Customer Reviews

Digital Survival KIT - Sensor Swab Type 2 (w/Eclipse)

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(24)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I have been using the "Copperhill method" for cleaning my DSLR sensors when they capture enough dust to become a problem. That only happens once every several months of heavy use though, and I was looking for a "kit" style solution to the problem that would fit in my camera bag, and be ready when I felt the need to clean a sensor. This little kit is a gem. It is exactly the same as the Copperhill method I have been using, but it is assembled in a nice, small zipper case that fits in a pocket on a camera bag. It gives you enough supplies to clean your sensor about 5 times. If you want to buy bulk PEC pads, and bulk methyl alcohol, you can refill the kit over and over. For it's price though, it's not a bad once per year expense to just buy a new kit. Very nice product.

I had major dust problems on my camera's sensor. (It was literally ruining my photos beyond basic photoshop repair.) After using this product, I was able to remove about 97% of the dust I had on my sensor in just a few swipes. I did find it more difficult to get the corners but, in the end, was able to get it all cleared out. I did not find that reusing one end redeposited dust back on the sensor. I did use both sides, flipped the cloth over (wasn't easy getting the rubber band back on) and used both sides again and felt like I was able to get the sensor really clean. (Getting at least 4 swipes with one stick was important for me while considering the cost of these things)

I will say however, that it's very important to clean the rest of the camera (inside and out) before cleaning the sensor. Also make sure the space you are working on is clean. I did not do either of those and became extremely frustrated when dust and fibers from the camera's mirror/viewfinder section and my dirty work environment was getting on the sensor. I recommend using a lens cleaning cloth or a microfiber cloth of some kind to work on.

There are tons of websites and youtube videos out there with tutorials on cleaning your camera's sensor. Some better than others. Just google 'sensor cleaning' and add in the model of your camera. Lots of helpful websites came up for my Canon 30d.

My friends freaked when I told them that I was out on a 2 week cruise and had to clean my sensor on the Canon 40D I had with me!

"Send it to Canon!", "Never clean it yourself!"...

Huh? What's the big deal? I had unacceptable crap on the sensor, and didn't liek the idea of the dust delete feature, as I still would have covered up pixels. And the debris was pretty bad.

Took me like 60 seconds total!

Outstanding quality, and the cleaner was perfect for my 40D's APS-C sensor.

Bogus Exception

After finally realizing that the small spots in my photos were not on my lens but on the sensor, I inquired with my local Samy's Camera about having the sensor on my Nikon D700 cleaned. $50! So I figured I've give this product a try. Yes it worked but I used all the swabs. (very stingy with the swabs - only 4 and one pre-moistened freebie) I freaked out after the first try. I took a photo and there was more gunk than ever on the sensor so after 4 more tries and using up all the swabs, I finally got the hang of swabbing. The trick is getting that swab DIRECTLY on the sensor without touching the insides. I think stuff was dropping from the walls onto the sensor. I also applied very sturdy and hard pressure on the last try which may have also helped. I had to order more swabs. Expensive little buggers!! $50 for 12???!!!! Hopefully, my camera won't need it for another year. My camera is a year old and heavily used for shooting homes - mostly bracketing shots. In one year 50,000 shutter actuations. I will also be very careful in the future about changing lenses in dusty conditions and keeping the camera pointed down. So many little things to think about.

Got away with using a blower type dust remover on the sensor for several years, but finally had dirt that would not be blown away.

You read so much about the pros and cons of using a swab yourself AND pros and cons of sending your camera in to have it done in the shop, hard to decide which way to go.

Seems I had a pretty typical experience with first use and got SOME of the dirt off and left some in the corners. Didn't want to repeat process so will live with what is left until it gets worse again.

You don't get many swabs with this, but they say you should not clean the sensor that much in order to protect it from damage. Glad I didn't buy a dozen swabs at around $45 until I use all 4 of these and see how I like results over time.

Pouch is okay, but would have liked to buy just 4-6 swabs with liquid for about $10.00. I have no need for the other lens wipes they give you a ten pack of. Although I hear some re-wrap the swabs with these to save money.
Not suggesting you do that, please Note......

PEC*PAD is not recommended for cleaning the CCD...It is not the same material used in the Sensor Swabs..

Had to order from Adorama so could not get it shipped with other Amazon stocked items, shipping was a bit high for such a small and light weight item. Ends up just over $25 total cost for 4 tries at a clean sensor.
My first time ordering from them, and they did ship fast and without problems

I understand it can cost around $50. to have it cleaned once in the shop and they often come back with dirt still in place.

Newer camera models are starting to use electronic sensor cleaners build in.. nice idea, but they still need to be cleaned by hand now and then.

