Cleaning The Sensor of My Digital Camera Continued

Within couple of days of confirming my order for the 'Sensor Cleaning Kit' the Postman shoved a small ‘Jiffy Bag’ through the letterbox. Gingerly opening it I found five spatulas things with a fabric on the end, a small bottle of fluid and the instructions. Apparently the width of the fabric on the spatulas was exactly the same as the sensor on my 10D. I still wasn’t convinced after reading the very simple instructions at least three times. I then progressed to reading and re-read the instruction book that came with the 10D, subconsciously to delay the actual act of cleaning the sensor.

It did note that the instructions were very specific in emphasising that the battery in the camera should be fully charged so it would hold open the shutter and keep the mirror out of the way. As a preferred alternative you could, by using the mains adapter, power your camera from the mains. I carefully added the stated four drops of the cleaning fluid to the spatula and very gently dragged it across the sensor. I turned the spatula over and repeated the process. Looking into the camera I could see the solution evaporating rapidly. I turned the camera off and replaced the lens. Now was the time of truth!

I set the aperture to f22 a pointed the camera at the overcast sky and pressed the shutter. I took out the card and put it into my computer, opened up Photoshop at opened the file.

To my amazement the filth, or muck as we call it, had all but gone. There was an odd mark but far less than before. Even more to my amazement the sensor looked in perfect condition and I was delighted. I couldn’t see the gouges that would be left on the sensor if the stories that I had read were anything to go by. I must admit that because of my new found confidence I did repeat the cleaning and the marks have now disappeared completely.

As a result my images are not only cleaner but they appear sharper, crisper but that could be my imagination, I don’t know. But what I do know is that after years of reading and hearing about the horror stories of sensor cleaning, never again will I hesitate to clean it. Of course I also believe in prevention rather than cure so I will take the extra care not to let the dust in. No doubt my new found confidence will diminish when the time comes around again to cleaning the sensor of my digital cameras.