Dust

That explains the strange colours I get!


Maybe next time I should use the steam cleaner at work!

Many excellent suggestions here. Myself, I use liquid washing-up soap to clean my spectacles with good results, but I would be very sceptical to use it within the camera .

To return briefly to the serious matter the OP rises, my vote goes to the rocket blower. And when that is not sufficent, I use the Eclipse optic cleaning solution and sensor swabs. Works like a dream, just make sure you get the proper liquid for your sensor, and have fully charged batteries before starting the job.

Can anyone advise if the 'Ultra Clean" sensor cleaning liquid which is supplied with the 'Dust Aid' Dust-Wand kit safe to use on my K20d sensor?

The blurb on their website says " Safe for ITO and Dichroic Coated Sensor Filters"

They should have a compatibility list, like the Eclipse supplier Photographic Solutions. They state use the E2 fluid for K10D, K20D and K200D, and Eclipse fluid for the rest. They even guarantee your equipment from damage.

Have a look here: link

Terry

Thank you - they do indeed have a compatibility list which confirms that it is suitable for the K20d.

I have a K200D and have had major dust problems. I purchased a Gittos Rocket as advised, and all this managed to achieve was to blow dust up in to the viewing screen which I cannot now remove. I see artic butterflies mentioned but they seem tremendously expensive. I have also read about fluids but there seems too much confusion about which is the correct fluid to use for my sensor. How's about a gentle breath on the sensor and a soft cotton bud? I have attched a recent shot so hopefully someone can confirm that these marks are indeed dust.


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Definitely no to beathing on the sensor and using cotton buds. You've spent a lot of money on your camera, don't over-economise on the method of dust removal.

Thats why I dont use one (Rocket) and only use Dust-Aid sticky pad system, from www.dust-aid.com

I have successfully used cotton buds to remove stubborn marks and particles from my sensor, but I can't really recommend them because they do leave fibres behind that you need to remove with other means.

For loose dust, I can recommend the Arctic Butterfly. (I bought the cheapest version). It's also good for the focusing screen and prism if you keep the brush clean.

Breathing on the sensor does no harm. It's what the makers of the SensorKlear pen recommend doing with their product. The moisture (pure water) evapourates after a few seconds and leaves no residue at all - which is more than you can say for some so-called cleaning products.

How much does Pentax charge for cleaning the sensor? I seem to remember reading that you should send in your camera every year or so to get it 'professionally' cleaned.

If sending it off to Pentax equates to extortion then I can understand why the DIY methods outlined are used. But if not, then surely cloning out the marks in PS ought to be enough until they get too legion and become a real nuisance?

I'm just really hesitant about cleaning my camera's sensor using sticky pads and cleaning fluid and vacuum cleaners/blowers and dog's breath. (not all at the same time!)

A quote from this website:

"At body temperature, the exhaled breath contains air, carbon dioxide, acetone, and other gases resulting from metabolism or inhaled pollutants. The breath also contains tiny droplets of fluid containing water, bits of proteins, DNA, and cell particles shed by the airways in the lungs. When we breathe out onto a cold surface, the water vapor condenses and captures the gases and particles. The resulting fluid is called EBC, or exhaled breath condensate. It can be collected and used as a diagnostic tool much like urine or blood."

Might be fine, but it's not pure water.

Dan

That's interesting and alarming! Nevertheless, what I breathe onto the sensor seems to completely disappear and leave no residue when I check with a bright white LED light.

The same light shows up contaminant on lens filers left by high quality lens cleaning fluid that can't be seen in daylight, so I think it is a good check.

It's not really possible to see with the naked eye whether or not there is any residue. You are actually only noting that there is not the same kind of residue that you get with the cleaning fluid.

If cleaning fluid leaves a residue I wonder if that's because too much was applied? I thought the applier had to be only slightly dampened and there should be no free liquid at all.

I dont like the thought of fliuds on a sensor!..and the cost of sending it to Pentax would be what for cleaning.....£40?....plus return postage and insurance!.....it makes the cost of the basic arctic butterfly a very cheap option, also it can be used time and time again with no chance of smears or smudges,I say again it's the only tool for me...........Ken

when i got my first k200d, i only put the lens on and had so much dust showing on the dust feature or was it the dust alert feature was not that good, it was acting like and etch a scetch, took it back and echanged it for another,
put new lens on and never change the lens now, i havent even tryed dust feature as i know it will show dust of some kind god knows how but it will