CLEANING MANUAL
Contents
1. CLEANING MANUAL July 27 2007 Rev 1 0 Congratulations on your purchase of the renowned VisibleDust sensor cleaning technology This manual is our comprehensive guide to assist you in both wet and dry cleaning techniques We have prepared a simple step by step process and Frequently Asked Questions section for your convenience You will also find topics on cleaning theory how your camera becomes dirty cleaning with alcohol and other important topics We want you to be prepared for Two particles hugging the fibers of the Sensor Brush flaments every challenge and with the information outlined within this guide you will be capable of identifying and treating various contaminations Products this guide covers e Arctic Butterfly 724 e Arctic Butterfly SL700 e Arctic Butterfly SD800 e Sensor Brush e Sensor Loupe e VisibleDusts Swabs e Sensor Clean e VDust Plus e Smear Away WHY CLEAN MY SENSOR Dust in images just comes included in the package when you became a digital photographer They re the variable in the equation that turns a photoshoot into work A clean sensor can make the difference between a picture and a great photograph Cleaning a dirty sensor is considered taboo for many photographers Although new digital cameras are now coming equipped with anti dust technology to help ease the pain like a computer virus dust still manages to slip by potentially ruining your images With V2. Methanol and alcohol based solutions are restricted for airplane travel Generally water based solutions are recommended for anti static and anti fogging coatings Alcohol based is for oil removal FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS DRY Q How safe is the Arctic Butterfly on my sensor A Very safe The brush head fibers are soft enough not to scratch the sensor and will not dissipate their positive charge onto the sensor When used incorrectly or for purposes other than the original intent damage may occur Q How does the Arctic Butterfly clean my sensor A The permanently charged fibers attract dry dust particles that come near them Q How do an Arctic Butterfly and Nylon brush differ A VisibleDust incorporates SCF Super Charged Fiber technology to attract dry dust Our bristles undergo a patent pending procedure to become ionized and permanently charged Nylon brushes are not suitable for removing dust and therefore not recommended Only VisibleDusts patented Sensor Brush technology is qualified to remove dry dust through enhanced SCF electric attraction Q Is the Arctic Butterfly all need to clean my sensor A 95 of the time you will require an Arctic Butterfly for removing dry dust Minor stains smears and oils require wet cleaning to be removed Look to VisibleDusts travel safe wet cleaning solutions for stubborn dust stains smears and oils Q How do I clean my brush head if it becomes contaminated A P
3. cleaning is generally the most common method used Dry cleaning involves using no liquids or swabs from VisibleDust Only VisibleDust s Sensor Brush or Arctic Butterfly products should be used for dry cleaning The filaments of both our Sensor Brush and Arctic Butterfly are equipped with SCF technology enabling them to safely and effectively remove dust and clean your sensor Contaminations that either the Arctic Butterfly or Sensor Brush will remove include loose and free particles As seen in the image the surface of a sensor is home to deep pits and grooves Since dust can easily attach itself into these crevasses a physical force is required to kick the dust free Once free the particles are attracted to the filaments of the Arctic Butterfly or Sensor Brush The objective of dry asa a acne en cleaning is either a to remove physical particles from the sensor surface or b to remove all potential scratching hazards preventing them from collecting along a swab edge Your sensor would now be prepped and ready for a wet cleaning er a 1G m lt s2 000 13 WET cleaning is for stains smears and stubborn dust Without magnification distinguishing the difference between a stain and speck of dust is difficult Always dry clean before you wet clean You wouldn t want any loose particles to get dragged from one end to the other potentially scratching your sensor Stains or smear on the surface of a se
4. Loupe offers the brightest most compact and biggest magnification on the market This tool is perfect to see what you re up against Sensor Loupe is designed to be very easy to use Simply activate the BriteVue lights and inspect either your sensor chamber focusing screen or mirror Every photographer has their own personal preference to position and distance you will determine which style suits you best THE f 22 TEST is recommended for cleaning centers as it allows for before and after comparison photographs Set your digital SLR cameras f stop to 22 and disable automatic focusing To avoid vignetting use a 35mm or longer lens Do not use a wide angle lens Take a picture of a singular uniform lite backdrop A cloudless sky or white wall work best Examine the images by zooming in on them with your cameras LCD preview screen Should you have access to a personal computer with a valid copy of Adobe Photoshop you can load your image and apply the Autolevels adjustment Image gt Adjustments gt Autolevels For cleaning centers and demos VisibleDust highly recommends the f 22 method for liability purposes Saving a before cleaning and after cleaning photograph is perfect for comparisons PRECLEANING should begin with a thorough inspection of the camera along with taking the f 22 test Checking over all the components before you clean will yield an abundance of information giving you a clearer picture of what mate
