Sensor Clean (wet)

I should be grateful for recommendations. I noticed some blobs on my K5 sensor. They have proved hard to shift. I tried the camera sensor clean (no difference) then a blower (no difference) then Arctic butterfly (made it worse, arrrgh). So I think I'll have to resort to a wet clean. I've googled for options but some personal recommendations on effective methods would be appreciated.

Interestingly they don't show up at all on dust alert - the resultant image looks as clean as a whistle, but they are not related to the sensor stain issue as they moved around after the Arctic Butterfly wipe.

Your camera model will influence your decision. Some of the older Pentax bodies could use Eclipse fluid. Newer ones require Eclipse 2 because of the coatings on the low-pass filter (the bit you actually clean).

I've never had any muck on mine that couldn't be shifted by the Arctic Butterfly so I can't recommend any particular wet solution.

Visible Dust (maker of the Butterfly) also has a wet cleaning option. SRS stock it.

Do Pentax still make their sensor cleaning kit?

Peter, I'm almost certain that Eclipse have stated that they have now decided that it doesn't matter which one you use. I realised I could be horribly wrong and just checked via Google, the search page shows I'm correct but the link to the Photosol website now seems to suggest they no longer make/sell E2 fluid and sell moist swabs instead.

I'm forever cleaning the sensor in my DS but the K20 has never needed wet cleaning or even a blower in 15 months of ownership.

I cleaned my GX10 sensor after much fear. I got eclipse fluid and swabs from ebay, the seller asked what I was going to clean and advised about the eclipse.

The most important thing I found was not to use too much fluid. The bare minimum. Also the technique took a couple of goes to get the swipe right.

But I'd have no qualms about cleaning a sensor again.

however it taught me to watch the dust as it wasn't a fun experience.

Apparently, this has been superseded.

It seems that Eclipse 2 was hastily put out after problems with Canon 5D sensors were blamed on Eclipse fluid. Photosol, the manufacturers now state that Eclipse is now suitable for all sensors andEclipse 2 is no longer on their site.

Linky.

Thanks Ken & Oggy for the info about Eclipse 2. I didn't check the current recommendations before posting.

As a K20D owner, I have found no need of a wet cleaning system . . . yet.

I think I've only ever had to resort to a wet clean once, on a used *istD I bought several years ago.

I don't even use a blower nowadays, just the Arctic Butterfly. I found that the blower always seemed to shift the dust from the sensor to a much more inaccessible place behind the focussing screen.

Seconded.

So far the Butterfly has done the job.

Sorry Ken - I had not seen your post.

Just don't overdo it like I did...




That is liquid behind the low pass. There is a gap, not directly bonded which could be part of the reason why the K10D is a PF monster with fast lenses.

Finally did it. I used the visible dust swabs and fluid recommended by Chris at SRS. The first bottle of fluid was confiscated at the airport as it wasn't in a clear plastic bag (eh??) so I had another sent by post to France.

Quite a nervewracking experience but the Dutch courage helped. It took a few goes to get the swipe right and there remain a few stubborn marks, but they won't be a problem at normal shooting apertures. I found that you have to use fairly firm pressure otherwise it goes a bit smeary, although the sensor was pretty mucky to start off with. The fluid was very effective as I'm sure this was muck rather than just dust. I hope that I don't have to do it too often though. At f32:

Before:




After (eventually):

good job