You might feel little goosebumps whenever you think of cleaning your camera’s sensor. You are not alone. Many people often feel scared about the idea, maybe because the sensor is a vital component of a digital camera.
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Many people consider it as the heart and brain of the gadget. Apparently, it is; because it dictates image qualities. However, like every other part of the camera, specks of dirt can fill the sensor. So, it’s paramount to know how to keep it clean.
This article will be well-detailed. You will learn easy ways to consistently clean and keep your sensor free of dirt. After reading this piece, you will become a genius at cleaning the camera sensor.
How To Check For Dust or Dirt On Your Sensor?
If you suspect that dust or speckles of dirt are on your image sensor, you can confirm by taking a few test shots with a smaller aperture and low ISO. We recommend you take test shots of a piece of white paper. If the sensor is stained, spots will appear on your photograph. However, you must note that dots on images can also be due to dirty lenses.
To be sure, clean your camera lens with a lens-cleaning cloth and shoot again. If the dirt is on the sensor, you can clean it with any of the following methods.
Note: The image sensor is extremely delicate and can be easily damaged. Ensure you duly follow the instructions.
Easy Ways You Can Clean Your Camera Sensor
A camera sensor is a delicate piece of equipment; therefore, you must clean it carefully. There are two proven DIY methods for cleaning the sensor. They include the dry and wet methods.
The wet approach involves using a liquid cleaner solution on the sensor; the dry method employs air blowers or vacuum cleaners to remove dust from the surface of the camera sensor. Whatever cleaning technique you choose between the two will be effective and easy.
Realistically, digital cameras are difficult to understand and operate. The Menu systems are filled with several options, making it difficult to get a perfect uniform setting. However, one must understand them to capture good photos.
We know that understanding the various types of cameras, settings, and techniques can be overwhelming if you are new to the photography industry. Thus, we have provided this master article – camera 101, to help all beginners and even experienced photographers understand their cameras.
Click Below to know all about Cameras, From start to end.
Note: If you are a first-timer in this aspect of camera maintenance, I recommend starting with the dry method. Use the wet approach for serious or sticky dirt on the sensor.
Anyone can clean a sensor with these approaches. However, you will need:
- Microfiber cloth, lens cleaning cloth, cleaning swab, or non-linting surface
- Lens cleaning fluid or any cleaning solution designed for sensors
- Sensor loupe
- Hand gloves (optional but necessary)
- Headlamp – for visibility
- Portable air blaster/blower
How To Consistently Clean Your Camera Sensor Using The Wet Method:
1. Place your digital camera on a flat surface. Preferably a table free of dust or any dirt.
2. You will need a reliable power source when manually cleaning your image sensor. So, ensure you insert a fully charged battery into your camera. You can choose to connect the optional AC adapter.
3. Turn off your camera and remove the lens. And turn on the camera.
4. If you are using a modern DSLR camera with an unmounted lens and charged battery, press the Menu button > Setup menu > lock mirror up for cleaning. Then, press the shutter release button to reveal the sensor for manually cleaning. If your camera is mirrorless, you will see the sensor after removing the lens or body cap.
5. Once the sensor is delicately exposed, use an air blower to remove odd and unseen specks of dirt.
6. Add 1-2 drops of the cleaning solution to the swab. Ensure not to oversaturate the swab to avoid leaving streaks on the sensor.
7. Gently place the wet swab onto one phase or spot on the sensor and delicately move it across the sensor. After a thorough tender cleaning, move the swab to another surface and repeat the process. However, ensure not to reuse a swab.
8. With the aid of a loupe, carefully inspect for any dust remnant and find out if you remove all the dirt particles. If you find it challenging using a sensor loupe, gently fix the camera up and take some test shots.
9. If you still find some speckles of dirt left, repeat the process with a new swab. And remember not to over saturate the cleaning swab.
Note: You can use a microfiber cloth. But I prefer to use a cleaning swab. Therefore, if you must use a swab, ensure it is lint-free and primarily designed for your sensor size.
How To Clean Your Camera Sensor Using The Dry Method:
The image sensor dry cleaning method involves the use of an air blower or blaster.
Many people often clean their camera sensors using the dry method. Then, they use the wet method to remove odd or some leftover speckles of dirt. Regardless of the procedure, you can get efficient results if you properly do it.
How To Do It:
1. Repeat steps 1, 2, 3, and 4 stated above
2. Carefully hold your DLSR or SLR camera upside down; so the LCD is facing up (or your ceiling), revealing the sensor.
3. Use the air blower or blaster to blow air into the camera sensor, thereby displacing dust from the sensor. Ensure the tip of the air blower doesn’t touch the sensor.
4. Delicately blast off the dust until you are satisfied.
5. Turn off your camera, mount the lens and take a few test shots. You are good if no dirt remains. However, if you still find dust in your sensor, use the wet sensor cleaning method to complete the task.
Quick Bonus Tip:
Use the wet method to clean off:
- Oil smear or oily marks on your camera sensor
- Sticky filth, or anything of the sort
- Dirt caused by liquid substances
Use the dry method to clean off:
- Non-oily marks on your sensor
- Dust
- Non-sticky dirt.
