card cut to sensor size

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

The credit card idea is a good one.

[@robp.1575]

Hey Dustin, are you going to make a review of the A7 IV? I really liked your thorough review of the A7R IV and would be interested in how the A7 IV compares in terms of quality and noise to the other models. Everybody else only seems to do video quality comparisons these days…

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I'm working on it right now. The a7IV arrived yesterday.

[@WhittyPics]

I have one of the magnifier lights to look at it. Cleaning swabs make the most sense to me.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

That's a useful tool if you want to be more surgical

[@benjamindover4337]

Great topic. Thank you.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@robertcudlipp3426]

Cameras, more than ever, are highly sophisticated pieces of equipment. The top 2/3 top large repair companies in Australia offer sensor cleaning at reasonable prices. Have seen a few YT videos, mainly for Sony apsc bodies in which presenter basically " attacked" sensors, presumably to demonstrate how difficult it would be to damage. This may be acceptable to some, however, having paid out quite large sums for repairs to 2nd hand bodies and lens, I will just leave this to the experts.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

And that's exactly why I make that distinction in this video. Advanced cleaning of the sensor glass simply isn't for everyone.

[@justonbrazda3846]

How does one go about having Sony clean their sensor?

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Just reach out to their service in your country and they'll give you instructions.

[@derekshearer9049]

Do not tilt camer down.. There is a sticky strip. Keep the camera in landscape shooting position....

[@georgedavall9449]

That’s a great point, Derek! Most camera manuals advise to keep the camera level, when turning on and off, as the ultrasonic cleaning process works better. But to Dustin’s point; I always keep camera pointed down, or at an angle, whilst changing lenses, and then I use either my Giottos or Sensei blower, into the cavity, before putting on the lens. Also, blow out the rear lens cap before putting on, and carefully blow out the rear of the lens. This helps reduce likelihood of dust being introduced into the body, and the sensor! Peace and stay safe and Healthy!

[@derekshearer9049]

@@georgedavall9449. I only ever ha an issue with dust on a Sensor. My Canon 6D. My 40D, 7D, 7DII and 5DIV never needed cleaning

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Hmmm, I'm not sure you've made your point here, Derek. Pointing the camera down for cleaning when blowing helps the chances of the dust particles evacuating the sensor cavity.

[@derekshearer9049]

@@DustinAbbottTWI. Dust particles don't obey the law of gravity when airflow is introduced. Static plays the largest role. tilting the camera down and using the dust removal feature displaces the dust in air to stick back on the sensor or onto the lens. with the lend attached and the camera in the horizontal shooting position start the sensor cleaning utility and the dust is dislodged and falls to the adhesive strip under the sensor...

[@Reviews4fun1]

Used a blower can on my sensor once and to my horror, liquid propellant came out and splotched onto my sensor. Within about 2 seconds it evaporated away and my day was saved. Basic cleaning everyone should do, unless there’s mud. I would send it in for mud.

[@WhittyPics]

Those dust off cans often blow some water on your sensor. You actually are not cleaning but the IR filters on top of the sensor. There are filters stacked on top of the sensor

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

It's true that the propellant streaks do evaporate, but the various liquids and oils there aren't worth introducing onto your sensor.

[@timelesstruths]

Grrat advice.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Thank you

[@AR-vf7vg]

Sad here it was thus not loudly suggested to Sony to make an easy firmware update for and to each of its many cameras witch, indeed, have this (cumbersome) 'sensor shaking" feature available (but a "pain to remember") - to retroACTIVALLY deliver a simple firmware update rendring this "dustoffshacking" ability to become an option to systematicly perform at every camera shutdown automatically, or similar options, witch where introduced many years ago already on Canons dslrs !

[@georgedavall9449]

Sony’s suck, Air, that is! 😳🤔😂 that’s all there is to it

[@AR-vf7vg]

@@georgedavall9449 😄

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

That's a valid point. Canon has been better on this front than Sony for a long time.

[@AR-vf7vg]

@@DustinAbbottTWI Not inclined however to 'tell' Sony to make such firmware updates (as I imagine to be easily possible, retroactivall, for/on all their models with the manual activation already implemented) ?

