Sensor cleaning with a Lenspen

[Greg B]

Has anybody tried using a lenspen to clean the sensor?

http://www.birdsasart.com/lenspens.htm

[Alpha_7]

I wouldn't my lens pen struggles to clean my lens and definitely wouldn't trust it with my sensor.

[gstark]

Greg,

Toio many "secrets" in this one for me. The all important "first step", for instance.

I note that this comes from Florida, the home of our esteemed nature photographer, Energypolice, and I would give it similar credence.

[Greg B]

I note that this comes from Florida, the home of our esteemed nature photographer, Energypolice, and I would give it similar credence.

A powerfull observation Gary .

I am tempted to lock my own thread.

[huynhie]

A lens pen will leave specs of carbon behind.

[Steffen]

A lens pen will leave specs of carbon behind.

Agreed. I've used lenspens on my lenses for some time (until I found the excellent microfiber cloths from Go-Lo). The lenspen is very good for removing smears on multi-coated glass surfaces, but can leave a little dust behind (which you definitely don't want on the sensor).

Cheers
Steffen.

[DaveB]

The article in question is from Artie Morris, who I personally hold in high regard (even if he does live in Florida ).

Note that the lens pen in question is not the fat one we see in the shops over here, it's the thinner model.
Re the issue of residual carbon: a lens pen should be used in conjunction with a blower.

Personally I get by with a blower most of the time, and have an Arctic Butterfly brush and a full wet-clean kit for when something needs to actually touch the glass. I haven't been tempted by the lenspen path for DSLRs, although I have been known to use one on the IR filter for DSLRs when servicing a camera... (i.e. with the filter out of the camera and in a gloved hand).

Craig, you say your lens pen struggles: is it due for replacement? They don't last forever (the head wears out, and the reserve of powder gets depleted).