Sensor Cleaning recommendations.

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Craig Seeman

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Sensor Cleaning recommendations.

PostMon Nov 04, 2013 7:47 pm

Using BMPCC I noticed some black spots on shots where I, very unfortunately, had to stop down to f22. Changed lenses and confirmed it's the sensor. Using a blower/brush combo confirms it's just dirt because some spots are gone and a few remain in new locations.

Any suggestions better than the gentle blower brush combination below?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/8 ... Brush.html
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Craig Seeman

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Re: Sensor Cleaning recommendations.

PostThu Nov 07, 2013 4:11 pm

I'm bumping this. I can't believe no one here has considered cleaning the sensor.

I wouldn't be at all surprised that what some see as a sensor issue may be nothing more than some dust particles on the sensor. At first I thought I had an issue too until as used the aforementioned air blower but I found it only partially improved things… so I ask if any have found a better method or better blower. I've looked at DSLR equivalent procedures and, so far, the results are about the same. So I look for any of your experienced tips.
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Miha Horvat

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Re: Sensor Cleaning recommendations.

PostThu Nov 07, 2013 4:16 pm

Ive got my BMCC yestrday and today i saw the samo thing. I have 2 like dust things on my glass infront of a sensor.
Tell me how did u clean it off?

Thanks
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Vince Gaffney

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Re: Sensor Cleaning recommendations.

PostThu Nov 07, 2013 6:17 pm

Arctic Butterfly is what is highly recommended.
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Tom

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Re: Sensor Cleaning recommendations.

PostThu Nov 07, 2013 7:16 pm

Craig Seeman wrote:I'm bumping this. I can't believe no one here has considered cleaning the sensor.



Just to clarify and avoid confusion, it's not possible to clean the sensor, only the glass in front of the sensor housing.

For this I just use a giotto rocket blower - has kept mine nice and clean so far.
Tom Majerski
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http://www.Tracksandlayers.com
Motion Graphics - Colour Grading - VFX
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Sean Miki

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Re: Sensor Cleaning recommendations.

PostThu Nov 07, 2013 9:34 pm

I've tried with a LensPen and had great results.

+1 on using a blower as well.
The DV Shop
Check out our BMCC un-boxing video: vimeo.com/55068769
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Craig Seeman

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Re: Sensor Cleaning recommendations.

PostFri Nov 08, 2013 12:38 am

Yes Tom I meant the glass on the sensor.
One person told me not to use a sensor brush or pen but I tried to explain to him there's glass in front of the sensor. Obviously one can damage the glass but a very soft brush designed for it and used properly should work so I though.

Arctic Butterfly this?
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/7 ... Super.html
Their site
http://www.visibledust.com/products3.php?pid=3

I don't know why this experienced person was opposed to a sensor brush. In my minimal experience I'm finding the blower might not be enough.
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Tom

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Re: Sensor Cleaning recommendations.

PostFri Nov 08, 2013 12:47 am

Craig Seeman wrote:Yes Tom I meant the glass on the sensor.


Even the glass on the sensor is behind another bit of glass - separate to the sensor unit itself.
Tom Majerski
Colourist at Tracks and Layers
http://www.Tracksandlayers.com
Motion Graphics - Colour Grading - VFX
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Worzel Gummidge

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Re: Sensor Cleaning recommendations.

PostFri Nov 08, 2013 12:48 am

Tom wrote:
Craig Seeman wrote:I'm bumping this. I can't believe no one here has considered cleaning the sensor.



Just to clarify and avoid confusion, it's not possible to clean the sensor, only the glass in front of the sensor housing.

For this I just use a giotto rocket blower - has kept mine nice and clean so far.

Useless if the marks are stuck on the filter/cover. I used these http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/ECLIPSE-2OZ- ... 2130692%26
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Patrick Finnegan

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Re: Sensor Cleaning recommendations.

PostFri Nov 08, 2013 2:08 am

Worzel Gummidge wrote:
Tom wrote:
Craig Seeman wrote:I'm bumping this. I can't believe no one here has considered cleaning the sensor.



Just to clarify and avoid confusion, it's not possible to clean the sensor, only the glass in front of the sensor housing.

For this I just use a giotto rocket blower - has kept mine nice and clean so far.

Useless if the marks are stuck on the filter/cover. I used these http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/ECLIPSE-2OZ- ... 2130692%26


I too have used these with good results, BUT you have to be very careful with the fluid! Don't oversaturate the swab, The fluid should ONLY be applied to the glass…not to the border lubricants etc. It can actually damage any adjacent materials.
watch this video on the wet cleaning method


also check out this video from a guy who cleans them all of the time for a camera rental house without the solvent

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Richard Carlson

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Re: Sensor Cleaning recommendations.

PostFri Nov 08, 2013 10:04 am

There looks to be a smear mark or similar on my bmpcc. I have confirmed this is the sensor as it is visible using several different lenses (SLR Magic 25mm, Lumix Leica 25mm, Sigma 8-16mm with sb ). It has been there from new so I was wondering if it can be cleaned or whether it is a return job. The enclosed screen grabs are taken straight from the camera before any grading and it clearly detracts from the image. Any help appreciated.
Attachments
Screen Shot 2013-11-08 at 17.52.44.png
Mark on sensor 3
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Screen Shot 2013-11-08 at 17.52.13.png
Mark on sensor
Screen Shot 2013-11-08 at 17.52.13.png (316.16 KiB) Viewed 9546 times
Screen Shot 2013-11-08 at 17.51.49.png
Mark on sensor 2
Screen Shot 2013-11-08 at 17.51.49.png (393.11 KiB) Viewed 9546 times
Richard Carlson
BMPCC, BMPCC 4K
GH3,GH4,A7S,6D,LX100
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Patrick Finnegan

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Re: Sensor Cleaning recommendations.

