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Author Topic: how to clean X1D sensor?  (Read 6921 times)

madlantern

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how to clean X1D sensor?
« on: September 17, 2017, 06:34:54 am »

Curious if people on here have recommendations on how to clean medium format sensors - specifically, the X1D's. I ordered this gel stick from PhotographyLife: https://photographylife.com/product/sensor-gel-stick

But then I noticed that it has a warning about that gel stick not working with Sony sensors and some other mirrorless cameras (Fuji, Leica, etc). Since the X1D is a mirrorless camera with a Sony made sensor, does that mean that this gel stick isn't  the best thing for its sensor?
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Paul2660

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Re: how to clean X1D sensor?
« Reply #1 on: September 17, 2017, 09:07:55 am »

I would stay away from the gel stick.

If you have already tried blowing off the sensor with a rocket blower or similar, then I would look towards a wet cleaning kit.

The best kit I know is the one from Phase One.  They sell this as a cleaning kit, with 2 types of fluids.  The B fluid is similar to Eclipse, and is all you would need most time.  The kit comes with a plastic piece you can wrap a cleaning pad around.  One end is designed for full size sensors and the other for the cropped sensor. 

The fact it's from P1 will have no issues as the sensors are all from Sony.  The fact that for years P1 has identified the fact that sensors will need to be cleaned with more than a rocket blower is Kudos to them. 

Capture Integration in Atlanta, sells a similar kit here is a link:

https://www.digitalback.com/product/ci-sensor-cleaning-kit/


Similar kit from Digital Transitions:

https://digitaltransitions.com/product/sensor-cleaning-wipes/

The Mamiya/Leaf Wipes, in the DT kit are the best period, amazing material, no streaking, period.  I believe the Kit from CI, now uses a similar type material to the Leaf Wipe.

Personally I am a bit surprised that Hasselblad does not have a similar kit. Dust is just part of the deal.

Paul Caldwell
« Last Edit: September 17, 2017, 09:12:24 am by Paul2660 »
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Paul Caldwell
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siddhaarta

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Re: how to clean X1D sensor?
« Reply #2 on: September 17, 2017, 10:46:16 am »

Hasselblad recommends e-wipes, which they even include in the package (user manual page 134).

Works just fine.

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Paul2660

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Re: how to clean X1D sensor?
« Reply #3 on: September 17, 2017, 10:50:01 am »

Thanks,

Not having a X1D, I was not sure what they offered.  Glad to see this.

Paul Caldwell
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SrMi

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Re: how to clean X1D sensor?
« Reply #4 on: September 17, 2017, 11:00:11 am »

Has anyone tried  Visible Dust MXD-100 swabs (42-44mm wide), specially designed for X1D, GFX etc? E-wipes work great on H cameras, but X1D's sensor is not as easily accessible. Glad to hear they work well on X1D as well.
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tcdeveau

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Re: how to clean X1D sensor?
« Reply #5 on: September 17, 2017, 01:38:20 pm »

Have you looked in the X1D manual?  There is a section on cleaning the sensor in there starting at page 123: http://static.hasselblad.com/2016/06/X1D_User-Guide_170116_1.3.pdf

FWIW I have used a gel stick on the X1D before.  It is this one: https://www.adorama.com/ipxisck.html.  I got it when I had the 645z, and used it on that sensor, which is the same as in the X1D.  Be careful, follow the instructions, and don't apply too much pressure. 

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madlantern

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Re: how to clean X1D sensor?
« Reply #6 on: September 18, 2017, 04:32:59 am »

I would stay away from the gel stick.

If you have already tried blowing off the sensor with a rocket blower or similar, then I would look towards a wet cleaning kit.

The best kit I know is the one from Phase One.  They sell this as a cleaning kit, with 2 types of fluids.  The B fluid is similar to Eclipse, and is all you would need most time.  The kit comes with a plastic piece you can wrap a cleaning pad around.  One end is designed for full size sensors and the other for the cropped sensor. 

The fact it's from P1 will have no issues as the sensors are all from Sony.  The fact that for years P1 has identified the fact that sensors will need to be cleaned with more than a rocket blower is Kudos to them. 

Capture Integration in Atlanta, sells a similar kit here is a link:

https://www.digitalback.com/product/ci-sensor-cleaning-kit/


Similar kit from Digital Transitions:

https://digitaltransitions.com/product/sensor-cleaning-wipes/

The Mamiya/Leaf Wipes, in the DT kit are the best period, amazing material, no streaking, period.  I believe the Kit from CI, now uses a similar type material to the Leaf Wipe.

Personally I am a bit surprised that Hasselblad does not have a similar kit. Dust is just part of the deal.

Paul Caldwell


Good to know P1 has a good kit. But I'm curious as to why you don't like gel sticks? I used them before on my Sony crop and 35mm cameras, and didn't see any obvious damage. Are they bad or at least not ideal for sensors?
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madlantern

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Re: how to clean X1D sensor?
« Reply #7 on: September 18, 2017, 04:35:38 am »

Hasselblad recommends e-wipes, which they even include in the package (user manual page 134).

Works just fine.

Thanks - didn't see this at all. Do you know if this is the exact product they're referring to? https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/127527-REG/Photographic_Solutions_EWCS_E_Wipe_Professional_Cleaning.html

It looks pretty close to what Hasselblad was describing, but the fact that the manufacture specifically only mentions monochrome CCDs is a bit concerning:

Quote
When used as directed, e-wipes are safe to use on monochrome CCDs, scanners, optical mirrors and other sensitive electronic and photographic image-forming surfaces.
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siddhaarta

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Re: how to clean X1D sensor?
« Reply #8 on: September 18, 2017, 09:40:56 am »

Exactly this ones which are in the box also.

