Sensor Cleaning Mistake

RichG · 02-07-2014, 12:40 PM - **1 Like**

One caveat I have yet to see in this thread is never to use the canned air typically used to blow gunk out of keyboards etc. The propellant in the canned air can crud up your sensor even more.

**BigDave** · 02-07-2014, 12:56 PM

Karen:

Not knowing where you are, if in the NYC area, try Phototech, in Manhattan. THey do a nice job and cleaning the innards and stuff, and especially the sensor. Their price is not excessive. If you happen to be at the PhotoPlus show in the Fall, the last two years they have done the cleaning at the show for half price!

Good luck!

Karen Cook · 03-05-2014, 10:58 AM

Originally posted by Karen Cook

I recently tried to clean my K-3 sensor with a camera brush. The brush left bristles and more dust debris on the sensor, now my sensor is a mess and can not take pictures. Can someone pls help me solve this mistake, I really appreciate it.
This makes me sick.

Thank you.
Karen

Hi Everyone, I finally had to send my Pentax K 3 in for repair. To found out they had to order a new fresnel for the camera body, and a new motor for my DA* 50-135 lens. Thank you for all your support.

dansamy · 03-05-2014, 11:06 AM

Ouch! Hopefully, it won't be too bad.

**jac** · 03-23-2014, 07:22 AM

Originally posted by calsan

Said it before, the Pentax gumby wand is the best for home use, with no chance of damaging anything as there's no bristles, dust blowing around or anything sharp.

Pentax Image Sensor Cleaning Kit, O-ICK1 reviews - Pentax Camera Accessory Review Database

If I was in your situation, I would stop doing anything more and pay a camera shop to clean it.

FWIW, I've tried Eclipse and other wet swabs but with my old shaky hands, the O-ICK1 works best. I use a Giotto with no Ill effect. I never touch the mirror with anything but air. I keep the SR activated at start-up. I've had miserable things that seemingly wouldn't go away but eventually did with the above combinations and patience. I never try to save a few pennies/dollars by re-using a pad or a section of the Pentax pad.
But if my sensor looked like that, I would probably panic, pack and ship to a reliable shop. Hope you get a solution to this.

GibbyTheMole · 03-23-2014, 08:57 AM

Originally posted by mrNewt

Problem with brushes is that they get very easily dirty and they are prone to A LOT of dust!
Once you got dust on them, is almost impossible to clean them properly...

For what it's worth, I've been using this method for about three years with the same brushes, and it still works great every time. Haven't had to do a wet cleaning yet.

Basie · 03-24-2014, 11:09 AM

Originally posted by sterretje

The automatic sensor cleaning on the K5 is very good. I still have to find the first dust spot after 2 years. And yes, I swap lenses quite regularly

And with the camera mount facing up.

Hi Sterretjie

I had my K5 for six months and cringe every time I shoot at F11. Lots of dust and that is with the automatic sensor cleaning on and a blower. Hope to get my Pentax gel kit next week. No reputable shop in this area that I know of

Imageman · 03-25-2014, 09:40 PM

Don't panic too much

You didn't put dirt on your sensor, your sensor is behind several layers, the top most of which is a sheet of glass called schott glass.

This sheet of glass filters out the infrared light and is bonded to the sensor.

You have sensor behind usually 3 layers of filters - bayer array filter, anti aliasing filter, schott glass IR filter(infra red filtration). I know of few sensors that you can touch physically, unless theyve been hacked to remove the protective filters for infra red photography and anti aliasing.

So any cleaning you do is the cleaning a glass sheet that is protecting your sensor.

I would suggest therefore that you can try the recommended cleaning tips once more, using care of course.

stevebrot · 03-26-2014, 08:51 AM

Originally posted by derekmadge

I personally would feel comfortable user the blower bulb device I used with film but wouldn't be so, user a powered and strong blower. Does that distinction need to be made here?

I have been using a Rocket Blower type for several years and it works great. Power is not an issue. As noted above, canned air is a BIG NO!

Steve

02-07-2014, 12:40 PM - 1 Like	#31
RichG New Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Des Moines, Iowa Posts: 7	Don't use canned air One caveat I have yet to see in this thread is never to use the canned air typically used to blow gunk out of keyboards etc. The propellant in the canned air can crud up your sensor even more.

