Sensor Swab Type 2 (Box of 12)
by Photographic Solutions, Inc.
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List Price: Our Price: $35.75 You Save: $9.25 (21%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $34.75 (click here) Category: Digital Camera See more product details |
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Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Sensor Swab Type 2 (Box of 12)
Customer Review: Outrageously expensive but incredibly effective
Summary: 5 Stars
After having almost destroyed my D300 sensor by using scotch tape and then a Q-Tip and lens cleaning fluid, I was ready to package my camera and send it off to Nikon USA for an expensive repair. So much for my Nikon D300 aftermarket manual's advice on cleaning sensors. Scotch tape DOES leave sticky residue and Q-Tips (even covered with lens tissue) leave a mess of cotton anf lens fiber. A test picture after the cleaning looked like a snow storm. I gambled $50 on the Sensor Swabs and E2 cleaning fluid.
The Sensor Swab is a 2 cent piece of plastic covered with lens tissue selling for $3/each, but it is exactly the right size for the sensor and leaves NO trace of fiber or streaks on the sensor. Similarly, the E2 cleaning solution leaves no residue on the sensor. With just one swab I was able to completely clean my sensor. There are some very helpful videos on YouTube that will show you exactly how to clean the sensor using the Sensor Swab and E2. I suggest you view it before beginning the process.
In summary, the markup on the Sensor Swab is unconscionable, but in comparison with the cost of sending the camera to Nikon, it was a real bargain and worked very well leaving no dust or other residue. If you have a DSLR you will eventually need to clean the sensor. Prepare yourself and best of luck.
Customer Review: Use with Caution -- The cleaning process left my sensor dirtier than before!
Summary: 1 Stars
I purchased the Sensor Swabs for my Canon 5D (I am posting this review across all sizes of the sensor swab to share the review).
Have a look at the image I posted in the amazon image gallery for this item. I used the swab to remove some dust spots from my sensor. On the left side of the picture, if you look closely you can see that the sensor left a liquid-looking residue all the way down the image, covering fully the leftmost 15% of the sensor/image.
This is *much* worse than the original dust that I had intended to remove. To try and fix the problem, I opened up another sensor swab and tried to re-clean the sensor, to no avail. I ended up having to take my camera to a professional shop and pay $65 to have the sensor professionally cleaned.
Lest you think I did something wrong, I thoroughly reviewed the Sensor Swab website and am certain that I picked out the correct swab for my particular camera -- and then I followed the directions precisely.
So, using the sensor swab to try and save some money ended up costing me two sensor swabs (you know what they cost) plus $65 for the professional cleaning. I would steer clear.
Customer Review: Works well
Summary: 4 Stars
I cleaned the sensor from my CANON EOS 50D with them. If you follow the instructions you should need only one SensorSwab for cleaning the sensor. But this didn't work for me. After all, I needed 5 of this SensorSwabs to clean my sensor. Don't thrown away the used Swabs, I prepared them with new tissues (Lens Cleaning Tissues from Pearstone). It's a little tricky to fold the other tissues around the swabs, but so you can save a lot of money.
The cleaning instructions and how to test the sensor I followed the instructions from [...]
I would recommend to read this website before(!) you try to clean your sensor - it worked for me.
My opinion after all: SensorSwabs are good, I didn't rate them with 5 stars only because of the price.
Customer Review: Expensive but it works!
Summary: 5 Stars
I have been using this swab for my D200, D300 with 1.5x sensor as well as my D3 with full frame sensor. I realized that this is a jack of all trades. The bigger sensor swab (type 3) for d3 just doesn't work (too tight) as well as this....this is one sensor swab that could work with either a full frame sensor or a 1.5x/1.6x sensors....
Update: April 2, 2010
I have since found other sensor cleaners that works just as well and is very economical. You might consider this:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0018KXPEO/ref=cm_cr_mts_prod_img
Check it out!
Customer Review: Where would we be without them?
Summary: 4 Stars
I wish the camera did a better job of protecting itself from dust but it doesn't. And one thing I can't stand is being forced to pay someone for something that shouldn't be happening in the first place.
So I do it myself. If you consider how much one or two of these swabs cost, about $3 each, and what I hear it costs to take the camera in, about $50 or so, these things are worth it. I have had to use them twice this year. And they work!