The cleaning product I want to review and show you how to use here is the one that solves the most annoying problem in digital photography: sensor dust. To combat dust effectively, I use the Sensor Brush system by Visible Dust.

Sensor dust, or as I call it, CCD poop, can create dark blobs on your final image. This is different from mirror dust, which only shows up when you look through the viewfinder, but not on the final image. Sensor dust comes from debris blowing in when we expose our sensor. It can come in when we change lenses, or even as we clean the sensor, and it lands on the sensor. But Sensor Brush gets rid of dust using electrically charged brush bristles. You simply place the brush in a provided spinning device to clean off any debris and charge the bristles. Then, all it takes is one pass of the brush over the sensor to attract the dust away from the sensor and clean it off. Spin the brush to clean it, and put it away. Each brush set comes with two sizes. The spinning devices takes an AAA battery.

Of all the tools I've used, Visible Dust is the most effective. It really only takes one wipe, and the dust is off. I have no need for any other brushes or methods on the sensor. Sensor Brush does it all. Plus, it's safe and dry! If there happens to be a speck of dirt the brush won't pick up, I use the Visible Dust swab with their secret cleaning formula according to directions, and the problem is solved. You want to get rid of sensor poop? I strongly suggest giving the Visible Dust system a try. It's worth the money.

I mentioned mirror dust before. Well, I use Sensor Brush on the mirror as well as the sensor. But for the walls of the mirror box, I use the Visible Dust swab and liquid solution. Did it once, worked wonders. Haven't had to clean again for almost two months, whatever that means. But it works and again it's worth the money. If you have problems with dirt on your mirror or sensor, as all digital photographers do, Visible Dust will take care of them. The investment is worth the quality of the product and the results it gives. You no longer have to rely on 'experts' or your camera manufacturer to do potentially expensive cleaning jobs.
Using the Visible Dust system is simple. Be sure to buy the brush size that matches the size of your sensor. Visible Dust's web provides that information. The first rule is never touch the brush bristles with anything, especially your fingers! If you contaminate the brush with dirt or oil, then what good will it be for cleaning your sensor? Keep it in the case that it comes with, or else find a clean and new toothbrush case and put it in there.

Place the butt end of the brush in the spinner. You want to make sure the brush spins smoothly and quickly around a center of gravity. If it's wobbly, it won't work. Wobbly spinning may be an indication that the battery is running out of juice. Or, you may just need to adjust how the brush is seated in the spinner. Spin it for a good 10 seconds, maybe 15.

Then, expose your camera's sensor according to instructions. For the Nikon D200, set the camera on the mirror-up or cleaning mode. For the D100, you'll need to set the camera to bulb and hold your finger on the shutter button to keep the sensor exposed while you clean it. Whatever you do, make sure the shutter never closes while you're in there--mega nasty and expensive repair job, and warranty won't cover it.

With the sensor exposed, take your brush and wipe it once across the sensor, making sure the bristles are spread across the entire sensor. You only need to wipe once. Then get out, let the shutter close, and cover the camera back up. That's it! Spin the brush once more to throw any dirt particles off of it, then store it safely again.

If you now see blobs when you look through the viewfinder, remember those are on the mirror and not the sensor. To clean those, you need the Visible Dust Chamber Clean, and that's another article for another time. I just wanted you to get to know the best little sensor cleaning solution on the market. Dust in the viewfinder is annoying, but it won't affect images. I hope you enjoy poop-free images with the Visible Dust Sensor Brush!

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