5. STREAKS amp SMEARS When wet cleaning it is important to use the appropriate swab or streaks residue may be left behind Generally the contaminations on your sensor range from water to oil based The chart below helps you visualize each product s capabilities for removing contaminates Oil Smear Away Anti Static Coating wv Jr kK Good for removing strong contamination build up Designed to remove heavy oils stains lubricants and smears oo VDust Plus Anti Static Coating Jr Jr eke A good mid range product if you re not sure what is on your sensor Start out with VDust Plus and see whether you need a stronger or lighter remover Sensor Clean Anti Static Coating wv wv w rw A light removal solution Excellent for water based contaminations such Water as condensation saliva or streaks Q Orange DHAP Series Swabs Compatible Q Green Ultra MXD 100 Swabs Compatible CLEANING WITH ALCOHOL VisibleDust recognizes that the current market is flooded with alcohol cleaning solutions To cater to this market we ve developed our Orange DHAP swabs Simply follow our 3 step instructions using a medical grade isopropyl 90 product of your choice Do not use any methanol products on your sensor Alcohol cleans through rapid dehydration and evaporation However the extremely dry surface is prone to scratching easier and attracting dust Alcohol also lacks the ability to dissolve protein based contaminations
6. brush head bristles fray or bend out of shape you may dip the brush head in warm water 50 C or 122 F for 10 seconds to straighten the bristles Do not use hot or boiling water to clean the brush head as this will permanently damage the bristles Do not touch the bristles with your fingers Contamination from oils or liquids will hinder the performance of the Arctic Butterfly Should your brush head become contaminated VisibleDust s Sensor Brush Wash sold separately can clean the fibers of any impurities In the absence of Sensor Brush Wash pure isopropyl alcohol 99 is also an acceptable solvent Do not use methanol Switching Brush Heads Only the Arctic Butterfly models 724 and SD800 Pro have detachable brush heads that are interchangeable To remove those brush heads pull them off at the white adapter base You can then attach either the HDF brush head or the SD800 Pro adapter to mount the 1 6x 1 3x 1 0x or the new Angle 45 brush To prevent loud vibrations wobbling or reduced spin speed be sure to firmly attach the adapter brush head A 6 ooo Nee Pull at the white base Firmly attach brush head WET CLEANING SWABS VISIBLEDUSTS cleaning swabs have been engineered into two product categories The Ultra MXD 100 Green series and the DHAP Fabric Orange series Both swabs have been designed for different purposes and could cause problems if used incorrectly Both series share the same patent pending holes and
7. camera Check your sensor for dust particles with Sensor Loupe sold separately and repeat steps 1 3 if needed a Spin the Arctic Butterfly Charge amp Dislodge outside and away from the camera after EACH brush stroke DRY CLEANING BEST PRACTICES The Arctic Butterfly is a tool for safely removing dust particles from the sensor s surface Some cameras contain oily chambers or sensor chip perimeters avoid contact with your chamber while cleaning your sensor Contaminants on the brush head could affect performance For stains smears smudges camera oils and lubricants look to VisibleDust s travel safe wet cleaning solutions DO e Not activate the Arctic Butterfly while cleaning the sensor Figure 14 a e Not apply excessive pressure while cleaning Figure 14 6 e Not contaminate the bristles with oils liquids or your fingers e Not clean with a contaminated brush head e Not activate the Arctic Butterfly while the protective cap is still attached ALWAYS e stow the Arctic Butterfly in its case with the cap on when not in use e remove the batteries when traveling on an airplane e clean your brush head after every 10 15 uses or as needed e activate the Arctic Butterfly in between cleaning strokes outside the camera ARCTIC BUTTERFLY MAINTENANCE Cleaning You should clean your Arctic Butterfly brush head and cap after every 10 15 uses or as soon as any contamination occurs Should your
