Can I clean my own sensor? How do I do it?

We have compiled a list of the TOP50 questions that we hear on our workshops. From gear, to settings, to composition, and shooting styles, we have decided to post three questions and answers a week till we get through them all.

We hope they answer some of the questions that you may have. Here is todays question.

Question: Can I clean my own sensor? How do I do it?

Answer: My initial answer, and the one I will always stick too when asked, is to take it to your local camera store, or send it to the manufacturers service department. Let the professionals do it… because if you make a mistake, you’ve ruined your sensor…

Sensor cleaning can be quite terrifying for a photographer to try on his or her own. Considering how much you paid for your camera, opening up the camera and attempting to clean the most important part of your camera is a daunting task for anyone. But with some research and practice, there are safe methods of sensor cleaning, which are also quick and easy.

So why do we need to clean our sensor? Dust and dirt can get onto the sensor inside your camera. The interchangeable lens system makes it impossible to stop foreign particles entering your camera, and it doesn’t take long for them to stick to the sensor.

Most of the time you won’t notice them, but when you’re shooting blue skies or white studio backdrops with a narrow aperture, dark flecks will become visible like a dark mark or an out of focus blob, heck, even a hair can attach to a sensor.

It’s only a matter of time until your digital camera’s sensor will need to be cleaned manually. The more you change lenses, the more you zoom and the dustier the places you go, the quicker this moment will arrive. In fact, after ever workshop, I get the internal parts of my camera cleaned.

There are lots of specialist tools and solutions available for cleaning sensors There are dry systems and there are wet systems. Regardless of the way you choose to go, for both, you’ll need a fully charged battery and employ mirror lock up on the camera so that your shutter and mirror mechanisms stay out of the way, giving you direct access to the sensor that needs cleaned

And this is where we stop… I do not want to be the reason you damaged your sensor because you followed what I said. ;-)

Do some online searches, some quick searches on youtube and google on “how do I clean my image sensor” will produce more tutorials than you care to read.

If you clean your own sensor, and care to share your tips or products, please add them to the comments section below. The more feedback and ideas the better.

Thanks for reading,

Northof49Photography