Camera Sensor Cleaning Guide: Do’s, Don’ts & Pro Tips (VIDEO)
Let’s pretend for a moment that you own the best gear money can buy and you’ve spent years refining both technical skills and artistic vision. Under these circumstances it’s reasonable to expect a high percentages of portfolio-worthy results.
But hold on for a moment because your hard-earned proficiency will all be for naught if the sensor in your high-end camera is contaminated with image-killing dust spots and dirt. Obviously the same rule applies to consumer-level cameras as well.
The task of cleaning a sensor may appear intimidating to the uninitiated, but instructor Nikita Miroshnikov comes to the rescue with today’s three-minute tutorial that he introduces with a promise: “I’ll show you how to safely clean you camera sensor, common mistakes to avoid, the affordable accessories you need, and a few extra pro tips.”
Nikita begins with an important word to the wise that applies to all maintenance procedures but is particularly important when it comes to the heart of your camera; namely, it’s delicate sensor. Put simply, frequent “maintenance cleaning” isn’t advisable and you should only undertake this task on an as-needed basis.
In fact, Nikita recommends waiting until visible spots or blobs are visible on your images. With this in mind he demonstrates a simple procedure for checking the sensor if you’re uncertain if you should proceed. Mount a lens on the camera and set the aperture to f/22. Then point at a bright wall or sky, manually defocus, and take a shot.
Next, open the image in Lightroom or Photoshop and boost contrast, clarity, dehaze, and texture. Problematic sensor dust will then appear as small, dark, spots and it’s time to clean up your act.
Nikita then explains what not to do before getting to work, and this advice includes avoiding canned air spray, electronic blowers, microfiber cloths, alcohol based lens wipes, or liquid designed for cleaning camera lenses or eyeglasses.
The remainder of the straightforward primer is devoted to what you actually want to know; namely, the appropriate products to use and the safe, simple steps required to get the job done. Then you can quickly tackle your next sensor-cleaning session with confidence.
Don’t forget to check out Nikita’s instructional YouTube channel where you’ll find gear reviews and technical photography tips.
And speaking of sensors, be sure to watch a recent tutorial featuring another accomplished shooter who evaluates the common notion that cameras with larger pixels deliver photographs with greater image quality and dynamic range. It’s a myth buster!
