Cleaning SENSOR on set- best practices

plasticam

plasticam

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I had a sensor go spotty on me during an INT shoot last month. Noticed it on a 50mm prime 2.0 Leica- forget my stop but close to open. 3 smudges very slight but had to be removed right away. I opened and blew with air, wet with pancro a clean microfibre cloth kept in a ziplock and lightly swept side to side then after turning cloth repeated with slightly more pressure. It was better but I had to repeat. almost gone, resumed shoot.

I noticed it again however last week. At this point I have time to ask and plan my approach. I don't believe in sending the camera "IN" for this. I have to find a way to deal with this on location when it happens.

"Sorry guys, call it a day. there is a spec of dust in camera - camera has to go to New Jersey again" ; )

Adds new tension to "checking the gate"
 
I had the same thing happen to me on a job this week. I was shooting in a factory that was full of dust and debris. I got tired of the zoom I was using, and shot with primes, and of course got my sensor spotty. Luckilly canned air was all that it took since I didn't have all my tools on me. I think I might bite the bullet and buy one of those artic butterfly kits. They aren't cheap, but I've borrowed them from friends and they are great for cleaning a sensor on location.
 
The owner manual says not to use a "spray blower", sounds like they can end up shooting undersirable propellants onto the sensor.
 
Kraut69 said:
The owner manual says not to use a "spray blower", sounds like they can end up shooting undersirable propellants onto the sensor.
Click to expand...

Damn, I should probably read the manual! Now it looks like I have an excuse to buy that expensive brush to clean the sensor.
 
I've been using the compressed air spray can for years on EVERYTHING. Nothing bad has happened yet, but if you do shake it or hold it sideways, it will spray liquid.
 
I use the, wait for it, anal sryinge bulbs. I once in my AC days sprayed propellent out of an air can onto a 4x4 filter and found it was some insidious gunk to clean away, really evil. If that ever got in a camera you'd need a factory repair. Have used the butt bulbs since and find they are cheap, always 'full' and actually direct an amazing blast of air in a finely focused area. I'm sure spray is fine too, I just like the worry free.
 
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