Anyone clean a Sony sensor ?

[Smiths]

Anyone have any experience with cleaning the sensor on the Sony Alpha at all ? I have a smudge on it I believe... changed lens and it's still there. I don't normally take the lens off the body, and I know I haven't put anything in there... but it's there, looks like a smudge or possibly a dryed drop of water maybe..... Leaving for Cali and all the camera shops keep telling me to clean it would take 3 weeks before I get it back.... How hard is it to clean. I work on the insides of computers and radio equipment all the time... anyone have any forsight....

Thanx

[fjbyrne]

I have never cleaned a sensor but there are many articles on the web on how to do it. Do a google search and read the various methods. There are kits available with swabs and cleaning solution so you will need some time to get these. Do your research because the wrong method/technique could ruin your sensor.

EDIT: I just saw this on dpreview: Apologies in Advance...Help!Help!Help!: Sony SLR Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review

Good Luck!

[fotogeorge]

I've never cleaned a Sony sensor. I read on another forum, that this product is recommended by Sony for self cleaning sensors. This company's website claims their product is recommended by Sony. I resist using any product but a blower brush.


Photographic Solutions, Inc. - Digital & Photographic Cleaning Solutions

[fjbyrne]

Originally Posted by fotogeorge

I've never cleaned a Sony sensor. I read on another forum, that this product is recommended by Sony for self cleaning sensors. This company's website claims their product is recommended by Sony. I resist using any product but a blower brush.


Photographic Solutions, Inc. - Digital & Photographic Cleaning Solutions

This is a good point. All the Sony cameras have the anti-static coating that could be damaged if the correct solvent is not used. I would be very careful what I used. One knowledgeable Minolta/Sony user on dpreview suggested the vacuum method.

[Smiths]

The spot I have on the sensor appears to be a smudge. It's not dust. Kind of like something fluid dropped in there somehow and left a splatter on the sensor, so it's appearing that I should send it out to a professional facility to be cleaned I'm guessing.... The local ones want the camera for atleast 3 weeks and I kinda need the camera for a trip I'm going on, oh well I guess I'll have to be careful with the images I'm taking with it so I can remove the spot with PS and send it in for a cleaning when I get back.... Just thought there would be a way to clean it up but not much info on removing the type of spot I've got much more info out there that explains how to get dust off of the sensor, but not my problem...

Thanx

[cyclohexane]

The spot I have on the sensor appears to be a smudge

Got a picture of the sky with that smudge on it? It's probably a dreaded instance of "welded dust".

[ShutterBug]

Ok, I have recently gone through the harrowing and nerve wrecking ordeal of HAVING to clean the sensor in my A700 because of a stubborn particle of dust that WILL NOT be blown off.

What I purchased to do this:

>> a bottle of Eclypse sensor solution - SGD$20.00
>> one (1) pecpad swab (A700 specific dimensions) - SGD$8.00 (single use)

Prior to meddling with the inards of my A700, I have done some thorough internet research on how to do it safely; watching video clips, reading articles, checking forums, and various illustrations abound. But none of them I find, could provide me the assurance I needed till I have actually done it.

Steps I took in procedure:

1 >> activate the Cleaning Mode on your Alpha DSLR

2 >> remove the cap covering the lens mount opening, then hold or place the camera facing downwards so that dust floating around will less likely to float into it

3 >> drip Two (2) drops of the Eclypse solution onto the tip of the pecpad swab wand, allow about 15 to 20 seconds to evaporate a little so that it will not cause streaking

4 >> I made two passes; starting from the left side of sensor to the right edge, then back again and pulled out the swab wand

5 >> immediately replace cap over lens mount opening.

Done.

Test shots on a blank white wall shows that it totally cleaned of any particulate matter, and no porblems either.

Note: NO or LITTLE pressure was applied with the swab wand on the sensor. I basically dragged it lightly back and forth. Don't try buffing it like polishing a car!

[Smiths]

Sorry about getting back to you guys so late but I've been on the road since the end of last month. Thankyou for the instructions you set out for me here, I won't be in a proper situation to try this till the end of the month yet. As soon as I can get a chance to make a jpg of the sky shot I was discribing I will post it. I'm kind of living out of my back pack at this point though... Thanx again for the replys though I really appreciate them.