[@davidburton2294]

Once again spot on Dustin - or should I say 'spot off - Dust - out! (apologies) :)

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

LOL

[@elcano091]

I've shoved so many microfiber cloth/towels directly on so many camera sensors you guys would gasp to death.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

LOL - and you've lived to tell the tale!

[@ByStephenJones]

Canon CPS program 10/10… get my repairs, and a free loaner when mine is in the shop.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Right. I've been happy with the professional services of both Canon and Sony.

[@snymat_68]

Sensors are covered with glass. Just be gentle and you can't really hurt it.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

While it is true that sensors (and their covers) are relatively tough, you can certainly make things worse by adding streaks if you don't know what you're doing.

[@snymat_68]

@@DustinAbbottTWI I completely agree. Although, adding streaks isn't damage.

[@peterebel7899]

A long time ago I had a lot trouble with Sensor dust. Canon started to implement sensor cleaning with 1D III and my life changed :-) Canons strategy of - covering the sensor when not in use (mirrorless!) - sensor coating - active sensor cleaning with every camera power down and my strategy - never keep the rear element from any lens uncovered as the camera body - no lens changes in dusty conditions/ protect at least with your body, inside a car, ... Made me free of any need of sensor cleaning for much more than a decade now shooting Canon. (some KZbinr are terrible teachers putting lenses without a cap rear down on tables, ... . They have the need of sensor cleaning) And it seems the standards of sensor cleaning systems/coating differs across the brands.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

It's true that Canon does a better job with this than anyone else. As for KZbinrs - I can't speak for everyone, but part of the process of demonstrating products is that you have to show sensors, rear of lenses, the length of lenses without caps, etc... I'm very protective of my gear, but I also have a job to do.

[@peterebel7899]

@@DustinAbbottTWI Dustin I do know you being very protective to your gear, I really like this. I remember a vid on another channel presenting several lenses in a row all resting on a rough wooden table with no rear cap mounted... It looks to me like like many photographers are unaware of every little dust on the rear element being possible future sensor dust. But dust on the front element doesn't hurt too much. When it's coming close to a sandbox you are starting to loose contrast and brilliance.... Sorry for me being picky with this aspect: Back in film times the "telegraph lines were the very most annoying experience in photography, Shooting digital sensor dust is not much less annoying. I am 100% with your message: In any doubt do not put any own hands to the sensor. I learnt this lesson back in film times with cleaning a matte screen of a SLR. This caused only inconvenience while using, no effect to the pictures taken at all.

[@AliRastafa]

Cleaning sensor is easy with proper tools. Please check yt video from Arthur R, How Scratch… where you will see that its not possible to harm your sensor with good size sensor cleaning kit. Come on DustIN

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

...with proper tools, and experience. While harming your sensor may be difficult to do, it is very easy to make matters worse if you don't know what you're doing with streaks, fibers, etc... I'm just trying to give an audience with a broad range of technical abilities my best advise...which I stand by.

[@aliendroneservices6621]

1:05 "And it shows up more, actually, as you stop the aperture down." False. Dust on the sensor won't look any different as lens-aperture changes.

[@thegeneral123]

Only, it does become a lot easier to see when you go F8 and "higher" by closing the aperture down. I don't have an explanation as to why but I am extremely sensitive to sensor dust and absolutely find it's far more noticeable at F8 up. I clean my sensors without issue and have learnt to use a rocket blower while holding the camera pointing down as the first step and then use light to look at the sensor. If there's still stubborn specs or hairs I can't remove with the blower, I get out the wet cleaner.

[@stefpix]

that is not true. I see the dust on the sensor in a photo with a lot of sky more with a ultra wide angle lens stopped down. If i open up, the dust becomes less noticeable. The dust is on the sensor, not on the lens, as it is always in the same spot

[@stefpix]

@@oscararborist I am wrong, but the dust on the sensor does not care. If I open the aperture, it becomes less visible. Try yourself when you see some dust in the sky.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Ummm, I demonstrated the falsehood of this statement in the video with the video clips at F1.8 and then at F11. You can see nothing at F1.8 in the video; you can very obviously see a fiber as a black blob at F11.

[@stefpix]

@@DustinAbbottTWI it is my experience as well. I don’t know why, but at times I had to take wide photos of buildings and I had to open the aperture to prevent dust spots to be noticeable in the sky. If the dust was on the lens surface it would not look so defined.