Sensor Swabs too wide for 10d?

I was a bad boy and changed lenses on my 10d out in the wind on a

beach (never again) and ended up with lots of crud and dust on the

cmos sensor. I read Bob's article and followed the instructions and

wasnt able to get it out wqith a blower bulb. So I went to the

store and got eclipse and sensor swabs. Last night while attempting

to clean the sensor I noticed that the swabs are too wide to use

length wise on the sensor, and I had to do it in two passes in the

short direction. Two questions. 1) Do they come in different

sizes, and my store just doesn't carry them? 2) Is it ok to cut

them with clean sizzors?

 

Thanks,

Brian

Do not, under ANY circumstances cut a pec pad and use it for sensor cleaning. when you cut a pec pad, it is no longer lint free and will drop particles on the sensor filter which will drive you insane.

 

as for easiest sensor cleaning, I just cut a rubber spatula into shape with a wedge shaped end tha tis about 5/8-3/4" wide tip, then carefully wrapped a pec pad around and used tape to secure. You have to make 2 passes sweeping one way once, then slide over and slide the other way. Only make one pass per side of the pad, or you'll spread dirt back over the sensor lens.

They come in different sizes. You want the ones for the Nikon D1/x/h/100/ and Canon D30/D60. I don't think they have got around to marking up the swabs for the 10d yet but they are the same.

IMO, the sensor swabs are a ripoff at $4 each or whatever. You

can make them yourself for a fraction of the cost that actually

work better than the store-bought swabs.

 

Using the method described in an earlier post using a modified

rubber spatula wrapped in Pec Pads and Eclipse fluid, I have a

very easy time cleaning my sensors. First time or two is

nerve-wracking, but it's not rocket science and after a while

there's really nothing to it.

 

Here's a link to an excellent tutorial on this homemade system

(The link is for the first of several pages in the tutorial)

 

http://www.pbase.com/image/15471306

 

Good luck!

The sensor cleaning bottom line, for some...

 

http://www.pbase.com/copperhill/ccd_cleaning