Delkin sensor vac or sensor brush?

[svpworld]

Ok, I am looking for a regular cost effective way of keeping the dust off my sensor (EOS400D) as I do a lot of macro at small apertures. Needless to say the EOS400 cleaning system isn't entirely dust free.

I already have a large bulb blower which I regularly use with the camera held face down to blow out any loose particles whilst changing lenses and from the sensor/chamber.

I also bought some digipads and eclipse solution, but I find that I usually need to use 2-3 swabs and its a somewhat nerve racking experience that I'd prefer not to do on a regular basis! The swabs aren't cheap, so I don't want to be swabbing too often.

I'm thinking now that maybe a sensor brush, or something like the artic butterfly would be a good choice? I only see a few dusty's on my sensor and rather than waste a swab or two, maybe a brush would move them?

But I've also seen the Delkin digital dusting system and its sensorvac, essentially a small vacuum cleaner with brush on the end for sensor cleaning. Whilst I think their sensor scope is a bit of rip off, the vacuum cleaner seems a brilliant idea as it would suck out the dust once and for all.

Anyone used any of these things, and if so what can you advise as an affordable but effective means of minimising dust without resorting to swabs?

Many thanks!
Simon

[JimLittle]

I favor lens pens---sensorklear----

[svpworld]

Thanks Jim, how do you use the lens pen? Do you "dab" each dust spot, and if so how do you know where to dab?

[devil350]

Here is a vidéo that show you how to use a sensor brush, followed by the BRUSHOFF and finally the sensor swab.
Right click here, save as... for the Vidéo (http://www.reidlimaging.com/images/CapteurHR.mov) (Quick time movie) !

I hope it will help you... It is sometimes better to see images or vidéos for such things...

Regards,
Laurent.

[Lester Wareham]

I would worry about a lens pen, it has abrasives on it doesn't it.

I user a sensor brush which works quite well. I have the materials for the wet solution but have not used it yet.

I think the key to this is not to try to get the thing 100% clean, you are only winding yourself up if you try.

[svpworld]

Yep after doing some research, the thought of rubbing graphite on my sensor put me off! They now sell a sensor pen, though I am assuming its the same thing. Good idea though (if it works).
I am feeling a brush may be the way to go. The delkin vac looks like one of those hopeless tiny computer keyboard vacuum cleaners that don't even suck smoke up! And the price is rather steep. Also there's no knowing how good the brush on the end of it is. Why doesnt someone come up with a decent powerful sensor vacuum cleaner! Problem solved!

Ok so the sensor brushes are rather overpriced, about 100 euros or £60 here in the uk ! They also say the artic butterfly 740 (which looks a neat unit) isn't suitable for main cleaning and you still need to get the bigger brush (and spinner for it I assume?)...anyone tried it, does it do the job? then there's the photo solutions sensor pen that has a grounding wire attached to it, and its much cheaper... it sounds convincing.. I also found that thedustpatrol.com offer a much cheaper sensor brush (the D-SLR brush) for $25 and looks every bit as good as others I've seen.
So what do I get? Any thoughts?

[GAELICSTORM7]

I've just ordered the Delkin Sensorscope system from warehouse express (out of stock at the moment), will be interested to see how it performs, will keep you uptodate on how I find it.

Alan

[metoyou]

I've just ordered the Delkin Sensorscope system from warehouse express (out of stock at the moment), will be interested to see how it performs, will keep you uptodate on how I find it.

Alan

Hi Alan,

Any results yet regarding the 'Sensorscope' use?

Martin

[GAELICSTORM7]

Hi there, sorry for the delay in replying to this post, here goes now

I've used the kit once on my 350D and once (yesterday) on my 1D, works great the sensor scope, really does show up most of the bits on the sensor, I start by using a rocket blower to tray and shift whats there, if that doesnt work I try the little vacuum cleaner, not too convinced onthis part of the kit, it does move stuff, but to what extent I'm not sure, then the swabs and solution if there's anything else still left on there, they seem to do a good job, one end of the swab is used wet the other end dry for drying off the fluid, don't know why but my 1D seems far more prone to attracting dust than my 350D used to be, don't know why that shoud be. Anyhoo, overall I can recommend the kit, it does clean very well.

Alan

[cornflakes]

do u recommend getting the kit WITH the vaccuum??

or should i just get the 'refill' kit which has the swabs and the solution?

[DDan]

I bought the Delkin kit to get the sensor scope. The scope speeds things up a little because you can look right at the dust instead of doing the sky shots routine. The problem is the scope doesn't show the lubricant blobs very well and you will have some of them especially with a new camera.

The Delkin vacuum has limited effectiveness. I prefer the Arctic butterfly brush for the initial cleaning of the dust bunnies. I think that most of the stuff left behind is lubricant but there is no way to know for sure. The lube blobs definitely have to be removed with wet cleaning and it takes several swabbings to clear them as the initial swabs smear it around.

I don't like the Delkin swabs a lot. I prefer pecpads on a sensor wand (spatula).