CLEAN YOUR SENSOR

NOTE: Some mirrorless cameras have a cleaning mode, too, that you might need to turn on. Check our camera's manual.

You should clean your sensor on a regular basis because it's easier than photoshopping out every piece of dust. Here's how I do it (and I don't follow the instructions). Here's how to buy it:

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[TonyAndChelsea]

NOTE: Some mirrorless cameras also have a cleaning mode that might lock the sensor down. Check your camera's manual. Here are the links:

[bigdemi]

Best way to locate the dust spots on your sensor is: high aperture (f11 works good), focus close, slow shutter speed (<2 seconds is good), low ISO (100 or 200), point the camera at a bright surface, take a photo and wave the camera around while the shutter is open. Everything will be blurred but the sensor spots will be nice and visible. You can take it one step further by bringing the photo into lightroom and cranking up the contrast.

[TheRoadrunner]

In case someone followed these instructions (or any other on YouTube cause they're all the same procedure), and saw that the sensor was full of streaking after cleaning, don't panic.
I don't know why no one mentions this but it's very common. Just use a dry swab after the wet one and wipe the sensor a few times in multiple directions till it's spotless (took me 4 wipes in 3 directions). The cleaning fluid should not leave residue in theory but many of them do (according to my quick online research) for whatever reason. That is why cleaning kits state you should use a dry swab after the wet one. They just don't mention that most of the time, one swipe isn't enough to remove the streaking.

Would have been nice to know this info before I cleaned my Sony sensor and almost had a heart attack after seeing the streaks xD

[Peppermint]

You put the swap down on the table where is dust, then touched the swab with your fingers. This can get dirt/dust on the swab which may then transfer to the sensor. So good to open first the bottle, put it on the table, and then remove the swab from it's sealed bag - careful to tear at the end where you grab the swab. Better also not to touch the swab with the tip of the bottle. Just squeeze the bottle from a distance and let a few droplets fall on the swab. This way the swab doesn't touch on anything before placing it on the sensor so it stays 'sterile' of any specs, so to speak. Since I'm a little obsessive, better also not to talk over the sensor, tiny saliva droplets may as well jump on it. I've learned these techniques while in the surgery room, they use a special task order in order not to touch sterile surfaces. Great video and great explanations, thanks for sharing.

[dperreno]

I just did this on my ancient Pentax K100D Super (6MP is more than enough for ebay!) and it worked like a charm! I was questioning the usefulness or even the wisdom of doing a dry wipe first like the instructions said to do -- I am glad that you said to just go for the wet wipe first. Because the sensor had never been cleaned before, I had to repeat with a second swab and was able to remove the remaining bit of dust/dirt. Even though I have torn apart and rebuilt engines, transmissions, computers, kitchen appliances and many things I never should have touched, I was a bit fearful of messing up my camera sensor. I needn't have worried, it was easy. Thanks again for the encouragement!

[BagelsBagelsBagels]

The second half touched me in a way I never thought possible, I'm not ashamed to say I even cried. Truly your greatest piece of work on this earth lies within the last 5 minutes of this video.

[TonyAndChelsea]

SPECIAL PRIZE FOR SEEING THIS FIRST: 5 minutes of black at the end of the video, directly from my soul.

[Stevelalala]

Thanks very much Tony - you saved me a bunch of money. I have a several-year-old Pentax that I have never cleaned the sensor and noticed 3 blobs of dust on my photos the other day. After cleaning the lenses thoroughly, I found out they were on the sensor. Thought I had to take it in to a photo shop and have the sensor cleaned for $100. But your video gave me the courage to try it myself with the recommended kit. Worked great and it was easier than I thought. Thanks again!

[MeAMuse]

Glad to see you doing this video. I remember I used to be so scared to clean my sensor, but with mirrorless is became something I just had to do (just because it get's more exposure to dust). I can recommend using a blower first before using the swabs as a precaution - I skipped that step once - and it was actually a tiny piece of sand and I ended up with a tiny scratch on the sensor. Quite funny though - it does not actually affect the performance of the sensor and does not show up on photos (everything works flawlessly - I could send you a picture of the sensor and an example file if you are interested). It actually means that I am even more comfortable cleaning my sensor because I know it is not as delecate as I once thought it was. Still though.. use your blower first :)

[MrKikoboy]

The quick cycle on the dishwasher works fine for most Pentax

[mangoldm]

I’ve cleaned with this kit many times, safe and effective. I do recommend trying a blower first though to save on supplies.

[grat]

Cleaned my sensor successfully yesterday. I used your link to buy the cleaning kit (easiest way to find those swabs online) and followed your instructions. Thanks for the video, had no idea how easy it was to do at home.

[seacow]

What a mind reader. I was wondering what was the best way to clean my Sony A7ii and here comes Tony to save the day!

[oskarlundvall]

My A7rIII has cleaning mode, which is recommended to enter before cleaning. It fixes the IBIS so sensor won't move.

Ive not needed a wet clean yet, and I am super picky with clean sensor. Rocket blower has been fine til now. 👍

Back in the Nikon days, Rocket blower did nothing. Always had to do wet cleans. So Sony is saving me money there....

[shifteleven]

I like that you had that can of dust remover waiting to trigger us in the comments.

[FrederickDunn]

Thank YOU, I just bought the Nikon FX kit using the link. needed to clean my D5 and didn't have time to send it off for routine maintenance. Spots were showing up in my macro video work... thank you as always Tony!

[guyyowell]

Thanks so much Tony! I ordered the kit that you specified in your tutorial, followed your instructions, and it worked beautifully. Thanks very much!!

[karlvonpackal]

I pump up the aperture to 22 and take a pic of the light blue sky (it really shows the dust prominently... learned this the hard way)

[NickBusigo]

Thanks Tony! I've been having nightmares about these small little dust specs in the top right of my frame for months now I'm glad I can finally take care of that.

[Leonardo-msnk]

This was definitely one of the hardest things I had to do to my sony, I was so nervous but I kept it together and got it done, nice and clean thanks Tony