PostFri Nov 08, 2013 3:44 pm

manila57 wrote:There looks to be a smear mark or similar on my bmpcc. I have confirmed this is the sensor as it is visible using several different lenses (SLR Magic 25mm, Lumix Leica 25mm, Sigma 8-16mm with sb ). It has been there from new so I was wondering if it can be cleaned or whether it is a return job. The enclosed screen grabs are taken straight from the camera before any grading and it clearly detracts from the image. Any help appreciated.



Have you used a loupe to inspect the sensor? With close examination you should be able to see what is causing this. If is is a smear the wet cleaning method would probably be better. It is likely on the glass covering the sensor.
Finnegan's Wake Films
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Richard Carlson

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Re: Sensor Cleaning recommendations.

PostSun Nov 10, 2013 12:06 am

Problem resolved. I used a loupe as suggested and found a microscopic piece of dust on the lens. A good blast with the blower resolved the issue. What was confusing me was the fact the mark was not visible with the lens/speed-booster on the GH3. I now think a loupe is a must have cheap addition to the kit especially with a lens like the Sigma 8-16mm.
Richard Carlson
BMPCC, BMPCC 4K
GH3,GH4,A7S,6D,LX100
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Craig Seeman

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Re: Sensor Cleaning recommendations.

PostSun Nov 10, 2013 5:02 pm

manila57 wrote:Problem resolved. I used a loupe as suggested and found a microscopic piece of dust on the lens. A good blast with the blower resolved the issue. What was confusing me was the fact the mark was not visible with the lens/speed-booster on the GH3. I now think a loupe is a must have cheap addition to the kit especially with a lens like the Sigma 8-16mm.


That's more or less what I was seeing. I think some panic believing it's a sensor defect. I used blower and some went away and some moved around. That's a sure way to confirm it's just debris on the surface. I bought a loop.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/4 ... h_bag.html

My blower didn't seem up to the task. It's similar to this. I breath heavier than that think blows. Brush helps but some warn against using that even though I though it was designed for that (extremely soft).
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/8 ... Brush.html

So I bought the Rocket.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/3 ... ower_.html
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tvsterling

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Re: Sensor Cleaning recommendations. NO CANNED AIR

PostSun Nov 24, 2013 5:08 pm

My advice from sad experience. Do NOT use canned air to blow off the sensor. Use a hand puffer. I did & the thing spit spots of liquid on the glass which dried into visible spots. After considering what to do I GENTLY & CAREFULLY cleaned the glass with a Micro Pro Lens Pen, starting with the areas not directly over the actual sensor. After doing this I carefully examined the glass with a 10x loupe & could find no scratches or other damage. Followed this up with viewing the image of a plain grey & a white computer screen at various lens openings Etc. (Corel Photo Paint or Photoshop) Could detect no damage to the cover glass. Since the camera doesn't have a sensor cleaner I guess we will all need to be very, very careful. If a Blackmagic teck reads this I would like to know just how delicate is the cover glass on the sensor? Less delicate than a modern lens multicoating? More delicate than that? I would like to know just how careful I have to be. This was on a BMPCC.
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John L

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Re: Sensor Cleaning recommendations.

PostWed Jun 24, 2020 10:15 am

I just had this same problem, a bit of dirt on the lens, then trying to blow it away left a blob of residue in the glass! I used a lens wipe to gently wipe it and all seems good now. I’d guess the glass is fairly robust but it would be good to have confirmation. Surely it must be designed to be cleaned occasionally, after all it is exposed to the elements when changing lenses. Is it perhaps toughened like a phone screen?
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Sean van Berlo

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Re: Sensor Cleaning recommendations.

PostWed Jun 24, 2020 11:56 am

Don't do it with a lens pen, don't do it with compressed air. If a lensblower doesn't work, use a lens swab:


It's quite easy to do yourself after a few tries, if you don't trust yourself any camera store worth their salt will do it for a few bucks. Back in the Netherlands it will set you back no more than a dozen euros or so.
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KevinCam2027

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Re: Sensor Cleaning recommendations.

PostFri Sep 20, 2024 9:30 am

You know what, those black spots are very annoying, had a similar problem before and it was because the sensor needed cleaning. As recommended by professionals I went online and purchased the Sensor Swab Kit by Photographic Solutions ( ill put the link below ) It saved me from going to our local shop having my sensor clean. Now I do it on my own with no problems what so ever. It is very effective, cleans and dry instantly and just 1 gentle swipe all the spots, marks, smudges are gone. Thankfully I found this product and will keep using it from now on.

https://photosol.com/

https://photosol.com/products/sensor-cleaning-swab-kit/
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dmgAyden2014

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Re: Sensor Cleaning recommendations.

PostWed Mar 26, 2025 2:47 pm

^^
I totally agree It’s super effective at removing streaks and residue without leaving any marks.
I use it too, and it works great!

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