Mini Test

Sensor cleaning can be daunting, but there are plenty of products that’ll make it painless

Is your sensor absolutely filthy? We check out six cleaning kits to make it sparkle

You’d be forgiven for thinking that modern interchangeable lens cameras can keep dust at bay using their integrated sensor cleaning systems. But shoot in dusty environments or change lenses frequently and it’s only a matter of time before your sensor will need to be cleaned manually.

You’ll know when to break out the cleaning products as images of clear blue skies or plain backdrops will begin to feature unwelcome dark spots, especially obvious at narrow apertures. But don’t despair, as with a steady hand and the right cleaning kit you can restore your sensor to its former glory. DSLRS are slightly trickier to clean than mirrorless cameras, as you’ll need to first lock the mirror up to access the sensor, and don’t forget to fully charge your camera’s battery beforehand. Then it’s just a matter of using a squeezy blower, brush, or a sticky pad to remove loose dust, while more stubborn dirt can be dislodged using swabs and cleaning solution.

Of course it helps to have a decent view of what you’re doing, and though a good old head torch and magnifying glass will do the job, a cleaning kit with a dedicated LED magnification loupe will reveal even the smallest speck or stain.