Pro Techniques

Changing lenses on a digital SLR subjects the interior to invasion by dust and other airborne particles. While we can avoid the problem with prudent handling, eventually we'll have to face the facts: dust will get on the sensor. The imaging sensor, whether CCD or CMOS, is a dust magnet. As soon as the camera is turned on the sensor becomes electrostatically charged. Any loose, charged particles of suitable mass within reach will be drawn to the sensor. Other particles might drop onto the sensor owing to gravity and stick there of their own accord (or perhaps adhere to something already there).

There are numerous products on the market today designed to help you physically clean the digital SLR imaging sensor. Depending on the camera model, the imaging sensor itself may be exposed, but in most instances the sensor lies beneath a plastic IR cutoff filter, anti-aliasing filter, or cover glass that is an integral component of the sensor, be it CCD or CMOS. To keep things simple, we refer to this entire assemblage as the "sensor."

If the problem is not that serious (one or two small spots), the first line of defense should be a software approach. I use Photoshop's Healing tool. If the problem is really bothersome, use commercially available products (under good lighting). Stay away from canned air and homegrown swabs--they can both do more damage than good.

You can play it safe and send the camera in for a factory-authorized cleaning (the first one may be free), if you can afford to be without the camera for a while--but not right before a trip.

I've examined a number of sensor-cleaning products, either on the camera sensor or on an LCD (only so many cameras to go around). Every product is only as safe and practical as the care you take in using it. Some products carry a warranty; most don't.

Airbulb Blowers, Brushes, And Vacuum Devices
The large airbulb blower is often the first line of defense to blow loose dust off the sensor and out of the surrounding chamber. Variations of this large bulb blower are available from different suppliers, but they may not be as effective as the Giottos Rocket Air Blower (HP Marketing), which features a long nozzle with a very well-defined triangular aperture at the tip and an internal one-way valve for a cleaner and more directed air flow.

Specially formulated, electrostatic, sensor-cleaning brushes have proven effective. VisibleDust offers several, beginning with the Sensor Brush (also available in multifunctional kits starting at around $90)--in sizes to match the sensor. These brushes must be cleaned/charged with a blast of canned air. Problem: propellant might be expelled onto the brush, then onto the sensor, requiring cleaning with liquid. The new Arctic Butterfly--724 ($92) is battery-operated, using a spinning motion prior to application to charge the brush (no canned air required) so that particles are drawn to it as it sweeps across the sensor. And it works.

The Arctic Butterfly-724 is a self-powered brush from VisibleDust. It spins prior to insertion in the camera to build up an electrostatic charge (and clean off the brush) and uses that charge to attract dust off the imaging sensor.

Photographic Solutions, Inc. offers BRUSHOFF ($58), which is a retractable, grounded brush that neutralizes charged dust particles, so they don't adhere to the sensor, and further neutralizes the sensor surface to make it less attractive to these gremlins (comes complete with removable grounding wire, which need only be used periodically to restore the brush's effectiveness). The brush will cover a full-size sensor.

When using a brush to remove dust, such as the Photographic Solutions BRUSHOFF, simply and gently guide the brush over the sensor surface at an angle.

Green Clean (Brandess-Kalt-Aetna Group) has taken a different approach, with a vacuum device consisting of canned air to power a suction nozzle, with dust collected in a holding chamber, just like a bagless vacuum cleaner. Available in kit form, in both Pro ($79.95, with some extras thrown in) and Travel ($49.95) versions. The sterile nozzle is replaced for each cleaning ($24.95/five-pack).

When I used it, I was perhaps too cautious, holding the nozzle tip a bit too far away for it to be effective. They say you can let the nozzle touch the sensor with out doing damage, but I'd avoid that (camera manufacturers caution against anything coming in contact with the sensor).

The complete Green Clean Pro Kit consists of the vacuum device, canned air, tubing, nozzles, and a few extras.

Sensor-Cleaning Swabs And Liquids
Some swabs are designed to be used dry, others wet, either pre-moistened or in conjunction with a liquid. The trick is to hold the swab at an angle and use just enough, but not too much, pressure--the swab handle should bend when cleaning. It may take practice, so first try it on a window or LCD screen. Dry swabs are best suited for dry dust that takes a slight nudge to remove. The use of a liquid is recommended with stubborn dust, moisture droplets, and sticky particles, such as pollen--with only a few drops applied near the tip of the swab, never directly to the sensor. For best results, you should use the swabs as directed by the manufacturer. Swabs should be removed from their envelope only immediately prior to use to minimize contamination from airborne dust and chemicals. IMPORTANT: Verify carryon restrictions regarding any liquids prior to departure on a trip. If in doubt, leave it out.

(Left to right) Green Clean dry and wet swabs; Intemos DSLRClean (shown bent and ready for use); VisibleDust Orange-series swab (APS-C size); Photographic Solutions Sensor Swab (APS-C size). The DSLRClean dry swab actually has the largest surface area. However, the matched Sensor Swabs are more efficient, requiring a simple back-and-forth movement of the swab to complete the job--but they do require a liquid solvent. The Green Clean swabs come as a set, including one pre-moistened swab, followed by cleaning with the dry swab.

The acknowledged leader so far remains Photographic Solutions' Sensor Swab ($48/12 swabs--matched to sensor), which has established itself as a reliable tool in the fight against sensor dust in combination with Eclipse liquid ($8.25). I used this combo on my EOS 20D sensor with success, although it did take a few applications to get the hang of it. Swabs are individually wrapped to keep out contaminants.