Cleaning your sensor is an important (and regular) step. There are two ways of going about it, the official Sony way, and the wet cleaning process.
Here’s the first, the official Sony way:
And here’s the wet cleaning method (Do at your own risk! I’m not responsible if something bad happens. If you’re not sure, then take the sensor for cleaning to a service center):
Notes
Here are the tools I’ve used:
- Giottos Large Rocket Blower (B&H, Amazon)
- For general lens cleaning, I only use Zeiss wipes (B&H, Amazon).
For wet cleaning:
- VisibleDust UltraMXD-Vswab 1.0x – Green Series Sensor Swabs (B&H, Amazon)
- Photographic Solutions Eclipse Optic Cleaning Solution (B&H, Amazon)
FAQs
Q. What about the gel stick?
You’ll find a gel stick online that claims to clean the Sony sensor. First, on research, I’ve found many people complaining it leaves residue on the sensor. Still, I gave the company the benefit of the doubt and emailed them specifically asking them if the gel stick will work on the a7R II and a7S II sensor (these sensors are special and more delicate because they rest on a moving platform for stabilization).
Here’s Nasim’s answer via email:
“Sareesh, I tested it yesterday on a brand new A7R II and had no issues.”
They have also updated their website with this statement:
Sony A7 II, A7R II and A7S II advisory: Please be extremely careful when using the product with the A7 II, A7R II and A7S II cameras. Since the cameras have in-body stabilization, the sensor will move during cleaning. Instead of picking the Sensor Gel Stick straight up, we recommend to detach it gently from the side and be attentive during the process of cleaning, so that the IBIS system does not get moved too much. We have tested the product on the A7 II and A7R II successfully, but one must perform the procedure with extreme care on such moving sensors. If the gel sticks a bit too much, please detach it slowly from the side instead of moving it straight up, as shown in the videos.
I’ve decided not to test the gel stick because the wet cleaning method works well. The gel stick can seriously damage the IBIS system if done incorrectly.
