Sensor Cleaning-Arctic Butterfly 700 vs 754

[bwhatnall]

Hi Guys,
After a failed attempt to clean my sensor with rapidly moving air being blasted at it with a balloon pump, I havn't invested in a blower, as i think the pump is just as good, the sensor has got 10x worse
Before:

After:


YES, THE SECOND PHOTO IS THE AFTER!!!

I am now considering sending it in for a good thorough professional cleanout, and then investing in an arctic butterfly to deal with dust bunnies with-ought them breeding in the future, does anyone know which is the better model, and which is the best buy, the 700 or 754

[digitor]

Maybe your balloon pump (whatever that is) is full of crap (and or oil ), and is blowing it all over the sensor.

Cheers

[Matt. K]

The Giotto rocket rubber blower has a filter that prevents dust being sucked into it.....that's why they are so popular with photographers. They are essential for keeping dust bunnies at bay. The other essential items are PecPads and Eclipse fluid for wet cleaning. The instructions are on this forum and it is a simple operation.

[gstark]

Hi Guys,
After a failed attempt to clean my sensor with rapidly moving air being blasted at it with a balloon pump,

As in a pump that one uses to blow up balloons with?

As in a pump, with a sliding mechanism that has grease and oil that can, does, and will seep into the air chamber?

And you express surprise at the outcome that you have achieved?

i think the pump is just as good, the sensor has got 10x worse

And with respect, that would be incorrect thinking on your part.

YES, THE SECOND PHOTO IS THE AFTER!!!

This is what we refer to as an expected outcome. A balloon pump is not designed for cleaning sensors with. It is not a clean device. You may as well take your camera to your local service station and use their tyre pump: it's just as clean.

And as for those cans of air that you can buy. They're a great idea too, and can spray propellant all over your sensor. May as well get a can of spray paint.

[the foto fanatic]

I have read some criticism of the Arctic Butterfly in that the movement of the brushes causes static electricity which actually attracts dust.

I'm fairly sure that it was Thom Hogan, so it would be worthwhile reading his thoughts on sensor cleaning before proceeding.

[who]

Here's Thom's comments....

http://www.bythom.com/cleaning.htm

I think this is pertinent - but read the whole article....

The fatal flaw in both is that the brush blade tends to widen as you use the spin cycle to clean it. This makes it more likely that the brush touches the sides of the chamber around the sensor filter, and most cameras have a greasy compound in those areas that you absolutely don't want to transfer to the brush.

[mickeyjuice]

I have read some criticism of the Arctic Butterfly in that the movement of the brushes causes static electricity which actually attracts dust.

Well, that's how it's designed to work.

[Mr Darcy]

After a failed attempt to clean my sensor with rapidly moving air being blasted at it with a balloon pump, I havn't invested in a blower, as i think the pump is just as good, the sensor has got 10x worse

Hypothesis: a balloon pump is just as good as a dedicated blower
Test: use a balloon pump to clean the sensor
Result: the sensor got 10x worse
Control: I use a dedicated camera blower. While the sensor does not always come away clean, it always comes away better than before.

Conclusion: Hypothesis is WRONG. Change your thinking. and your cleaning method.

[biggerry]

Giotto rocket rubber blower has a filter that prevents dust being sucked into it

I have found, more often than not that using a blower distributes more dust, I do use a giotto, however I think most cameras with a little age under their belt will have some dust in the chamber, blasting the chamber may redistribute the dust onto the sensor.

I learnt the hard way (more than once ) that after doing a wet clean not to use the blower as it just became worse than the starting point! I now at the start of a wet clean give the sensors and chamber a really good blow out then wet clean.

It is inevitable that dslr users will eventually require a wet clean, maybe this is the time for yours, now you have to weigh up whether you would liek to do it your self of pay money for someone else to do it.

PecPads and Eclipse fluid for wet cleaning

see
http://www.dslrusers.com/viewtopic.php?f=44&t=34459&p=372489
http://www.cleaningdigitalcameras.com/

[the foto fanatic]

I have read some criticism of the Arctic Butterfly in that the movement of the brushes causes static electricity which actually attracts dust.

Well, that's how it's designed to work.

Yes, indeed. But I knew there was a qualification - I didn't express myself too clearly.

The fatal flaw in both is that the brush blade tends to widen as you use the spin cycle to clean it. This makes it more likely that the brush touches the sides of the chamber around the sensor filter, and most cameras have a greasy compound in those areas that you absolutely don't want to transfer to the brush.

That's what I was trying to remember, and didn't have time to look for it last night.

Thanks to who for digging it up and posting it.

[gstark]

I learnt the hard way (more than once ) that after doing a wet clean not to use the blower as it just became worse than the starting point! I now at the start of a wet clean give the sensors and chamber a really good blow out then wet clean.

Gerry,

More than once? Will the slow learners please form a queue to my right?

Step 1: Give the camera a good blow job. Frequently, that's all that's needed.

When using the rocket, hold the camera downside up, mirror box facing your table/work-area, and then blow upwards into the inverted mirror box. Make gravity work for you, rather than against you. Try some short puffs, not too strong, and from outside of the mirror box. I think you may be pleasantly surprised at how effective that may be.

