Blackmagic Forum

Did a shoot in the high desert last week. The wind was blowing pretty hard with lots of dust from the fine clay. Spent each night in the hotel cleaning all the gear including 3 pocket cameras. Actually everything looked better then I thought it would. But I didn't touch the sensors. Inspecting them now and can see lots of dust. I've been cleaning the glass that covers the sensors for many years and using the VisibleDust products have been fairly successful.

Now I need to get some more swabs. Also though I use VisableDust products for most of the process I've used Eclipse on the swabs as opposed to VisbleDusts solution.

So I'm curious what products you all are using. Particularly swabs and solution but would love to hear all thoughts on the matter.

As always thanks in advance. It never ceases to amaze me how many of you are so helpful.

What about using the work "cleaning" to search this subforum? It has been discussed in detail.
BTW, you won't be cleaning the sensor, but the filter in front of it.

Uli Plank wrote:What about using the work "cleaning" to search this subforum? It has been discussed in detail.
BTW, you won't be cleaning the sensor, but the filter in front of it.

Thanks Uli. Appreciate your response.

I used Sensor Cleaning and little came up so good call.

I realize that from time to time I do ask questions that have already been discussed. Selfishly when I have a problem I want to hear more current answers from some of the reliable sources that often post here of which you are one.

I understand well the filter involved. I'm interested in what swabs, cleaners, and specific process.

Over the years mine has been to first, working in a dust-free environment, inspect the sensor (filter), then holding the body upside down blow off visible dust with a non-aerosol air blower, with 2-3 drops of Eclipse cleaning solution applied to the a new swab wipe the sensor filter in one direction, inspect and redo as needed until it's clean.

Would love to hear what process others use even if it's been discussed into ad nauseam. A clean sensor never hurts in making nice images.

Cleaning your camera in a dusty environment might a hassle, and it seems that you are very meticulous on the products that you are using which is great. Before cleaning my camera I make sure that Im in a space where new dust or particles may not come again to my camera. The swabs that I use are The Sensor Swabs from Photograhic Solutions which is really effective in removing dust and spots on my camera lenses and sensor. It cleans instantly and is safe to the camera. I have been using it for a couple of years and had no problem what so ever. Hope it helps!

You may want to google for Arctic Butterfly (no kidding).

I can appreciate the desire to meticulously maintain dust free sensor but I steadfastly avoid cleaning products or even touching a filter or sensor, if I can clean it with a rocket blower. Sometimes just bringing a microfiber into proximity of the sensor at the time of a squeeze from the rocket blower is enough magnetic attraction to draw particles away without touching it. During the manufacture, the micro lenses, CFA's are mere inkjet prints, very vulnerable to cleaning agents, even those thought to be safe or intended for cleaning sensors, eyeglasses etc. Maybe they are okay, but dust prevention is better than cure for dust imo.

Of course, a blower is always the first thing to try before going any further.
I expected that to be understood without mentioning.

I’ve been using the Sensor Swab kit from Photographic Solutions with Eclipse solution, and it’s worked well for me over the years. I’ve had good luck with it