Is it risky or difficult to wet clean an image sensor?

Question

I've discovered spots on the image sensor of my DSLR camera that cannot be cleaned using a blower bulb, so I would like to know the risk of problems, such as further image deterioration or damage to the sensor or low-pass filter, associated with wet cleaning the image sensor. Just how high (or low) is the risk? Is this a difficult task to perform?

The products I expect to use are as follows:

• Visible Dust Swabs for 1.5-1.6x Sensor - Green Series (12-Pack)
• Visible Dust VDust Plus Formula Solution

In my research, I have also found the following products, for which there is a greater degree of trust because the manufacturer guarantees against sensor damage when used properly:

• Photographic Solutions Sensor Swab Type 2 (12-Pack)
• Photographic Solutions Eclipse Optic Lens Cleaning Solution

Additionally, the reviews are generally positive, so is it worth it?

My biggest concern at this point is further staining or residue from the cleaning process. How likely is this going to affect image quality, and would it be worse compared to the dust or other contaminants?

Answer 1

I do it regularly, I don't regard it as difficult. It's not that risky in the grand scheme of things but it's riskier than it used to be, especially with larger full frame sensors. Before the useless "self cleaning" function was implemented, the low pass filter assembly sat right on the sensor. Now there is an air gap to facilitate vibrating the LPF in order to dislodge dust. This airgap removes support for the glass LPF in the middle allowing it to bend and potentially break under pressure. See this photographers's cautionary tale:

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1032&message=30812646

So if you have a new camera with "self cleaning sensor" be very careful, esp. if it's full frame.

Answer 2

It's both risky and difficult.

Sensor cleaning has come a long way from the DIY solutions used many years ago, but it's still not fool proof. Most the sites that sell such products have ample enough warnings which should be a clear indication of the risks involved.

A licensed camera repair facility can easily clean the sensor for you.

Or you could consider waiting till the problem becomes much more noticeable, and use image processing (clone/healing brushes) to mask out the problem until then.

Answer 3

It's not that risky (apart from as previously mentioned the self cleaning sensors).

However I find it difficult, because it's hard to remove all of the residue from even dedicated cleaners. If you need to do this (and some things like pollen even the best sensor brush will not remove) then just be careful and apply a VERY tiny amount of fluid to clean with (a drop or two). Look when you are done if there is any kind of sheen across the sensor, you can try sample shots of something very flat in color across the whole frame (out of focus white paper with flat lighting) to make sure any residue left is not affecting the image.

I also like the Visible Dust sensor cleaning pads, they are very wide and let you do a wet clean with just a pass or two. They have a sensor cleaning solution that seems to work just fine but you may be able to find cheaper cleaning solutions.

Answer 4

I say: DON'T TOUCH THAT OLP filter! You can clean it a hundred times and don't have any worries, and the 101th time you accidently pick up a piece of grid, and you scratch your filter! That is what happened to me! A 1000€ camera, and a 500€ to fix it! Send it back to the manufacturer! Dust? Blow it off, but leave those swabs and Eclipse alone! (I had oil spots on the sensor, coming from the mirror mechanism.)