Step 2: Usually optional: wet clean, with Pec Pads, and two forms of alcohol. Eclipse for the camera, your favourite bevvy for you.

[biggerry]

More than once?

ok ok...it was only twice ... and the second time I was trying to see how much dust was in the chamber (lots by the way)...

(and you know what they say about doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result...)

good blow job

not to be taken out of context of course....

favourite bevvy for you.

eases the shaking hands first time round when you stick ya chopstick (or wahtever) and pecpad in..

[bwhatnall]

What about bringing a vacume cleaner on low power close to the camera opening, just enough to suck out dust but not enough to cling onto the camera and cause damage.

I used to do it with my D50 before I got a big NO NO from the camera store guys, and that worked a treat

[gstark]

What about bringing a vacume cleaner on low power close to the camera opening,

ROTFLMAO

You are kidding, right?

just enough to suck out dust but not enough to cling onto the camera and cause damage.

And do you honestly believe that you can actually control that?

A bloody Giotto rocket is what? A few bucks? How much will it cost to get your bloody mirror box replaced when it gets sucked into your bloody vacuum cleaner?

[who]

Brooke.....

Send it to Nikon for a clean..... at least that way it will be clean and will work at the end of it (or else they have to fix it).

Once again...... for a process that will work if you want to DIY

http://www.bythom.com/cleaning.htm

Quite simply - if you have that much crud, you need to use the proper fluids and a wet clean.


Before you ask, no you cannot properly clean your sensor with a cottonbud and Vodka either.......

Gary - please tell me its not 1 April

[ATJ]

I bought the Copper Hill Sensor Swipe 14mm Kit with Eclipse E2 fluid from Quality Camera Sales Australia to clean the sensor on my D300. It was fairly easy to use by just following the detailed instructions in the packaging and online: CCD/CMOS Cleaning Tutorial.

[mickeyjuice]

I bought the Copper Hill Sensor Swipe 14mm Kit with Eclipse E2 fluid from Quality Camera Sales Australia

+1

[DaveB]

I've seen some nasty rocket blowers. My recommendation: keep it in a zip-lock bag! Otherwise it will pick up crud from your camera bag. For that matter, occasionally give your camera bag a good vacuum as well!
Be aware that the "one-way" valve on a Giottos rocket blower is only at the back of the bulb: there's no valve to stop dust being drawn back up the nozzle. If your rocket blower does get dirty, simply take it apart and wash it in mild detergent.

A Giottos Rocket is my stage 1 cleaning solution, which I take into the field. BTW, it can be worth occasionally blowing out the mirror box with the shutter closed, and sometimes I've even cleaned the walls of a mirror box with 3M magic tape. But doing this after you've got the sensor clean is a bit silly.

I have the AB 724 (the current Brite version with LED is a nice touch, but I have the older model) and would probably stay away from the 700 (it spins slower and the brush is not detachable: it has to be cleaned in place). The brush does benefit from occasional washing (depending on how much / where you use it). You do need to be careful to not mash it into the edges of the sensor filter housing.
The AB is my stage 2, which I take on trips. I also have a Sensor Loupe, which is great for speeding up the clean/check cycle. If I use the AB I will have used the blower at the start of the procedure.

The Eclipse/PecPad wet cleaning is my stage 3, which usually stays at home. Sometimes I might skip using the AB before wet cleaning (depending on the state of the filter) but the blower is always first.

[bwhatnall]

I've seen some nasty rocket blowers. My recommendation: keep it in a zip-lock bag! Otherwise it will pick up crud from your camera bag. For that matter, occasionally give your camera bag a good vacuum as well!
Be aware that the "one-way" valve on a Giottos rocket blower is only at the back of the bulb: there's no valve to stop dust being drawn back up the nozzle. If your rocket blower does get dirty, simply take it apart and wash it in mild detergent.

A Giottos Rocket is my stage 1 cleaning solution, which I take into the field. BTW, it can be worth occasionally blowing out the mirror box with the shutter closed, and sometimes I've even cleaned the walls of a mirror box with 3M magic tape. But doing this after you've got the sensor clean is a bit silly.

I have the AB 724 (the current Brite version with LED is a nice touch, but I have the older model) and would probably stay away from the 700 (it spins slower and the brush is not detachable: it has to be cleaned in place). The brush does benefit from occasional washing (depending on how much / where you use it). You do need to be careful to not mash it into the edges of the sensor filter housing.
The AB is my stage 2, which I take on trips. I also have a Sensor Loupe, which is great for speeding up the clean/check cycle. If I use the AB I will have used the blower at the start of the procedure.

The Eclipse/PecPad wet cleaning is my stage 3, which usually stays at home. Sometimes I might skip using the AB before wet cleaning (depending on the state of the filter) but the blower is always first.

Thanks for that Dave, summed up everything I needed to know.

There are some funny reactions on this thread, can I clean out my sensor with a hammer??? A little tap should do fine??? Of course I wouldnt use a vacume cleaner, though it was funny seeing some of you take it seriously