The Dry Method The dry method of cleaning digital camera sensors is the method in which no wet chemicals are used. The primary advantage to the dry method is the cost saving, this is acomplised by most not requiring consumable. The dry method is also often faster then the wet method. The disadvantage to using this method exclusively is that you won't be able to remove "Welded Dust"* The Following are Common Dry Methods
All manufactures have recommended a "dry method" to clean the sensor of their DSLR's since their invention. This being the hand blower as noted in the owners manual. As a company policy Canon didn't officially recommend using the lens pen, although I personally, received that recommendation along with the foot blower recommendation in 2000. Since then many others have seen Canon Techs at pro events cleaning sensors with them (after blowing all loose items out). The Supersonic Wave Filter™ was introduced with the Olympus E-1 in 2003. If you don't have an Olympus DSLR you won't have this option. Canon and Nikon have both introduced similar features in their newer cameras. Canon has gone 1 step further Starting with the 50D and 5D Mk II by coating the sensor with a fluorine coating. This coating is to help make the "Integrated Cleaning System " (aka shaker) more efective. It was 2004 before the next major Dry Method was brought forward and that was by Visual Dust Inc. who brought us the Sensor Brush™. Although the Sensor Brush™ is NOT endorsed by any camera manufacturer, many professional photographers have given it their blessing. Since the introduction, there are now 3 more brush options to choose from, D-SLR Brush™, SensorSweep II, and the StaticWISK all at a substantial money savings over the original companies asking price. In 2006, Len Pen introduces a new small triangular shaped version called SensorKLEAR. This new version made it much easier to reach the corners of the Sensor. A few notes of caution here. I do NOT recommend using the Lens Pen/SensorKLEAR on a sensor until AFTER I have used a "Wet Method" first. Since the surface of the Lens Pen is used over and over again on the sensor without any true ability to clean it, I recommend that you replace it often. So what is often? No more than 10 uses and/or as soon as there is any hint that it might be contaminated (which ever comes first). I would be VERY careful before I would use ANY brush on my sensor that hasn't undergone rigorous testing. There are some people out there that will go down to the local five and dime and buy some brushes then try to sell them out of their garage/internet or on eBay for the purpose of cleaning sensors. Since they aren't legitimate businesses, they have nothing to lose when YOU screw up YOUR sensor with their inferior items. |
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*"Welded Dust" is dust that has adhered itself to the sensor by moisture or pollen.