Cleaning DSLR Chip

Hi All,

I'm wondering what products people use to clean the chip of their DSLR. Mine needs a good cleaning and rather than buying some inferior product, I'd like to know what DSLR owners here recommend as I don't want to scratch the filter in front of the lens when cleaning.

Cheers,

For optics, I use the Astro-Physics cleaning kit. If its good enough for a Starfire...

You can't buy it - but I'll loan you mine if you're keen on going ahead.

Dave

In thne meantime, I used a cotton bud and some lovely clean breath to clean my chip. Worked a treat.

For optics, I use the Astro-Physics cleaning kit. If its good enough for a Starfire...

You can't buy it - but I'll loan you mine if you're keen on going ahead.

I've a few windows on the conservatory that need a good cleaning. Mind bringing it along next time you're over??

At 50 quid for a few mils, I'll be an expensive window cleaner...

Actually, AP recommend using spit to remove stubborn deposits...

At 50 quid for a few mils, I'll be an expensive window cleaner...

Actually, AP recommend using spit to remove stubborn deposits...

I hope that's on the window and not on the sensor. So far I've avoided touching the sensor, a friend wrecked his camera by scratching the sensor.

Canned air can leave deposits.
Cotton swabs will leave cotton and can scratch by dragging dust across the interference filter.
There are micro-squeegee type devices made specifically for digital SLR cleaning but I don't have one and I want to avoid the risk of using these as long as possible.

Most camera manufacturers recommend having it cleaned by a professional, e.g. the camera manufacturer but I don't know anyone here who does it and I haven't had enough good luck with An Post to want to send it to Pentax.

So, I've been using a bellows pump, something like what you'd use to blow up a child's toy. You have to be careful with these too because most of these pumps contain oil (mine was an ultra cheapy, just a corrugated plastic cylinder with a hose, no oil!) Try to place the pump such that it doesn't suck suck up dust from your floor. I plan to eventually attach part of a hepa filter to the intake of this pump.

I blew it at a 45 degree angle, not directly at the sensor, hoping the turbulence would remove more dust than it installs.

Spit can leave deposits