8. he beginning of the test even with the physical contact of an Arctic Butterfly and swabs These specs are visible with the naked eye upon examination however a Sensor Loupe inspection shows that there are additional scratches that did not show up in the original f 22 results Materials Used e Arctic Butterfly 724 e Sensor Loupe e VDust Plus e Smear Away e Green 1 6x Ultra MXD 100 Swabs e Magic Cleaner Lens Clean DRY CLEANING STEP 1 REMOVE CAP amp SPIN Remove the protective cap of the Arctic Butterfly model by twisting the cap and pulling it off Turn the Arctic Butterfly on and allow it to spin for 5 10 seconds The bristles should fan out to a flat 180 la 1b a E P era A A a T E r A ae p Sn x STEP 2 CLEAN SENSOR SURFACE Method A Refer to your camera s user manual to properly expose the sensor chip Take caution not to touch the chamber walls while cleaning entering and exiting Gently clean across the sensor surface with one uniform pass allowing dry dust particles to be statically attracted to the bristles 2 1a Method B Small specks and spots of dry dust require only a light dabbing procedure Instead of cleaning end to end lightly tap the bristles on dust specks to remove them STEP 3 CHARGE amp DISLODGE Charge the bristles and dislodge any dry dust particles from the Arctic Butterfly by turning it on OUTSIDE AND AWAY FROM the
9. isibleDust s cleaning system you can enjoy the comfort of knowing your sensor is truly clean to the same quality levels as the manufacturer In our efforts to address the issue of dust VisibleDust has developed leading cutting edge technologies that not only clean and protect your sensor but extend the intervals of required cleanings VisibleDust is prepared to educate and guide you as you grow from this new experience For some VisibleDust s products have a spot in your camera bag others are seeking to find the simple and safe solution Whatever your reasons are for turning to VisibleDust you won t need to look anywhere else HISTORY OF SENSOR BRUSH VISIBLEDUST was founded by Dr F Dehghan After accidentally scratching his sensor Dr Degan sought to use his expertise and knowl edge of biochip technology to develop a safer method for sensor cleaning The result was Sensor a Brush Attracting protein and DNA to the glass like surface of a biochip for attachment requires special preparation of that surface Because dust has many common characteristics E dal with DNA VisibleDust s DSLR sensor cleaning products are able to utilize the same technology Sensor Brush was an instant win with photographers everywhere and propelled VisibleDust into the position of the industry leader VisibleDust s flagship product Sensor Brush has since evolved into the renown Arctic Butterfly models Although Sensor Brush has go
10. lease review the Maintenance section of this manual for proper information Q How many cleanings is the Arctic Butterfly good for A The Arctic Butterfly is good for up to 10 000 cleanings and based on the average cost that is less than 1 per cleaning Q Should the Arctic Butterfly vibrate or buzz while activated A Small vibrations are acceptable however if you re experiencing loud buzzing or if the brush head is wobbling the cause may be a loose brush head rubbing against the casing Attach the brush head firmly enough for the wobbling or vibrations to stop FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS WET Q How safe are VisibleDusts liquid solutions on my sensor A Very safe Our solutions should only be used AFTER you ve dry cleaned your sensor with an Arctic Butterfly Do not apply any solutions directly on to the sensor Q How travel friendly are your liquid solutions A Unlike alcohol and methanol based solutions VisibleDust products are safe This makes them ideal for travelling on an airplane Q How do the Green and Orange swabs differ A The difference between our MXD 100 Green and DHAP Orange swabs is the type of fabric used in assembly The Green swabs are compatible with all of our sensor cleaning solutions so when in doubt purchase and use the green If you prefer to clean with isopropyl alcohol 90 then purchase the Orange swabs Orange swabs also work best with VDust Plus Q Do your water based so
11. ls for any situation Our speciality swabs are designed for scenarios where our regular swabs are not suitable Simply apply the proper amount of solution to the swab and clean the designated area Corner Swabs A Corner Swabs B Apply one drop of solution Gently clean your corners edges or rub off a remote contaminate Focusing Screen Swabs A Focusing Screen Swabs B y N h S E D a a gt ee a gt gt A ia Apply 1 2 drops of Sensor Clean Gently clean the focusing screen in one uniform pass To avoid damage to your focusing screen clean only with Sensor Clean Do not use any alcohol methanol based products to clean your focusing screen WET CLEANING BEST PRACTICES VisibleDusts Wet Cleaning solutions are each tailored to remove different traces of contaminations VisibleDust strongly recommends you dry clean with an Arctic Butterfly or Sensor Brush first to safely remove hard dry dust particles See Cleaning Theory for more details DO e Not clean with a contaminated swab e Not apply solutions to incompatible swabs Not apply an excessive amount of solution to the swab e Not recycle a swab once you ve finished cleaning with it e Not allow a swab to dry out e Not apply an excessive amount of pressure when cleaning ALWAYS e use the appropriate swab with its matching solution e store solutions with their cap on when not in use e use the proper sensor size specific swab to clean
