Hi folks, I'm currently looking for a sensor & lens cleaning kit for my M43 Camera. Looking on amazon gave me one popular result which is the Digitek (DCK-004) - my concern is that the liquid is said to be both a lens and sensor cleaner, is this safe for the sensor? Most other kits only have a lens cleaning solution, not this two in one.
I'd appreciate if folks could share any kits that they've had a positive experiences with? There are several others on amazon that I'm considering but I'd like some guidance from experienced people before I put my equipment on the line. A little confused on what's safe and a quality option.
I purchased one UES sensor cleaning kit while I was overseas. It works well for cleaning the sensor. It is also advertised as a sensor and lens cleaning kit, but that is because it has a lens cleaning brush, lens cleaning tissues, etc.
I think the Digitek kit is safe. The sensor cleaning fluid is anyway said to be 50% distilled water and 50% isopropyl alcohol, so there is nothing very special about it. It will clean lenses as well.
If a liquid is said to be a lens cleaning solution only, it obviously shouldn't be used on the sensor.
By the way, I have tried a lot of sensor cleaning solutions, but none of them worked as well as the liquid-and-swab based sensor cleaning kit. Everybody should get one even if it sounds expensive. Don't take risks with the sensor.
Hey Nishit, thank you for the information!
I've found a UES one for 3k. Will probably spring for that. If not then two separate and dedicated lens & sensor cleaning kits. Thanks once again
I currently use a VSGO sensor (only) cleaning kit. The package contains a small bottle of sensor cleaning fluid and 12 individually sealed swabs.
When I bought it I remember seeing separate kits for Full Frame, APS-C & M43. Before writing this I checked but could not find any VSGO M43 kits readily available in India. Full frame and APS-C kits are available though.
However, I think you should be good if you use any sensor cleaning fluid+ Swab kits that are available currently. I would avoid multipurpose kits.
Have used both Photographic Solutions Sensorswab and VSGO and found both upto the task.
I guess any reputable swab would be the same/very similar. Bear in mind that sensor cleaning can be a very tricky exercise. You might need to worry more about your swiping technique that the company that manufactures the swab.
Nikon offers 3 times Sensor cleaning and lens cleaning for Rs.1400/. I find it very reasonable and always take that route. Complete peace of mind if you discount the commute to their Centre.
Cheers
Sensor cleaning appears to be a tricky issue. But with a little bit of intention and courgae, sensor cleaning is not that difficult. I have experienced it twice and with the sucess I achived, I have no more fears about sensor cleaning. But what I have learnt is , one needs patience and cleaning has to be done very slowly and carefully.
I tried my hand first time with my Nikon Z6II. It had sensor dust as I was changing my lenses too frquently in the field. Kolkata, being a dusty city, my sensor caught a good amount of dust. I bought a sensor cleaning kit from Amazon and tried my hand in cleaning the Z6II sensor. The result was quite good. Anyway, I'd sold my Nikon and Sony cameras when I migrated to Leica SL2s.
My SL2s also caught some dust while using in Kolkata. I again attempted cleaning of the sensor of Leica, with a lot of apprehension. But this tiume also, the cleaning was OK and I am now using the camera without any fear. I have decided one thing though, avoid lens changing in the field as far as possible while shooting in Kolkata.
Sensor cleaning is scary the first time, but one soon realised that there is no need for fear.
The thing I learned, that first time, was that, with my Sony kit, one is supposed to run the cleaning vibration thing, and then leave the camera on in that mode while wet-cleaning the sensor. That locks the IBIS. Having the sensor move around as one cleans is certainly freaky. This is probably make/model dependent.
Th whole purpose of interchangeable-lens cameras is... interchangeable lenses! Sure, one doesn't want to do it on a sandy beach, but in my normal picture-taking I will do it two to three times every outing. I want to use prime lenses, so I cannot avoid it.