What to Use for Sensor Cleaning

[BradSmith]

For the first time, I've found what I assume to be dust on my sensor and need to clean it.  What are you using?  Is something special needed, or do Q tips and some general liquid work?
thanks
Brad

[Jeffrey Saldinger]

https://www.lynda.com/Photography-tutorials/Understanding-how-clean-sensor-dust/119012/384737-4.html

[stever]

what kind of camera?  if it's a recent model with sensor cleaning you probably have something more stickier than dust and need something like eclipse fluid and a sensor swab.  newer cameras with stabilized sensors caution against manual cleaning and i have not yet needed to try.

don't use Q tips they are abrasive and can leave particles

[langier]

One of the more comprehensive sites for info & tools:

http://www.cleaningdigitalcameras.com

ByThom.com also has good info for Nikon sensors but on one of his older pages.

[Rhossydd]

As a first step, just try a hurricane bulb blower. Cheap, very low risk and often surprisingly effective.

After that you'll need specialised kit, don't use q tips or air cans AT ALL. If it's very rare occurrence it may be easiest to get a specialist to do it for you. Cleaning sensors is frankly a horrible job and likely to take much longer than you expect.

[elliot_n]

It is indeed a horrible job. I've only done it once with my Nikon D800. It took two hours and 30 swabs (with Eclipse fluid).

[BradSmith]

thanks for the good info.
Brad

[Telecaster]

I start with a rubbery blower bulb. If that doesn't do it I move onto an old VisibleDust rig that includes different-sized brushes for different sensors. If the brushes don't do it I get out the swabs & cleaning fluid. Usually the bulb is all I need.

-Dave-

[Rhossydd]

If the brushes don't do it

I've wasted too much money on useless brushes in the past to ever think of recommending them. Hopeless things that just move dust around and add more. AVOID