The only disadvantage I see in these e-wipes is that you have to use your fingers on the backside of the tissue. The swaps seem to be more practical.

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hubell

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Re: how to clean X1D sensor?
« Reply #9 on: September 18, 2017, 01:27:06 pm »

Has anyone tried  Visible Dust MXD-100 swabs (42-44mm wide), specially designed for X1D, GFX etc? E-wipes work great on H cameras, but X1D's sensor is not as easily accessible. Glad to hear they work well on X1D as well.

Yes, I had a dried rain drop on my X1D sensor. With considerable trepidation, I decided to try to clean it off myself and used the Visible Dust MXD-100 swabs with a cleaning fluid from Visible Dust. It worked fine. I also purchased the Visible Dust Zee Pro bulb blower for blowing off dust, which works nicely for both lenses and the sensor.

madlantern

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Re: how to clean X1D sensor?
« Reply #10 on: September 20, 2017, 04:32:58 am »

Exactly this ones which are in the box also.

The only disadvantage I see in these e-wipes is that you have to use your fingers on the backside of the tissue. The swaps seem to be more practical.


Are you saying that the in the original packaging for the X1D camera body, there's an e-wipe already included? I checked my box twice, and there's nothing there other than some instruction manuals
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ario

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Re: how to clean X1D sensor?
« Reply #11 on: September 20, 2017, 09:22:58 am »


Are you saying that the in the original packaging for the X1D camera body, there's an e-wipe already included? I checked my box twice, and there's nothing there other than some instruction manuals
In the box of my X1D I found 3 ewipe.
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siddhaarta

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Re: how to clean X1D sensor?
« Reply #12 on: September 20, 2017, 10:37:42 am »


Are you saying that the in the original packaging for the X1D camera body, there's an e-wipe already included? I checked my box twice, and there's nothing there other than some instruction manuals

I had also 3 ewipes in the box. What matters is that Hasselblad mentions ewipes (which is a brand name from Photosol) in the user manual. This should give you some peace of mind.
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ario

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Re: how to clean X1D sensor?
« Reply #13 on: September 20, 2017, 06:01:10 pm »

I had also 3 ewipes in the box. What matters is that Hasselblad mentions ewipes (which is a brand name from Photosol) in the user manual. This should give you some peace of mind.
Ewipes are just pads + Eclipse (methanol 9O-99% + ethanol 1-0.1%). Any sensor swab with a few drops of Eclipse will do the same and is easier to use in the X1D, IMO.
« Last Edit: September 20, 2017, 06:06:21 pm by ario »
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HBIEVP

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Re: how to clean X1D sensor?
« Reply #14 on: September 21, 2017, 04:13:31 am »

To All,

Please find attached the recommended procedure for cleaning both the H and X camera systems IR Sensor glass.

Sincerely,

Eric Peterson
Field Sales Specialist
Hasselblad
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madlantern

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Re: how to clean X1D sensor?
« Reply #15 on: September 23, 2017, 04:43:35 am »

To All,

Please find attached the recommended procedure for cleaning both the H and X camera systems IR Sensor glass.

Sincerely,

Eric Peterson
Field Sales Specialist
Hasselblad

Eric - do you know if the X1D 4116 edition specifically doesn't comtain 3 e-wipes? I couldn't find any included in my box, and I asked a friend who also has the 4116 edition. He couldn't find another either
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MichaelEzra

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Re: how to clean X1D sensor?
« Reply #16 on: September 23, 2017, 04:10:41 pm »

I've been using Eclipse liquid for cleaning Mamiya ZD sensor in the past. Recently I tried Zeiss lens cleaning fluid with Sensor Swabs on D800e sensor multiple times and it worked great. Can't say exactly how it will work on other sensors, but if it is glass protecting the sensor, why wouldn't it:)
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madlantern

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Re: how to clean X1D sensor?
« Reply #17 on: September 27, 2017, 04:20:55 am »

I would stay away from the gel stick.

If you have already tried blowing off the sensor with a rocket blower or similar, then I would look towards a wet cleaning kit.




I already ordered the e-wipes recommended by Hasselblad. But I'm still curious to hear your opinion on why gel sticks are bad? A lot of people seem to recommend it - and Photographylife - the company that sells the gel sticks, has a video about how Leica's own factory even uses them to clean their sensors after repairs
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Paul2660

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Re: how to clean X1D sensor?
« Reply #18 on: September 27, 2017, 05:06:20 pm »

Hi,

I was not using the gelstick, but a similar product, that did cause me to have to send a couple of Canon Cameras back for a fix.

If the Gelstick is recommended  then I guess it would be OK, however on a mirrorless camera, the fact that the sensor is so much closer and exposed, the traditional wipe/fluid is easy enough.
I like the idea for sure.  On the camera mentioned X1D, due to cost, I would not use anything other than what is recommended, in this case ewipes.  Just me.

I am just a bit too protective I guess, however since Nikon/Fuji both have such good dust removal sensor shake etc built in all I really clean with a wipe is my P1 back and I still don't like doing it but there are times it must be done.
Cleanest camera I ever used with out ever having to clean it was the Canon 5D MK2, whatever Canon did on that one was amazing. Unlike the 1ds MKII and MKIII
Paul Caldwell


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