Sensor cleaning for cheapskates

[Slough]

I am always amazed by reviews of sensor brushes that do not comment on the outrageous cost of a cheap brush supposedly designed for a DSLR. This must be because the reviews are by pros who are used to paying a fortune for lenses, tripods etc. Or maybe they earn so much that $100 is peanuts?

Well, whatever, take a look at the following link:

http://www.prime-junta.net/pont/How_to/a_B...our_Sensor.html

Basically a 'sensor brush' is nothing more than a $5 nylon brush carefully washed in detergent. I've heard of numerous people using this technique without problems.

Why be ripped off by someone out to make a fast buck?

On a related note lens cleaning fluid is easily made from isopropyl alcohol and distilled water and I reckon it will also work on a sensor. Warning: I've not yet tried this and some solvents can dissolve the plastics used in cameras. So take care.  

Note added 27/12/2005: I found that a rinse with isopropyl alcohol helped get the brush clean. A blower such as a Giotto rocket air can be used to charge the brush, and is suitable for carrying on aircraft. But store it in a dirt free container. Don't use the blower on the sensor as you might fire grit at it. I reckon the blower is okay for use on the mirror chamber and lenses, as long as it is stored and used away from dust or dirt.

Leif

[boku]

$12.95

Copper Hill Sensor Sweep Brush

I am always amazed by reviews of sensor brushes that do not comment on the outrageous cost of a cheap brush supposedly designed for a DSLR. This must be because the reviews are by pros who are used to paying a fortune for lenses, tripods etc. Or maybe they earn so much that $100 is peanuts?

Well, whatever, take a look at the following link:

http://www.prime-junta.net/pont/How_to/a_B...our_Sensor.html

Basically a 'sensor brush' is nothing more than a $5 nylon brush carefully washed in detergent. I've heard of numerous people using this technique without problems.

Why be ripped off by someone out to make a fast buck?

On a related note lens cleaning fluid is easily made from isopropyl alcohol and distilled water and I reckon it will also work on a sensor. Warning: I've not yet tried this and some solvents can dissolve the plastics used in cameras. So take care. 

Leif

[Slough]

$12.95

Copper Hill Sensor Sweep Brush
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Yes those ones are decent value.

But check out the items in the big photo shops  e.g. warehouse express.

Leif

[Jonathan Wienke]

Eventually people will figure out that the Copper Hill brushes work just as good as the overpriced ones from Visible Dust, etc. and the market will force a price adjustment. People aren't stupid.

[61Dynamic]

I have used my own "alternative" to VisibleDust as described by Petteri and it works like a charm. I picked up a brush from my local Michael's store for $3. After buying a multi-coated filter to verify the cleanliness of the brush I was at a total of $13.

The prices from VisibleDust are absurd and am glad that they now have some competition.


I would have no problem with VisibleDust and their prices normally. It's supply and demand baby, and they knew how to market to photographers. Kudos to them for that. What bugs me is their marketing materials and description on how the brushes were made and tested. It all seemed a bit dishonest to me when I read it (more-so than typical PR Fluff).

[DarkPenguin]

Which brush did you buy?  I ended up with two (one I use for the chamber) and they were about $7 each from Michaels.

[61Dynamic]

I got the "6 Royal soft-grip SG4510." It is 1' long, transparent with a yellow tipped handle and clear rubber rings around the grip.

I only had to clean it once. YMMV.

[Atlasman]

Hi everyone, I'm new here, but I thought I add a bit of affirmation that a $5 brush works to clean DSLR sensor.

And I also believe that eventually, free market forces and information flow such as this forum, will cause a significant price drop on the commercial products.
Joseph

[DarkPenguin]

I have the sg4010 and the sg157.   They seem to work fine.  I didn't have to clean one of them before use.  I did anyway.

[Slough]

I finally got round to trying this cleaning method. It works a treat.

I bought a nylon 3/8" artists brush from a local craft shop for about £4 which in Canadian money is roughly 8 dollars/piastres. I cleaned the brush using isopropyl alcohol followed by soapy water. As canned air is expensive and environmentally unsound I used a Giotto rocket air blower to charge the brush. (I also use the blower for removing dirt from the camera chamber and from lenses).

I now have a clean sensor.

Leif

[Slough]

A word of caution: store the blower in a sealed container such as a food bag, and don't use it on the sensor as you might end up firing a grit particle at the CCD and cause damage.

Leif