Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2010/01/26
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]great summary, thanks, Steve On Jan 26, 2010, at 2:04 AM, Douglas Sharp wrote: > The smaller the aperture, the more spots you will find - I regularly shoot > a predominantly light subject with a small aperture - sky or a piece of > paper - to check for sensor spots. > > To avoid having to use swabs and fluid, first shoot 2 to 5 shots before > and after using a blower and a brush (Arctic Butterfly) to find out > whether the spots are at the same location every time. > > If they change location or disappear, they were caused by dust, if they > stay where they were in every shot, they are caused by something sticking > to the sensor surface. This means you'll have to get out the swabs. > > Never use swabs without having removed loose dust beforehand - you could > end up scratching your sensor. > > Don't expect to be able to see spots on your sensor with the naked eye - > you'll hardly ever find them. > > When viewing a shot with spots, remember that the sensor records the image > upside down - this means that a spot at the top of the picture is at the > bottom of the sensor. > > Here's a series of shots before and after cleaning > > First step: use a blower to get off any loose dust. > > Second step: (I agree) the Arctic Butterfly brushes are very good, and > pick of a lot of the more resistant dust. > > Third step: if you still have sensor spots, the only remedy is swabs and > cleaning fluid. > > My experience is that they work very well if you follow the instructions > and do it carefully. It often only gets the sensor really clean after 2 or > even 3 passes with clean swabs each time. > > Sensor spots to the right of the tower: > http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/DMS/Bits+and+Pieces/Spots.jpg.html > > First wipe - this can sometimes move a spot to a different part of the > sensor - to the right of the tower but closer to it: > http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/DMS/Bits+and+Pieces/First_wipe.jpg.html > > Second wipe: > http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/DMS/Bits+and+Pieces/second_wipe.jpg.html > > The remaining spots are birds ;-) > > BTW: I'm very wary of things like lens pens when it comes to sensor > cleaning. > > Douglas > > On 26.01.2010 07:10, leo wesson wrote: >> I like the artic butterfly brush. Eventually you will wind up buying >> cleaners and swabs. It's ridiculously expensive stuff, but once you >> learn to use it, it's worth it. >> http://www.visibledust.com/products3.php?pid=3 >> >> Leo Wesson >> Photographer/Videographer >> 817.733.9157 >> www.leowesson.com >> >> >> >> On Tue, Jan 26, 2010 at 12:00 AM, Frank Filippone<red735i at >> earthlink.net> wrote: >> >>> I took the M8 on a recent 3 week trip. Within a few days the sensor was >>> pretty dirty... and of course, I did not bring any cleaning stuff ( my >>> first >>> digi-camera, so what did I know?). >>> >>> Bottom line is a lot of images that need to be cleaned, if possible.... >>> >>> Is this typical of digital cameras and the M8 in particular? >>> >>> Yes, I changed lenses a lot..... >>> The environment was mostly dampish.... not dusty like a desert.... >>> >>> Question... I do not need any gizmos to see the dust, it is pretty >>> obvious >>> on the sensor..... Should I send it to Leica USA for a $75 sensor >>> cleaning, then keep it clean myself or just clean it myself and learn >>> from >>> that experience and continue forward with cleaning it myself from now on? >>> >>> How often do you clean your sensor ( Leica or otherwise...)? Is it a >>> daily >>> routine? ( yes, I realize that dusty = more often, not used = less >>> often)..... >>> >>> Lastly.. how do you minimize dust with Digi-cameras? Not changing lenses >>> comes to mind.... but then I have a very expensive P+S..... >>> Use only the Tri-Elmar? ( which while not fast, does give me "3 lenses" >>> without a change)? >>> >>> For those that might think I am complaining, I am not. I need to learn >>> this >>> stuff, and what better place than from those that have already solved the >>> problem...... >>> I just wish I had asked before my trip..... >>> >>> Thanks..... >>> >>> Frank Filippone >>> red735i at earthlink.net >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> Leica Users Group. >>> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >>> >>> >> _______________________________________________ >> Leica Users Group. >> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >> >> > > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information