How To SAFELY Clean Your Camera Sensor & Lens

[@muhdlokman8633]

what a good sharing thanks mate!

[@KobusTollig1]

Great info Mark. Well done.

[@MarkDumbleton]

Thanks so much for the feedback Kobus! Much appreciated!

[@wildpatagoniafilms16]

Another awesome post! Thanks! I noticed you use TK9 panel... I come form other panels (Lumenzia...), but just got the TK. It seems a bit more sophisticated but way more powerful! is there a possibility for you to post how you use the TK...? Not going through every key/button! 😂 It will take hours! But mainly how and what you regularly use for your files... Thanks! cheers!

[@MarkDumbleton]

Appreciate the comment! I use TK8 panel currently, but only very basically and don’t have a whole host of knowledge about it. I would suggest checking out Sean Bagshaw’s channel, he does a lot of TK related content and is the best person to follow for TK stuff.

[@carolbell4550]

Mark this is something I have always wanted to know...... when not living in "the City" one has to do things oneself. Thank you so much for this advise....... I am sure I can get the cleaning material sent to me. .

[@MarkDumbleton]

Thanks Carol, thanks for watching. Where do you stay? K&F South Africa will definitely be able to send you a delivery.

[@carolbell4550]

Mark I stay in Marloth Park ..... near Kamatiport......near Croc Gate Kruger.....

[@yahyanael]

I have used this kit, the fiber cloth is smooth but in the edges it is very sharp and Ive heard some scratches but I don't want to face the reality, please take care

[@MarkDumbleton]

Thanks for sharing your experience with the kit.

[@rstebnicki]

Lightroom got option visualise spots, you should use this one, not clarity slider.

[@MarkDumbleton]

Absolutely, a very good tool to use. I use that a lot.

[@oneeyedphotographer]

I generally do not change lenses in the field. Nothing to do with dust, it's just My Way. I'm here because I bought a lens on eBay, and on opening I discovered NO BODY-END CAP. Ignoring time, it would be cheaper to buy a replacement than to have it professionally cleaned. I need to chase down internal dust, as best I can.

[@MarkDumbleton]

Makes perfect sense to leave the lens attached as much as possible.

[@julien4867]

Hi Mark, thank you for your advice. Before watching the video I cleaned the sensor with a charcoal pen from k&f (the one that I should use for the lenses…). I rubbed a bit the sensor to remove few dust but it was not enough so I ordered the swab kit (and that’s fine now). Is it possible that I created micro scratches using the charcoal pen ? (I don’t see anything on the sensor, maybe just some sort of almost invisible pen waves/movement traces when I turn the flashlight in all directions 😄) Thank you!

[@MarkDumbleton]

Hi there. Thanks for the comment 😊 I wouldn’t think there would be an issue using the pen you used. It’s really soft and there is a strong protective cover in front of the actual sensor, so I think if you can’t notice any defects when viewing the images, I think you’re fine.

[@misha4422]

Do snsor cleaning in a “dust free environment?” Having worked in semiconductor fab clean rooms, EVERY PLACE ELSE has floating dust. So, do it in less dusty places, not outside in Death Valley on a windy day, for example. And, avoid pollen season.

[@MarkDumbleton]

Thanks for the comment. I agree, there never is a dust free environment.

[@ArthurAntoneliHans]

I was in a hurry and I cleaned my sensor with zeiss lens wipe, I was really careful and gentle when I cleaned, but now searching how to properly clean I found out I was not supposed to do that. Should I be worried?!?!? (I didn’t noticed any damage and any difference in my camera, and I always cleaned my camera with professionals, this was the only time I cleaned my sensor.) Camera: Sony A7Riii

[@MarkDumbleton]

I don’t think a Zeiss Lens wipe will do any harm, and that liquid would have dried super quick.

[@vikrantrm4237]

what are disadvantages of using wrong size swabs on wrong or different sizes of sensors ? just like cleaning 16mm swab on 35mm sensor or opposite of that !!!

[@MarkDumbleton]

I don’t think there is any disadvantage, it will just be less convenient to clean but I don’t see it being a problem. You’ll just need to make multiple passes if the swab is too small, and if the swab is too big, just swipe from top to bottom rather than left to right.

[@vikrantrm4237]

@@MarkDumbleton yes... thanks.. same I was thinking...

[@peteru3357]

I tried my r10 using a sensor wipe by K&f I notice it cause some sticky thing to my sensor and have a small scratch.

[@MarkDumbleton]

That’s strange, I’ve never had that issue. Perhaps there was too much solution on the swab.

[@peteru3357]

@@MarkDumbleton Maybe that's the reason Im scared now to DIY so next time I will just go to tech for my sensor cleaning.

[@lbl1872]

May I know, for the k&f cleaning solution, is it a lens cleaning solution or is there also a sensor cleaning solution? Is it ok to use a lens cleaning solution to clean the sensor? Thank you

[@MarkDumbleton]

Hi, thanks for the question. There is a sensor cleaning solution available, I’m not sure if it’s ok to you lens cleaning solution for a sensor, so I would rather err on the side of caution and stick to just the sensor solution for sensor cleaning.

