Sensor Cleaning

Hi, just a quick question, How often is to often to clean your Sensor:. Basically, having bought a Lenspen last Christmas, I've needed to clean the sensor about 4 times. The last time was Two weeks ago, but there are now specks of dust showing up again. I do tend to swap and change lenses a lot especially when on walkabouts. Is every two-three weeks to much, and could I damage the sensor by over cleaning. (sorry that's 3 questions:roll

Cheers.

There is a coating over the sensor so what you actually clean is that, it can take some punishment I guess.

Since I use an articbutterfly I must say that i clean less often, once in the 2 or 3 months now, used to did it monthly with a blower.
The problem was that you just move the dust with that thing but it keeps mostly in the camera so over some time you can clean it again. The butterfly collects (more or less) so you basicly remove it out of the camera.

there are also other tools that removes it I believe, swaps for example.

cliff i use this

link
and this when really needed

link

Cliff,
Be carefull if using a Rocket Blower as it's possible to blow dust into the view finder rather than out of the camera.

Clean it when necessary, but learn how to change your lenses to minimise the crud getting in there in the first place:

Switch the camera off before removing a lens. Point the body so the lens is facing the floor, and keep it that way while changing the lens. Change lenses is as dust free an environment as possible. Use your camera bag if you have no other options.

Be careful with the rocket blower, try an Arctic Butterfly, and if that doesn't work try a sensor pen (not a lens pen!) or some other cleaning method such as Pentax's own.

I always blow the lens mounts of my lenses before I go out just incase theres dust on them, as this is one way it gets in.

I've got an istDL. I've been meaning to ask this question as I've never cleaned my sensor, scared of damaging it.

But, I always follow Gwyn's advice above when I change lens, so maybe I've been lucky.

and also rocket blowers can scratch the filter (mike p)

Someone had to say it.

sorry mike,

Arctic Butterfly here and never had anything it can't get rid of. Takes a few seconds and does not blow stuff everywhere.

I use a Pentax O-ICK1. I couldn't resist the product code...

Cheers for all your comments, some really good advice there as usual. I've now started (today) to carry a large clear polythene bag around, and change the lenses in that to try and minimise dust. Never used a Rocket Blower, but like the look of the Arctic Butterfly, Warehouse Express are advertising them for 44.99, or 83.89 with a loupe. Next question, is it worth the extra for the loupe, and do other members use them:

Thanks again

I just have the small Arctic Butterfly designed for APS-C without interchangeable heads. I use my Metz 58 AF-1 in modelling mode off the camera to check for sensor dust (really shows it up if there is any). Plastic bag is way OTT. I swap lenses everywhere and Don't really worry about it. The back of the lens is easy to clean so just point the camera down.