Sensor cleaning with air compressor

Joined: 12 Sep 2006 Posts: 14 Location: New Zealand

Just wondering if anyone has tried using an air compressor to clean thier sensor?

We've got an industial one at work which runs airpowered drills etc. I've been tempted to clean my sensor (with the blower tool not the drill!), but Is this too powerful to use? Even from a distance?

Joined: 06 Jul 2006 Posts: 251 Location: Metro Detroit

Two words: Giotto Rocket

Joined: 26 Jul 2006 Posts: 402 Location: Massachusetts

From what I've read. WAAAAY too powerful. Check out

http://www.moosepeterson.com/techtips/cleanccd.html

or do a google search for "copperhill sensor cleaning" for more info.

-Doug

Posted: Wed Feb 14, 2007 8:04 pm

No! Don't do it.

Compressors tend to have oil in the air. Unless you have an in-line oil trap, you'll wind up with oil all over your sensor. Even with one, the air blast is too powerful.

Sigma147

Joined: 12 Sep 2006 Posts: 41

Compressed air from compressors also tends to have a lot of water in it.

Gerhard

Posted: Wed Feb 14, 2007 8:27 pm

NO! You'll potentially free more dust and dirt from the sides as well. The compressed air is so powerful that it could put a grain of dirt across the sensor and scratch it permanently.

Joined: 21 Oct 2006 Posts: 350 Location: Ontario, Canada

Besides being powerful enough to destroy the shutter and mirror, if the compressor is used to run air tools, an inline oiler used to lubricate the tools will have impregnated the hoses with oil also.

Joined: 12 Sep 2006 Posts: 14 Location: New Zealand

Hey, thanks for the replies. I dont think I will be attempting to use the air compressor now :)

Joined: 06 Jul 2006 Posts: 251 Location: Metro Detroit

Ok, i've actually got some time to give the longer answer I wanted to before but didn't have time.

The quickest way to having a clean sensor is.. well, not to get it dirty in the first place =P

Seriously though, if it gets dust or such, use mirror lockup and hold the body with the opening facing downward (best off using a tripod for this).. and use a squeeze bulb air blower (Giotto has their Rocket, Promaster makes something similar as well). The blower **should** clear off the dust you have on your sensor. Cheap blowers may deposit chunks of rubber from the bulb.. so get a good one.

If the puff of air isn't enough to get the dirt off, invest in sensor cleaning wipes. You can get a sensor cleaning kit that has lint free wipes that you use a solution on, and a spatula-like swab that the wipes go on to clean the sensor.

For general dust, the air puffs should do the trick. If it's more stubborn, then you should consider the sensor wipes. You can find some good tutorials on the internet.