[@lbl1872]

@@MarkDumbleton​​⁠I’ve noticed that for some sites selling this brand of sensor cleaning kit, the solution that the buyers receive are lens cleaning solution and not sensor cleaning solution, when it was marketed as a sensor cleaning kit. Similarly, some of the links you have posted lead to lens cleaning solution and not sensor cleaning solution being included in the package of sensor cleaning kit. That’s why I’m wondering if lens solution works as a sensor cleaning solution too. I’m not comfortable using lens cleaning solution to clean the sensor either, but thought that I may be wrong since I keep seeing lens cleaning solution being used in the cleaning of cam sensors and they actually have the same function of cleaning off dirt/ dust etc

[@marcoscarrillo4449]

There is a black speck when I look from my view finder. My photos come out clear but it’s still annoying. Im not sure what it’s called but it’s the white portion on top of the mirrors. It almost has a textured feel to it any ideas on what it’s called?

[@MarkDumbleton]

Hi there, what camera are you using? There must be a speck of dust either on the mirror (if you’re using a dslr) or somewhere on the evf if you’re using mirrorless camera.

[@marcoscarrillo4449]

@@MarkDumbleton hey sorry I missed your response sorry! I’m using a Nikon D3400 I’ve already cleaned all the mirrors and it’s still there. When I look through the view finder I try to find it with a little needle and it seem to be like on the top portion if that makes sense. I’ve tried finding the name of it but I can’t lol I feel so dumb

[@adam461smith]

@@marcoscarrillo4449 Sorry if I’m too late to comment, I’ve just watched this video today. It sounds like you’ve got a mark/scratch on the focusing screen which is very common, I wouldn’t worry about it as it won’t actually show up on your pictures, you can only see it through the viewfinder. The coating on the screen (top of camera, oposite the mirror) is not very resilient, so it’s best not to touch it or scrub it, I know a photographer who did just that and pretty much ruined her camera. You could try taking a sensor brush and very gently stroke it across the screen, that can sometimes dislodge whats there, but sometimes it’s actually a scratch and your stuck with it, unless you change the focusing screen, which would be very expensive. Aside from that, don’t worry about it.

[@DrAsian_Jesus]

what sensor cleaning products should i get? the ones i am currently using only has 4 sensor cleaners for $30

[@MarkDumbleton]

Try the K&F concept sensor swabs. I have had good success with them. Check out the links to them in the description.

[@DrAsian_Jesus]

@@MarkDumbleton ty

[@julmarfilms2637]

Is it okay if I don’t use a liquid cleaning solution?

[@MarkDumbleton]

I’m not 100% sure to be honest. I’ve never tried, but I would advise to rather use a liquid, as that will help get rid of any smudges or bits on the sensor. I don’t think using a swab with no liquid would do any damage.

[@TerryKawengian]

Hi mark.. it's possible to battery take out from camera before cleaning?

[@MarkDumbleton]

Hi Terry, you can take the battery out if you want to, provided that your cameras sensor is exposed so you can clean it.

[@Stasiek_Zabojca]

If your camera has image stabilization system, you first have to lock sensor in place using option in menu. You have to do it with camera turned on (and quite high charged battery for safety). You can't do it with camera turned off and without battery.

[@oneeyedphotographer]

@@Stasiek_Zabojca I have not seen such an option in any of my mirrorless camera, perhaps it's specific to particular brands.

[@Stasiek_Zabojca]

@@oneeyedphotographer Google Sony Sensor Cleaning Mode. I doesn't say directly that it locks sensor in place, but it does.

[@m.h.mcarver2904]

And what if my photo is clean but before i shot i see dust!

[@MarkDumbleton]

Are you using a DSLR camera? There might be dust on the mirror and that’s why you’ll see it when taking the photo looking through the viewfinder and not see it on the photo.

[@m.h.mcarver2904]

My camera is 6d mark ii and already cleaned it but no change

[@Ecl1pseFTW]

This is the scariest thing I've ever done🫠

[@MarkDumbleton]

It does take some getting used to.

[@ThiagoConsortiFotografia]

And be aware that it will never be completely clean if it is not done by a laboratory technician :)

[@MarkDumbleton]

True! Doing it ourselves is never 100% perfect.

[@USGrant21st]

Actually Nikon is expressly prohibiting cleaning the sensor with anything but a blower. "Do not use a blower-brush. The bristles could damage the sensor. Dirt that cannot be removed with a blower can only be removed by Nikon-authorized service personnel. Under no circumstances should you touch or wipe the sensor."

[@MarkDumbleton]

Thanks for that. Can you please point me in the direction of where they have said that?

[@USGrant21st]

@@MarkDumbleton every Nikon camera manual has the same warning. Look for the section titled "Manual Cleaning".

[@smolbodybuilder1602]

well they just want your cash. Of course you can clean it yourself just pay attention

[@USGrant21st]

@@smolbodybuilder1602 you *can* do anything, you can drown your camera if you like. Nikon gave you warning, the rest is up to you.

[@smolbodybuilder1602]

@@USGrant21st yes of course but cleaing the sensor is super easy. no need to spend $ if you can clean it yourself

[@poche660]

It's a piece of glass. People get too worried about it.

[@MarkDumbleton]

That is true, not as scary as people think.