I'm going to write this review for people who have not cleaned their image sensor before. I just finished using this product minutes ago and HAD to leave a review.

For starters, if you've read your manual and/or things online, you've no doubt noticed that image sensor cleaning is filled with dire warnings about ruining your camera. It seems that more is written about how awful you're going to screw up your camera than how to actually clean it. After reading all of these things, I was very nervous about cleaning my Nikon D5000. Afterall, it's my first DSLR and I've only had it a few months. I mostly shoot outdoors and have to frequently swap between my telezoom and macro lenses. So it's no wonder that my image sensor was full of dust. I cleaned my sensor according to the instructions (as well as you tube videos I watched on the topic). The process took less than a minute and worked like a charm. Seriously.

I bought the large rocket blower separately because I wanted to try that first before using the wet method. I gotta tell ya people. Even though everyone gushes about the rocket blower, I found it to be useless for a camera that has a built-in sensor cleaner. I have my D5000 set to clean at startup and shut down. If your built-in sensor can't shake the dust loose, chances are pretty good that the rocket blower isn't going to dislodge it either. I am just NOT impressed with the rocket blower at all. I did the auto-levels test in Photoshop to see all the dust spots. The before and after results using only the rocket blower were virtually the same. My advice is to not buy the more expensive version of this kit that comes with the blower. If your camera doesn't have a built-in sensor shake cleaner, then maybe. But otherwise, save your money (I'm sure I'll get flamed for saying this, but oh well).

Now then, onto this kit. I put 3 drops of the Eclipse solution on one of the swabs, went back and forth across my sensor, and voila! The numerous dust spots are no longer there. The auto-levels PS test shows nothing. I just can't believe how quick and easy it was after reading all the gloom and doom warnings. Kitchens tend to be less dusty than other rooms, so I setup my tripod in the kitchen, pointed my camera down, and did the job. It seems common for people to have to repeat the process, so if that happens to you, don't worry too much. My advice is to just use a good amount of force when swiping to avoid having to repeat the process.

This kit comes with 4 dry swabs but you can use the pec pads as replacements to cover the plastic swab. This kit seems a bit pricey but it does come with quite a bit, and a nice case to boot. I could keep writing about this product and the process, but just know that it's very quick and easy. Mine came from Micro-tools and they include a good color instruction brochure. I give this seller and the product two thumbs up.

The manufacture web site not only has instructions but an instructional video as well. Although it is easy to do, it took me three times to get it completely clean. But it worked!

I have sent the camera to get it professionally clean before, and this kit yields the same results. With this kit, I can clean it whenever I want and get quick turn-around.

I made the mistake of using cannned air to clean my D200 sensor. Instead of a clean sensor, I ended up with a mess. I think the liquid in the can ended up on the sensor, leaving a nasty residue. DON'T DO THAT!!

My local camera shop said that the camera would have to go back to Nikon. I was leaving on vacation in a week and didn't want to leave without my camera. I went to the home page for the Digital Survival Kit and discovered that I could clean the D200 sensor with thier Eclipse solution.

I followed the enclosed instructions and ultimately used 3 swabs to clean the sensor. In between swabs, I photographed a white wall to see the results. It worked as advertised. I am a believer.

Different cameras and sensors use different solutions. Check the manufacturers web site before ordering.

I think anyone who considers cleaning their own sensor probably has read up on all the scary things one can encounter. I bought this kit mainly as a sample to see if it was something I wish to continue to do as camera maintenance. My sensor was very dirty mainly in the upper corners which is of course where the sky would be in most photos. So, you take some shots at the blue sky as a baseline. You apply the liquid to the pad and swipe once over your sensor. I took another set of test images of the sky, realized I had definitely moved the dust, but made huge smears (rather dust globs) with it! So, I repeated the procedure, shot some more tests and found that the sensor was nearly all clean. I left about 3 specks of dust. I am not going to go crazy getting everything off, and I have been fine with the results. So, two swipes was enough to satisfy me.

I would recommend watching the video first that the company provides online. Then my only recommendation to the company would be to provide a cheap plastic or cardboard "sensor" to use for practice first. That is basically what I learned. It is easy enough to do, but it takes a "certain touch" to get it right. Mainly the right amount of pressure and the flow of the direction. I probably could have done the job with one swipe had I been experienced with the feel of it. But certainly don't think you are apt to hurt the sensor unless you are wildly aggressive with the swiping technique.

I bought this little kit mainly to keep all the supplies neatly together, when I run out I will buy more in bulk to refill it. Just makes it handier. If the instructions had been a little more detailed about the feel of the swipe, I would probably have given this product 5 stars. It is way more convenient to do it yourself in a few seconds than to send your camera off and hope to get it back in two weeks.