If you own a DSLR camera that you frequently use, it is recommended that you clean its sensor every now and then. Over time, you might notice some spots, smudges or other marks blemishing otherwise perfect pictures. This is caused by dust sneakily creeping in to the smallest areas of your camera, and it will inevitably build up over time.

The inside of your camera contains an electrostatic charge. Much like the way static cling draws lint to your clothes, it will draw dust, lint, and tiny dirt particles inside. Keeping your camera free of dust ensures that the mirror, sensor and body chamber will stay clean and last longer. Once the dust has settled onto your sensor, it won’t move unless the sensor is cleaned. Until then, you’ll just be dealing with annoying little dots, specks and other marks on your photos.

Why Clean Your DSLR Sensor Yourself

Many people are intimidated by the idea of cleaning their DSLR sensor, fearing that its fragility will cause it break easily. However, with a little patience and the right tools, it is entirely possible to safely clean your camera’s sensor all by yourself with minimal risk.

Learning to clean your own camera parts is a good skill to learn on its own, but it is also very cost-effective. Many camera companies or computer stores charge over $75 just for on-site cleaning and of course, an additional fee for shipping if you have to send it elsewhere. With the amount you would spend on just one cleaning, you could buy enough cleaning supplies to maintain your camera for years. So it is certainly worthwhile to learn how to clean it on your own, and probably much easier than you expect.

The Right Cleaning Supplies

To minimize the risk of issues while cleaning your camera, please ensure that you purchase the proper tools. While the sensor isn’t so fragile that you cannot touch it, use the highest quality tools most appropriate for your camera’s size and design.

Consider the size of your sensor—if you have a full-frame sensor, you will need a larger cleaning brush and swab kit meant for this type. Do not use canned air (meant for cleaning computers), as it contains chemicals and lubricants that are not suitable for camera interiors.

You will need:

• 1 Sensor Swab Kit
• 1 Giotto’s Rocket Air Blaster
• 1 LED Illuminated Sensor Loupe
• 1 Electrostatic DSLR Sensor Cleaning Brush

You can find all of these products online. Amazon has a good basic camera cleaning kit that contains all of the listed items (except for the sensor loupe, which you will need to buy seperately)

Cleaning: Step By Step

Now that you’ve acquired all the supplies, find a well-lit workspace and get comfortable. Before cleaning, charge your camera battery. Most models will not allow you to do certain adjustments necessary for cleaning if the battery isn’t charged. Wipe down the exterior of the camera with a dust-free cloth gently moistened with a bit of alcohol and water, and use a Q-tip to clean any grooves or edges. Also, make sure your workspace has adequate lighting, and wipe down the area to reduce any additional dust from getting near your camera.

Remember, this will take a little bit of patience, but it is a very useful skill to learn. We’re going to talk about no-contact, dry and wet brush sensor cleaning, so use which ever method you are most at ease with.

Reference Photo

First, take a reference photo to determine how dust is affecting your photos. Change your camera’s settings to “aperture priority mode” and adjust the aperture number as high as possible. This will allow the aperture to close as much as the lens will allow it. Now take a picture of something neutral, such as a blank wall or a clear sky. You should be able to clearly see specks, marks, dots or other imperfections caused by dust on the sensor.

For no-contact cleaning:

• If your camera comes with a “dust removal” option, engage it now. Not every model has one, but if yours does, this is the perfect time to use it!
• If it doesn’t, don’t worry, just carry on to this next step. To clean the sensor, we need to move the mirror into an up position so it isn’t in the way. Go into your camera’s system settings and select the option “mirror lock” (it also might be called “sensor cleaning”).
• Having locked the mirror, remove the lens, and use your loupe to examine the sensor.
• Blow off the sensor with the air blaster to remove any dust and debris.
• Take another look at the sensor with the loupe. If it still looks dirty, blow it with the air blaster again.
• Take another reference photo and check out how much clearer it looks!

For dry-brush cleaning:

• As described above, lock the mirror in the up position.
• Charge the cleaning brush by ruffling its bristles with the air blaster. Do not touch the brush with your fingers or blow on it— this will contaminate it with oils from your skin and moisture from your breath. When you are cleaning, use care to only touch the sensor with the brush, not the surrounding parts of the camera.
• After charging the brush, carefully lower it onto your camera’s sensor. Use the brush in one single movement from one side of the sensor to the other. Remove the brush from the chamber.
• Each time you use the brush, the charge dissolves after the first contact with the surface. So, do not drag the brush around or dab at the sensor. Use one swift motion, remove the brush, and use the air blaster to blow off any
• particles the brush has collected each time. Repeat until you can no longer see particles when you look at the sensor with your loupe.

For wet-brush cleaning:

• Use swabs and cleaning fluid that is specially made for cameras. Do not use rubbing alcohol or water. Cleaning fluid is included in sensor swab kits.
• Gently apply a small amount of cleaning fluid to the swab so it just barely damp.
• In a steady motion, drag the swab from one side of the sensor to the other. Flip the swab over to its unused side and repeat the same movement again, to pick up anything that remains. Do not use the same swab over again. If your sensor still looks dirty, use another fresh swab.

As you can see, cleaning your DSLR sensor is not as difficult or complicated as you may have imagined. With a little bit of patience, the right tools and technique, you can safely clean your camera sensor at home, saving you a trip to the store and a few bucks. Now that you know how to do this, you can easily maintain the cleanliness and longevity of your camera, and continue to take wonderful spot-free pictures!

Video

If you’re still not sure if you’re up to the task of cleaning your own DSLR sensor, then take a look at this video demonstration:

Links

For more information on sensor cleaning, check out these resources:

• Howtogeek
• Digitalcameraworld