12. lutions evaporate fast A Yes When used in conjunction with the appropriate swabs you won t need to wait long Q Can use your solutions to clean other surfaces A Yes however each of our products is tailored for different scenarios and Visible Dust recommends using each product for its original intent Q Can use just Smear Away for all my wet cleaning A No Smear Away is designed with powerful cleaning agents and should be used for severe stains or smears Q Do your liquids leave any streaks A If too much liquid or the inappropriate swab is used then streaks may occur Some airports may restrict carry on liquids CONTACT This manual is a work in progress and none of the information presented here represents the final version For more information please contact VisibleDust Matt Tycholaz Marketing Coordinator matt visibledust com 780 455 1082 www visibledust com Trevor Reisz trevor reisz calumetphoto com 312 944 2774 ext 2276 www calumet com
13. mini channels This design prevents liquid from collecting at one side of the swab essentially eliminating pooling and streaks This also allows for even saturation on both sides of the swab VisibleDust s swabs also utilize a patent pending folding process Our swabs are folded on the point of contact and hot sealed along the sides This insures that there is always a soft edge on the sensor VisibleDust s swabs are the available for all sensor chip sizes from 1 6x 16mm to medium format 40mm GREEN SWABS are compatible with ALL of VisibleDust s sensor cleaning products When in doubt use the green The tight fabric limits the solution from dispensing onto the sensor The Green series are not compatible with any other solutions ORANGE SWABS are compatible with isopropyl 99 cleaning solution and VDust Plus The fabric is very soft and is subject to shedding easier than the Green series More liquid is dispensed onto the sensor because the fabric is not as dense CHAMBER CLEAN SWABS are compatible with Chamber Clean only Do not use either the Green or Orange series swabs with Chamber Clean WET CLEANING STEP 1 APPLY SOLUTION TO SWAB Remove a swab from its clean room bag carefully Apply cleaning solution to the appropriate swab until semi wet Should your swab dry out add more solution Amount of solution varies for swab sizes Please review the Wet Cleaning Guide Page 21 if you are unclear which liquids and s
14. ne through many stages to become what it is today the core components of being safe effective and economic are still the heart and soul of the system The company has since become the major player in the industry for sensor cleaning Our scientific drive has introduced leading products such as VDust Plus Smear Away and our patent pending swab line up Our system is considered to be the safest most economical and most efficient choice on the market for cleaning your sensor We are proud to put our biochip knowledge to the test by bringing you scientifically proven products VisibleDust always gives you our best solutions from our labs to your camera bag CLEANING THEORY WET amp DRY cleaning techniques exist in various products throughout the industry Ranging from traditional alcohol to VisibleDusts Sensor Brush Visible Dusts research and development have resulted in the industry s only scientifically proven wet and dry cleaning products The focus of this manual will be to provide you with the technique and knowledge required to clean sensors using both methods A full detail for cleaning your camera falls into three steps Inspection Dry Cleaning and Wet Cleaning INSPECTION involves checking over the camera to identify what methods will be used and which areas need to be cleaned VisibleDusts Sensor Loupe is a small portable tool with built in LEDs for a quick assessment for various compo nents of the camera DRY
15. nsor can be composed with a variety of elements Air pollution such as smoke diesel fumes or pollen can combine with the present dust on the sensor resulting in a stain Oils and lubricants from within the camera can mix with the dust and then stick to the surface There are many factors that all contribute to how stains and smears are formed from humidity to air temperature The compsition of a stain will vary from water based to oil based VisibleDust has three wet cleaning solutions that target specific types of contami nants within that range Typically dust will have the appearance of a small spec Spots or specs that do not move by either the physical force of the filaments or a swab edge may be a scratch If you re using the f 22 test to spot contaminants make sure your lens elements on both ends are clean Not all contaminants appearing in the image may be on the sensor itself PRECLEANING INSPECTING for contaminants on your sensor is recommended in using two methods and should always be done prior to cleaning VisibleDusts Sensor Loupe is highly recommended for photographers in the field or for cleaning centers the f 22 test SENSOR LOUPE is a stand alone optical inspection device that magnifies the sensor surface for viewing It s compact mount free design also Sensor Loupe utilizing BriteVue XL Technology allows it to be used for inspecting the chamber focusing screen mirror and lens for contaminants Sensor
