Z6ii Sensor Cleaning

[mike_halliwell]

Whilst photographing the partial lunar eclipse this morning, I spotted (!) my Z6ii is showing spots. 

They are immune to in-body sensor cleaning and a puffer brush.

Time to wet clean I think.

Anyone had to do this yet and anything special to know?

ps. The other 'steaks' are high altitude cloud.

Edited October 25, 2022 by mike_halliwell

[Rob Davies]

My Z6 hasn't needed any more than a blower brush for 2 and a half years of use.

Let us know what product you eventually choose for the wet clean, should be an easier job than on a DSLR.

[brian_niemi1]

I have cleaned the sensor on my Z 7ii using sensor swabs and cleaning fluid.  It is relatively simple procedure.  However, on my first attempt I put too much fluid on the swab which left streaks on the sensor, so I had to clean it a second time.  The spots were removed, and I was pleased with the results...

Here is a video I found informative.  It also shows you how to check if there are any spots on your sensor.

Good luck.

 

[mike_halliwell]

I was always 'happy' to wet clean my D500 and D850, but the sensor was at the bottom of quite a deep well.

I just wondered whether there was anything different about the mirrorless sensors, considering the much shorter flange distance should make it easier!

[brian_niemi1]

The sensor of a mirrorless camera is not as deep inside the camera body as it is in a DSLR body so it is more easily accessible.  With a swab that is the same width as the sensor it only takes one swipe in each direction to clean it.

[mike_halliwell]

51 minutes ago, brian_niemi1 said:

so it is more easily accessible

That's what I'm hoping! I was always like trying to do something delicate down a deep well, in the dark....😱

[q.g._de_bakker]

The sensor is covered with glass that is as delicate as the glass of a front or rear lens. There's no need to worry too much about cleaning it. Though you must make sure that you indeed take dust off, and not just smear it, and the cleaning fluid, around.

 

[Dieter Schaefer]

I never had to wet-clean a sensor in any of my cameras - though I was close at times. I used the sensor-appropriate (!) dust-sticking bar (like this one: https://smile.amazon.com/Eyelead-Sensor-Cleaning-Leica-Cameras) with some success but most recently have resorted to the Lenspen Sensorklear (https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B001QUIEIS). Both are a bit tedious to use but at least I don't have to deal with a liquid and possibly streaking.

 

Edited October 28, 2022 by Dieter Schaefer

[robert_bouknight1]

Thanks for the posts. Will now clean myself should the need arise.

I have been hesitant to do this since I don't want to damage a sensor.

Fortunately, I have no seen a need in a long time since D1x and maybe a D3 that I wound up selling.