Cloudy Days, Clear Photos: Mastering Sensor Maintenance

What Does a Photographer Do When It’s Cold, Wet, and Gloomy Outside?

Well, it’s the perfect time to clean your camera sensor! If you frequently switch lenses, it’s worth checking if your sensor needs a cleaning. It’s been a while since I wrote about this topic, but it’s always good to revisit.

Here’s a quick guide:

1. Set Up Your Camera
   • Use your regular lens (the type doesn’t matter).
   • Set the aperture between f/8.0–f/16.0, higher is better. A smaller aperture reveals dust and dirt on the sensor more clearly.
   • Point your camera upwards to the sky or towards a bright, uniform light source—avoid dark gray clouds! A white computer screen works too or a white paper.
   • Don’t worry about shutter speed; since the dust is on the sensor, motion blur isn’t an issue.
2. Inspect the Test Photos
   • Upload the images to your computer and adjust the exposure for even lighting.
   • Increase the contrast to make any dust or dirt stand out. Look for small or large gray spots on the image.
3. Cleaning the Sensor
   • If the sensor is dirty, invest in a sensor cleaning kit. I recommend the VSGO kit—it’s reasonably priced and highly effective.
   • Don’t toss the used swabs right away! They’re also great for cleaning the metal or plastic mounts of your lenses, an often-overlooked spot.

VSGO offers specialized cleaning kits tailored to every type of sensor.

When cleaning a Micro Four Thirds (M4/3) camera sensor, be extra cautious about applying pressure ! These sensors have a delicate suspension system, making them more susceptible to damage.

How to Clean Your Camera Sensor: A Simple and Cost-Effective Guide :

Having your camera sensor professionally cleaned can cost around €50, but the truth is, you can achieve the same results at home for much less. With a VSGO sensor cleaning kit, you’ll spend roughly the same amount, but you’ll be able to clean up to twelve cameras or use it multiple times.

Here’s how you can clean your sensor safely and effectively:

Prepare Your Workspace

• Choose a clean room: Avoid dusty environments, like bedrooms.
• Choose a dry room: Not in the bathroom.
• Set up a clean surface: Ensure you have a tidy area to work on.
• Have the right tools: Besides a sensor cleaning kit, a blower (air pump) will be invaluable.

Step-by-Step Cleaning Process

1. Perform a Test
   • First, check if cleaning is necessary by taking a photo of a plain background (e.g., a white wall or the sky) and inspecting it for spots or smudges.
2. Initial Cleaning with a Blower
   • Position your camera upright and remove the lens.
   • Use the blower to remove any loose dust particles from the sensor.
   • Reattach the lens and test again.
3. Deep Cleaning with a Swab
   If the sensor is still dirty:
   • Remove battery from mirrorless camera (not on a DSLR)
   • Open a fresh cleaning swab.
   • Apply two drops of cleaning fluid to the swab.
   • With the lens removed and the camera lying flat, gently swipe the swab across the sensor, in a 45° angle, from left to right (or vice versa) using light pressure. Ensure you clean the upper and lower edges.
   • Flip the swab to the dry side and repeat to remove excess liquid.
   • Re-insert battery and re-attach the lens and test again.
4. Repeat if Necessary
   • If spots remain, repeat the process using a new swab.

Lens Changing Tip: A Reader’s Valuable Advice

Thanks to a helpful suggestion from Mark G. Adams of OneCameraOneLens.com, here’s an updated tip for keeping your camera sensor clean during lens changes.

Whenever you switch lenses, it’s a good practice to hold your camera with the lens mount facing down. This position minimizes the chance of dust or dirt entering the camera. Additionally, before attaching the new lens, use a blower to gently blow upwards into the camera while it’s held downward. This allows any dust to fall away naturally, rather than being blown around inside.

Remember: keeping the lens mount pointed downward is always the safest way to swap lenses. Thank you, Mark, for this excellent tip!

Sensor Protector: Another Reader’s Tip!

Some readers have shared that cleaning their camera sensor feels like a step too far — they worry about causing irreparable damage. But thanks to our reader and good friend Berny, there might be a solution that makes this task much less intimidating.

Berny uses a clip-in filter: a stainless steel frame with a Teflon coating that clicks into place right in front of the sensor. This filter acts as a shield, protecting the sensor from dust and debris. When cleaning is needed, it’s the filter that gets cleaned, not the delicate sensor itself.

The best part? These filters are priced similarly to a single professional sensor cleaning service, making them a cost-effective, long-term solution.

Interested? Here’s the link Berny shared: STC Optics Clip Filters. A quick online search should help you find a local or online retailer near you.

Thanks, Berny, for this valuable tip!

Important Notes

• Don’t worry about damaging your sensor. It’s protected by a glass layer, making it highly resistant to scratches or damage.
• Always use fresh swabs and apply minimal pressure during cleaning.

By following these steps, you can keep your sensor clean and save money in the process!

For more detailed instructions, check my YouTube video on using the VSGO kit – see below.

Happy cleaning!