03-23-2014, 07:22 AM	#35
jac Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Clyde River, Nunavut, Canada Posts: 2,364	Originally posted by calsan Said it before, the Pentax gumby wand is the best for home use, with no chance of damaging anything as there's no bristles, dust blowing around or anything sharp. Pentax Image Sensor Cleaning Kit, O-ICK1 reviews - Pentax Camera Accessory Review Database If I was in your situation, I would stop doing anything more and pay a camera shop to clean it. FWIW, I've tried Eclipse and other wet swabs but with my old shaky hands, the O-ICK1 works best. I use a Giotto with no Ill effect. I never touch the mirror with anything but air. I keep the SR activated at start-up. I've had miserable things that seemingly wouldn't go away but eventually did with the above combinations and patience. I never try to save a few pennies/dollars by re-using a pad or a section of the Pentax pad. But if my sensor looked like that, I would probably panic, pack and ship to a reliable shop. Hope you get a solution to this. Last edited by jac; 03-23-2014 at 07:35 AM.

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02-07-2014, 12:56 PM	#32
BigDave Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Hudson Valley, NY Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,626	Karen: Not knowing where you are, if in the NYC area, try Phototech, in Manhattan. THey do a nice job and cleaning the innards and stuff, and especially the sensor. Their price is not excessive. If you happen to be at the PhotoPlus show in the Fall, the last two years they have done the cleaning at the show for half price! Good luck!

03-05-2014, 10:58 AM	#33
Karen Cook New Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 10 Original Poster	Originally posted by Karen Cook I recently tried to clean my K-3 sensor with a camera brush. The brush left bristles and more dust debris on the sensor, now my sensor is a mess and can not take pictures. Can someone pls help me solve this mistake, I really appreciate it. This makes me sick. Thank you. Karen Hi Everyone, I finally had to send my Pentax K 3 in for repair. To found out they had to order a new fresnel for the camera body, and a new motor for my DA* 50-135 lens. Thank you for all your support.

03-05-2014, 11:06 AM	#34
dansamy Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,450	Ouch! Hopefully, it won't be too bad.

03-23-2014, 08:57 AM	#36
GibbyTheMole Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Iowa Photos: Albums Posts: 2,275	Originally posted by mrNewt Problem with brushes is that they get very easily dirty and they are prone to A LOT of dust! Once you got dust on them, is almost impossible to clean them properly... For what it's worth, I've been using this method for about three years with the same brushes, and it still works great every time. Haven't had to do a wet cleaning yet.

03-24-2014, 11:09 AM	#37
Basie Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Windhoek, Namibia Photos: Gallery Posts: 991	Originally posted by sterretje The automatic sensor cleaning on the K5 is very good. I still have to find the first dust spot after 2 years. And yes, I swap lenses quite regularly And with the camera mount facing up. Hi Sterretjie I had my K5 for six months and cringe every time I shoot at F11. Lots of dust and that is with the automatic sensor cleaning on and a blower. Hope to get my Pentax gel kit next week. No reputable shop in this area that I know of

03-25-2014, 09:40 PM	#38
Imageman Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Photos: Albums Posts: 461	Don't panic too much You didn't put dirt on your sensor, your sensor is behind several layers, the top most of which is a sheet of glass called schott glass. This sheet of glass filters out the infrared light and is bonded to the sensor. You have sensor behind usually 3 layers of filters - bayer array filter, anti aliasing filter, schott glass IR filter(infra red filtration). I know of few sensors that you can touch physically, unless theyve been hacked to remove the protective filters for infra red photography and anti aliasing. So any cleaning you do is the cleaning a glass sheet that is protecting your sensor. I would suggest therefore that you can try the recommended cleaning tips once more, using care of course.

03-26-2014, 08:51 AM	#39
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by derekmadge I personally would feel comfortable user the blower bulb device I used with film but wouldn't be so, user a powered and strong blower. Does that distinction need to be made here? I have been using a Rocket Blower type for several years and it works great. Power is not an issue. As noted above, canned air is a BIG NO! Steve