You might be interested in our article on How to put a grid on a DSLR camera viewfinder?
Another Easy Way To Clean Your Image Sensor
Yes, there is another alternative to the dry and wet methods of cleaning the sensor. You can employ the Clean image sensor function on your SLR or DSLR camera. It is a mechanical way of ridding dust or dirt off your camera sensor.
The clean image sensor function vibrates the sensor to remove dirt. This function might not be available in older DSLR cameras. Ensure you examine your gadget to find out if it has or not. If you are using a newer DSLR camera, automatically vibrate dirt off your sensor using the procedure below:
Steps:
1. Turn on your camera
2. Press the Menu button and click on the Setup menu
3. Choose the clean image sensor option
4. Select any of the options below –
The Options Explained:
- Clean at startup – Upon turning on your camera, it will automatically vibrate and clean off dirt on the sensor.
- Clean at shutdown – the sensor will automatically get clean during the shutting down of your camera.
- Clean at startup/shutdown – your camera sensor automatically gets clean during every startup and shutdown.
- Cleaning off – stops automatic cleaning of the image sensor.
You can learn more about the components of your DSLR camera in our article All Camera Features You Should Know In Your DSLR Camera.
Note – The dry or automatic cleaning approaches take less time. However, they might not be as effective as the dry method. On the other hand, the dry cleaning approach can be more time-consuming; however, it guarantees the removal of all particles. It also has a higher chance of damaging the sensor if done incorrectly, so you should always be careful.
Why You Should Always Clean Your Camera Image Sensor
Whenever you exchange lenses, you expose your image sensor to dust and other forms of dirt. So, it is vital to clean and keep it neat. Below are some reasons why you should always keep the image sensor uncluttered:
1. The camera image sensor collects and converts light into photographs. A dirty sensor will create a blurry and out-of-focus image.
2. When dust or other particles accumulate on the sensor, they can interfere with light entering the camera through the lens and cause unwanted artifacts in your photos.
3. A dirty sensor can lead to decreased image quality. Thus, always clean your camera’s sensor when you notice visible dirt or particles.
4. The sensor must be kept clean for your camera to function appropriately.
You might be interested in our article on How To Take Good Pictures With Any Camera? A Quick Guide to Photography.
5 Tips On How To Always Keep Your Image Sensor Clean
Regular cleaning of the image sensor can permanently damage it. Therefore, it is paramount to keep it clean by using the following tips.
1. Avoid unnecessary exchange of lenses.
2. If you must change a lens, ensure you do it in a clean and dry place.
3. Always use a lens hood when photographing in a dusty or stormy place.
4. Keep your camera bag clean.
5. Keep your lenses clean.
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FAQs
Why Should You Turn On Your Camera Before Cleaning The Sensor?
Manual cleaning of the image sensor requires exposure of the sensor. You will have to turn on the camera to be able to raise the lock-up mirror to the cleaning position and open the shutter curtain, thereby revealing the sensor.
What Is Image Sensor Dust?
Image sensor dust is a type of dust that accumulates on the image sensor of a digital camera. You can find it on the lens, the surface of the sensor, or both. The accumulation of dust can cause problems with image quality and affect how well a camera performs in low-light conditions.
What Are The Causes Of Dust On Sensor And Lenses?
Dust particles are attracted to the surfaces of cameras because they reflect light and have a high refractive index. In general, there are two types of dust: airborne and contact.
Contact dust is attracted to surfaces that attract oil or other substances like grease or fingerprints. Airborne dust is attracted to anything it comes into contact with it, including lenses, screens, and sensors. However, frequent lens switches or exchanges are the primary cause of specks on the image sensor.
Can I Clean My Camera Sensor Myself?
Cleaning the image sensor could be tedious, but it is not difficult. It is just a matter of following some simple instructions. You can do it yourself (DIY) using either the dry or wet methods. You can also use both camera sensor cleaning approaches or the image sensor cleaning function in your camera.
How often should I clean my camera sensor?
This depends on some reasons, such as your sensor type, how often you exchange lenses, and your photographic environment. If you often swap your lens or photograph in dusty or stormy areas, we recommend regular cleaning of the senor. If otherwise, a routine cleaning or vibration of the sensor is not required.
Can Dust Permanently Damage The Sensor?
Accumulated dust in the sensor can create an electrostatic charge and attract other particles, which can lead to sensor damage. If you have an unshielded sensor, the answer would be yes. However, if it is protected, it cannot be permanently damaged by dust.
What Is The Best Sensor Cleaning Solution?
If you want a solution that will work well with wet or dry equipment, the Lenspen SensorKlear kit is a good option. It includes a bottle of liquid cleaner, a microfiber cloth, and a brush for stubborn dirt. The liquid cleaner in this kit can also be used as an air blower if your sensor needs some extra help getting cleaned off. The SensorKlear kit is easy to use and comes in an affordable price range.