Camera cleaning & maintenance tips
Outside of your camera can be cleaned with a soft cloth and a bulb blower (but not canned air which is too strong for the camera’s seals). It’s a good idea to do this regularly and especially after being exposed to sand, sea salt or similar.
Microfibre cloths or wet glasses wipes are useful for cleaning lenses and filters. The reverse of your lens not may be as easy to reach, try using the bulb blower gently.
If you have a removable lens your sensor can get dirty over time. To clean the sensor you may prefer to get some specialised equipment. Swabs can be purchased that are the exact size of your sensor and when used with specialist cleansing fluid they simplify the task.
Needless to say the sensor is a crucial and expensive part of your camera, every care must be taken not to do any damage, nor leave it dirtier than when you started. If you prefer you can pay for a professional to clean it but it can be done at home with careful preparation.
Microfibre cloths or wet glasses wipes are useful for cleaning lenses and filters. The reverse of your lens not may be as easy to reach, try using the bulb blower gently.
If you have a removable lens your sensor can get dirty over time. To clean the sensor you may prefer to get some specialised equipment. Swabs can be purchased that are the exact size of your sensor and when used with specialist cleansing fluid they simplify the task.
Needless to say the sensor is a crucial and expensive part of your camera, every care must be taken not to do any damage, nor leave it dirtier than when you started. If you prefer you can pay for a professional to clean it but it can be done at home with careful preparation.
Does your sensor need cleaning?
If you have interchangeable lenses on your camera removing them leaves the camera vulnerable to attracting dirt inside over time. If you see blemishes on your images that are consistently in the same place it’s very likely these are on your sensor. They particularly show up against light backgrounds, when using high f numbers or on ICM images.
As it easier to clean your lens, be sure to do that (front and back) first to rule that problem out.
Some cameras have a self cleaning sensor so it could be worth checking if turning this on in the menus makes a difference.
If you decide to clean the sensor it is best to take an image beforehand and afterwards to make sure you have cleaned it entirely (or made significant improvements). Try taking an image with a high(ish) f no, looking into a pale washed out sky or of a featureless white wall or similar. If checking on the screen on your camera you may need to zoom into the image a little just to be sure you see small blemishes.
As it easier to clean your lens, be sure to do that (front and back) first to rule that problem out.
Some cameras have a self cleaning sensor so it could be worth checking if turning this on in the menus makes a difference.
If you decide to clean the sensor it is best to take an image beforehand and afterwards to make sure you have cleaned it entirely (or made significant improvements). Try taking an image with a high(ish) f no, looking into a pale washed out sky or of a featureless white wall or similar. If checking on the screen on your camera you may need to zoom into the image a little just to be sure you see small blemishes.
Sensor cleaning
Think carefully about the location you are going to use, it should be as dust free as possible. Recent vacuuming can send dust into the air while steam tends to dampen it down, however you do need the air to be dry! Consider your clothing as well, fluffy jumpers are a no no. Think ahead about what you’ll be doing, the plan is to work swiftly since time is of the essence.
It’s wise to look up a video online that shows exactly the steps needed for your model of camera.
However the approximate steps are:
It’s wise to look up a video online that shows exactly the steps needed for your model of camera.
However the approximate steps are:
- Charge your camera, clean your space and have everything to hand ready.
- Remove the lens/body cap and gently remove any loose dust inside.
- If cleaning a DSLR, in the camera settings activate the cleaning mode to flip the mirror up out of the way.
- Add a droplet of cleansing fluid (ensure this is specifically for the sensor not for a lens) to a correctly sized swab, and smoothly sweep in one direction from one edge of the sensor to the other.
- Reassemble the camera and take a test shot to ensure dust has gone. If not, repeat with a fresh swab.