16. oticeable are fuzzy and out of Shot taken after the outer lens was cleaned A perfect example demonstrating how focus 90 of the spots are not visible on the sensor contaminations on the lens will show in the test results Shot taken after one pass with an Arctic Butterfly Many spots and specs are removed while Next shot was taken after a single pass with VDust applied to a green swab Some small a select few have appeared Most plausible cause is bristle contact with the chamber walls spots have been removed but nothing drastic Taken after using a second green swab with VDust This time 2 passes with one swab were Results from a single pass with Smear Away Some of the more stubborn specs have been applied Some new specs are visible Mainly contaminants that fell off the chamber walls removed from rubbing Shot taken after a dual pass of Smear Away on one swab Some new spots have showed up Final shot taken after two passes with an Arctic Butterfly Even with physical force the p y p p p y pny remaining specs have not changed composure since the beginning of the test and are classified as scratches This test clearly illustrates the behavior and process of cleaning a camera Through out the test spots were removed with one method while rendering new ones as well It s not uncommon for a swab to rub contaminants off a dirty chamber wall while cleaning The composition of the remaining specs has not changed since t
17. rials and methods you will need to apply Be sure to check over the external body viewfinder chamber mirror focusing screen lens mount LCD screen AEE EEE EE EE E A rear element and outer lens Identify which areas will require a wet or dry cleaning After a quick assessment you will be ready to take the f 22 test Before any cleaning is done take a before shot using the f 22 test Be sure your lens is clean beforehand Dust and oil on your lens can show up in the test results tainting the outcome DRY DUST is the culprit 90 of the time When inspecting with Sensor Loupe check all four corners edges and remote locations for dust When inspecting your f 22 test results dust will have the appearance of small black specs Spots typically have halos around them and sometimes take the appearance of dry dust Scratches will appear as an l immobile line and are immediately noticeable A mirror in desperate need of a wet and dry cleaning Loose particles will be removed during a dry cleaning Remaining spots stains are classified as stubborn dust and require wet cleaning for removal PRECLEANING UNDER THE MICROSCOPE THE FOLLOWING TEST demonstrates how a sensor looks through different stages of cleaning Both wet and dry techniques were utilized to clean the surface All images were taken via a f 22 test and applied with an Autolevels adjustment in Photoshop Taken before any cleaning was applied Many of the spots n
18. wabs are compatible Try not to let the swab touch the adhesive while removing it from the clean bag Should your swab dry out then apply more solution It is not uncommon for a swab to occasionally rub contaminants off the chamber sides while cleaning Should any new dust spots become visible use an Arctic Butterfly for dust removal STEP 2 CLEAN SENSOR SURFACE Refer to your cameras user manual to properly expose the sensor chip Take caution not to touch the chamber walls while entering or exiting Gently clean across the sensor surface with one uniform pass Both sides of the swab may be used to clean Use each side of the swab only once during cleaning Cleaning with a contaminated swab edge can potentially harm the sensor You may be required to add additional cleaning solution to the opposite side It is not uncommon for a swab to occasionally rub contaminants off the chamber sides while cleaning Should any new dust spots become visible use an Arctic Butterfly for dust removal STEP 3 DISCARD SWAB amp INSPECT Swabs should be discarded after use Check your sensor for smears or stains with Sensor Loupe and repeat steps 1 3 if needed For a complete cleaning follow up with an Arctic Butterfly to remove any dry contaminants that may be present Check the sensor surface with Sensor Loupe for any remaining contaminations SPECIALITY SWABS VisibleDust is committed to providing the right too
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