Taking Care of Your Glass: How to Clean Lenses Like a Pro (and Protect Them From Fungus) You Might Also LikeWe tested these sensor cleaning products by cleaning the dirty sensors in a number of Canon DSLRs.We took before and after shots of a plain white wall at a narrow depth of field to show up the dirt and check the effectiveness of the test units. We also awarded marks for ease of use and the speed at which each device enabled a sensor to be cleaned. Buying GuideBest Canon cameras 2012 Before we see how these camera sensor cleaning products fared, here are some general cleaning tips:Now let's look at the options for cleaning your camera's sensor, with the products in price order.If there's just one speck of dust or a hair that's spoiling your images, you don't really want to go to the bother of cleaning the whole surface of your sensor, and the Kinetronics Speckgrabber is the ideal tool for removing such stubborn spots.The soft, washable pad at the end of the Speckgrabber has an adhesive surface so it can be dabbed onto a particle of dirt to pick it up and remove it from your camera.

It's very quick and easy to use - provided you can see the dirt you want to remove. However, for a more thorough clean you'll need to look at one of the other solutions available.These Photographic Solutions Sensor Swabs come in a variety of sizes to suit different sensors, with 17mm swabs being ideal for Canon APS-C format DSLRs. mini auto car fresh air purifierThe lint-free microfibre fabric is bonded to the swab handle, so it can't slip off during cleaning, and the flexible blade makes it easy to apply the correct pressure.how to clean panasonic air purifierEach swab in the pack of 10 is sealed in foil to avoid contamination. china air purifier salesJust add a drop or two of Eclipse cleaning solution and you're good to go.

A blower is also included in the kit.This kit includes a wand with a silicone pad and six strips of cleaning adhesive. Before use, the silicone pad is pressed onto a freshly peeled adhesive strip. The pad is then pressed onto the sensor and removed to lift off any loose dirt. Repeated presses at each corner are required to clean the whole sensor surface.The idea of using adhesive may be alarming, but Dust-Aid Platinum is very effective, and provided it isn't twisted on the sensor, it doesn't leave a residue. £28/$40 (vacuum) + £10/$5.85 (compressed air)Rather than blowing loose dust and fibres around the sensor and mirror box, Green Clean's Mini Vacuum system sucks them out of the camera. The vacuum power is supplied by a can of compressed air - it's the kind that you use to blast dust off the outside of your camera, but when fitted to the Mini Vacuum it produces suction.The vacuum's plastic hose is around 30cm long, so it can reach into the recesses of most camera bodies to remove loose particles of dirt.

Thanks to its LED illumination and 6x magnification, the loupe in this kit enables you to have a clear view of the sensor, and a gap in its collar means you can use it in conjunction with the included Hurricane Blower or SensorKlear II pen to remove dust and debris at the same time.The blower works well for dislodging loose dirt, while the pen is useful for removing more stubborn marks, but both can be a little fiddly to use within the confines of the loupe. Although it takes a battery, the VisibleDust Arctic Butterfly is basically a brush for removing particles from sensors with a small light that makes it easier to see what you're doing. As well as the light, the battery powers a small motor that spins the brush to electrostatically charge its bristles to attract dirt. It's an effective method that works well. However, it's essential to avoid touching the sides of the camera chamber, since this can carry lubricant from the mirror mechanism onto the sensor. It's also important to not touch the brush when replacing its cap.

Store in a Dry Place Avoid lens fungus by always storing your photo equipment in a cool, dry place. If you live in a humid area, then store your equipment in airtight containers with small bags of moisture-absorbing silica gel (those white bags that were packed with your lens when you bought it). You may need to buy some at your local camera shop. Remember to periodically change the silica, as it loses effectiveness as it becomes full of moisture over time. Some types of silica gels packs are re-useable after drying in a low oven. With the camera and lenses packed airtight with moisture-absorbing gel, they should be safe. Remember that it’s important to let your equipment dry out as much as possible prior to sealing it all up. Fungus will grow on your lens in less than a week if you expose it to damp, dark, and warm conditions, so please avoid these at all costs. Keep a Plastic Bag Handy It’s raining outside and you want to take advantage of the all the great reflections, so you venture outside and brave the raindrops.

The first thing to remember – before you step out the door – is to wrap your camera in a Ziploc bag to avoid moisture from getting inside the camera. If you forget to do this, then you must completely and effectively dry your camera and the lens before safely storing them. One last storage caution - avoid storing your camera in leather bags, where fungi can easily grow and eventually harm the camera. If your camera happens to get infected with fungus, you need to act quickly because some fungi secrete acid that will eat away at your lens’ protective coating; the fungi may even etch the glass and ruin the lens. Luckily for us, this type of fungus is rare. There are few mixtures you can make to clear away fungus. A hydrogen peroxide blend with ammonia is a good method, as is a vinegar and water solution to remedy the fungus problem. Make sure you don’t delay, or you’ll need to have the lens professionally dismantled and cleaned, which will be expensive. If the lens has to be re-coated, then you’re looking at another big charge.