Sensor dust on the M9

[FBA]

The dust man. The dust. I spent about $200 on a sensor cleaning kit but the dust problem keeps getting worse and worse...

I can't find a compelling reason to keep the M9, not when all my best shots at F8-F11 are potmarked with dots....

Maybe I should go back to a sealed camera system like the Ricoh GXR?

Any thoughts bros?

;( Lousy way to start the year......

FARI

 

[kgston]

The dust man. The dust. I spent about $200 on a sensor cleaning kit but the dust problem keeps getting worse and worse...

I can't find a compelling reason to keep the M9, not when all my best shots at F8-F11 are potmarked with dots....

Maybe I should go back to a sealed camera system like the Ricoh GXR?

Any thoughts bros?

;( Lousy way to start the year......

FARI

What you need is a can of compressed air.. set the camera to sensor cleaning and blow the dust off..

 

[FBA]

What you need is a can of compressed air.. set the camera to sensor cleaning and blow the dust off..

Thanks bro. Any good brands to recommend? And how much for a good one?

FARI

 

[nightwolf75]

think challenger sells them. they usually display it at the front counter.

 

[kgston]

Thanks bro. Any good brands to recommend? And how much for a good one?

FARI

Actually I only know of one brand, its called blow off duster, as nightwolf75 pointed out, its on sale at challenger, can be found at the payment counter. Its $18 a can, but can last for a few month's worth of blowing.. haha.. it comes with a straw to help you direct the air, just be careful not to poke your sensor.. and face the camera downwards, so when you blow the dust, they float out of the camera and not back on the sensor again

 

[Achim Reh]

Careful with the Challenger Compressed air. I used it, and one time, some of the liquid propellant agent came out and caused some nasty spots on my sensor.
Now I use a lot of light and a very good magnifier ( to look on the sensor) a normal hand blower, a small brush and some clean room proved cotton swabs .

 

[FBA]

Actually I only know of one brand, its called blow off duster, as nightwolf75 pointed out, its on sale at challenger, can be found at the payment counter. Its $18 a can, but can last for a few month's worth of blowing.. haha.. it comes with a straw to help you direct the air, just be careful not to poke your sensor.. and face the camera downwards, so when you blow the dust, they float out of the camera and not back on the sensor again

Hi bros.

Appreciate all the helpful comments. I saw one brand of air compressor used on DigitalRev TV. Not sure which brand but it claims to prevent the liquid-spillage issue.

As I understand, even using something the compressed air method, it is impossible for the sensor to be 100 percent free of dust particles? Is this true or is it a myth? If it is true, my pixel-peeping days will be probably be numbered...and so will the M9.....;(

FARI

 

[NazgulKing]

Hi bros.

Appreciate all the helpful comments. I saw one brand of air compressor used on DigitalRev TV. Not sure which brand but it claims to prevent the liquid-spillage issue.

As I understand, even using something the compressed air method, it is impossible for the sensor to be 100 percent free of dust particles? Is this true or is it a myth? If it is true, my pixel-peeping days will be probably be numbered...and so will the M9.....;(

FARI

I hate to break it to you, but just about any mirrorless camera has dust issues, to a varying degree. If you go with the sealed Ricoh designs, then you have to put up with the fact that the sensor will get upgraded, but so will the optic too.

 

[nightwolf75]

eh... hate to break your heart... but the GXR M-mount module is not sealed... once you start changing lenses, dust will get in. just live with it, and use the usual cleaning methods.

 

[mazeppa26]

Send to Solms

 

[wongsan]

Bring the M9 to Leica Sngapore at International Building.
They can clean the sensor for you.
It is free for under warranty Digital M. I don't know if they will charge for out of warranty M9.

 

[NazgulKing]

eh... hate to break your heart... but the GXR M-mount module is not sealed... once you start changing lenses, dust will get in. just live with it, and use the usual cleaning methods.

Yeah, only the lens+sensor modules are sealed to an extent. They never claimed weather sealing too.

 

[FBA]

Hi wongsan

I brought it to leica once already. Andrew did a great job with the cleanup. After that he even showed me a few cleaning tips, maybe hinting that i should learn to clean the sensor myself even though the m9 is still under warranty.

Despite my best attempts, the dust is back and now im left wondering whether i shld just leave the m9 at home while i go on vacation. If that happens then it would be ironic since i bought the m9 to document my travels...

I will get the compressed air and do one last clean run. If still poor results, then my trip to lombok will be about 950grams lighter.....

Thanks again to all bros for the advice and words of wisdom.

FARI

 

[FBA]

Nightwolf

Yes i was referring to the sealed ricoh lens+sensor units which i had before selling them off last week. Looking back, i probably should have kept the gxr. Its not a perfect system but at least i didnt experience the dust problems.

FARI

 

[virtualme78]

Its a pity you have sold your GXR away.... i found myself having more fun with GXR + m module than I have on M9.

 

[edutilos-]

What you need is a can of compressed air.. set the camera to sensor cleaning and blow the dust off..

:nono: :nono: :nono:

Sensor Cleaning

Do not use cans of compressed air such as Dust-Off, as they contain liquid propellants that can gunk-up the sensor, which will then require professional cleaning or replacement. Also some of the compressed gas and air blowers are very strong and can blow dirt particles into deep recesses of the camera where they can cause other problems. Also, be very careful of the point of the blower. Don't let it ever touch the sensor plate surface.

 

[edutilos-]

Hi bros.

Appreciate all the helpful comments. I saw one brand of air compressor used on DigitalRev TV. Not sure which brand but it claims to prevent the liquid-spillage issue.

As I understand, even using something the compressed air method, it is impossible for the sensor to be 100 percent free of dust particles? Is this true or is it a myth? If it is true, my pixel-peeping days will be probably be numbered...and so will the M9.....;(

FARI

Use these 2 methods, it will do.

1. Rocket blower: note, do not put it near any liquid or blow a surface that is wet, BEFORE blowing your sensor. Just put it reasonably close (but not touching, give about 3-5 cm distance) to the sensor and give it a thorough blowing. This will get rid of MOST dust except WELDED DUST (dust with moisture).

You can check after, if there are still spots after a few blows, they are likely to be welded dust. Then you will come to...

2. Wet cleaning - sensor swabs + Eclipse sensor cleaning solution. Loads of videos on how to do this all over the web. Please take note not to overdouse the swabs with liquid, too much will just drown the sensor and cause the liquid to seep UNDERNEATH the sensor filter glass, which will be a problem and require some repairs.

If you don't trust yourself, DO NOT do wet cleaning. But it's really very easy, much easier than most people think.

 

[enivre]

I much rather deal with dust spots on a digital file than dust spots from a scan... At least in digital files the dust spots are always in the same place.

I have spent HOURS cleaning dust from scans even after meticulous dusting, cleaning, anti-static brushing before scanning.

For dust on your sensor, I personally use my artic butterfly and blower.

 

[artspraken]

Let me guess, you keep changing lenses out in the field?

I gave up my M9 too, but not because of dust. I never had dust so bad that resulted in potmarks. I never cleaned my sensor in 8 months either.

 

[FBA]

Let me guess, you keep changing lenses out in the field?

I gave up my M9 too, but not because of dust. I never had dust so bad that resulted in potmarks. I never cleaned my sensor in 8 months either.

Hi bro artspraken

I carry only 2 lenses with me at any time -- well I only have 50mm and 28mm. In the field, the most number of times I swap lenses is about 2 times? Not that many.

Is there a technique to minimize dust entry when swapping lenses in field, apart from trying to find a low-dust locale?

FARI