Photographic Solutions Sensor Swab Type 3 (12-Pack)
The Photographic Solutions Sensor Swabs are designed for cleaning the imaging sensor (CMOS or CCD) of DSLR Cameras and other delicate or hard to reach optical and imaging surfaces. Clean room manufactured and sealed, these swabs are the ultimate in purity.
Sensor Swab Type 3 is designed to clean the image sensors of the following DSLR Cameras:
Canon EOS 1Ds, EOS 1Ds Mark II, EOS 1Ds Mark lII, EOS 5D
Contax N Digital
Kodak DCS 14n, DCS SLR/c, DCS SLR/n
Leica DMR
Nikon D3, D3X, D700
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 50 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
87%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Easy to use (36)
- Reliable (20)
- Lightweight (14)
- Durable (8)
Cons
- Not functional (4)
- Pricey / poor value (4)
- Pricey (3)
Best Uses
- Everyday (10)
- Portraits (9)
- Landscape photography (8)
- Studio (8)
- Macro photography (7)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Semi-professional (22), Professional (19), Enthusiast (8)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (31)
Most Liked Positive Review
Visible Dust Products are GREAT!
I have been cleaning my sensors since owning a Nikon D70. I have owned the Nikon D200, D2X, D300, and now the D3. I have always had good results with Visible Dust products...Read complete review
I have been cleaning my sensors since owning a Nikon D70. I have owned the Nikon D200, D2X, D300, and now the D3. I have always had good results with Visible Dust products. Yes, sometimes it takes 3-5 pads to get your sensor clean (along with using a brush a few times), but that is still much cheaper than sending off your camera to Nikon (which by the way has come back with the largest dust spot I have ever seen on a sensor?!?!).
I have used other manufacturers' products and I personally haven't had as much luck. One IMPORTANT note! Use the 1.5/1.6 sized swabs on the full framed sensors. I purchased another brand "full frame" swab and it is almost impossible not to touch the sides of the camera. This leaves a lot of junk on the sensor (probably from the fragments of the brush itself). The Visible Dust swabs also look like a fabric (vs. cloth) construction and leaves no traces of "junk".
Also, the Visible Dust solutions are able to work with the new D300/D3 sensors, unlike other manufacturers'... that should say something about the quality to begin with in my opinion.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
Useless for all but the biggest chunks
I've been cleaning my sensors on 10 DSLRS for 7 years now, always using a carefully fitted rubber spatula wrapped with a Pec Pad and with 2 drops of Eclipse. Usually got perfect results ...Read complete review
I've been cleaning my sensors on 10 DSLRS for 7 years now, always using a carefully fitted rubber spatula wrapped with a Pec Pad and with 2 drops of Eclipse. Usually got perfect results with 1 to 3 applications.
Recently I felt rich and tried out the Sensor Swabs, both the Type 2 for my D300 and the Type 3 for my D700. I went through an entire box of a dozen and my D300 is every bit as dirty as when I started. The fabric appears to release as much particulate fiber matter as it claims to remove, and the wrapping of the plastic spatula is sloppy, a far poorer and less precise tool than my trusty old custom-made rubbermaid-based instrument. Halfway through the box of Type 3 Swabs, my D700 looks worse than when I started, and I'm chucking the rest, writing off the loss, and getting me some more Pec Pads.
If all you care about are particles the size of rocks they should work fine for you.
Reviewed by 50 customers
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Displaying reviews 1-20
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Pros
- Durable
- Easy To Use
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Photographic Solutions Sensor Swab Type 3 (12-Pack):
I use them for years and they saved me a lots of money...
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Lightweight
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape Photography
Comments about Photographic Solutions Sensor Swab Type 3 (12-Pack):
This product is dependable and reliable just like B& H Photo.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Photographic Solutions Sensor Swab Type 3 (12-Pack):
Over half the swabs in the 12 pack were not sealed properly. When I went to grab a couple out they totally fell out of their plastic package into the bottom of the box. Can anyone say 'dust contamination'?! I didn't realize this was the case until I had already used 2 out of the pack that were sealed properly. Such a bummer.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
Cons
Best Uses
- Sensor cleaning
Comments about Photographic Solutions Sensor Swab Type 3 (12-Pack):
They do exactly as described, I would happily recommend to anyone with a canon 5D
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Photographic Solutions Sensor Swab Type 3 (12-Pack):
I was disappointed to find that I needed to clean the sensor on our Canon DSLR due to dust accumulation. I did some research and heard great things about the Sensor Swab. I was hesitant about cleaning the sensor myself but Canon did not seem to have timely service options to take our camera out of service. The instructons were simple, though I would suggest checking on the web for other instructions. It does take a steady hand. I fould it took two swabs to adequately clean the sensor. I also used VDust Plus Formula Solution as the cleaning solution. Well woth the cost.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Photographic Solutions Sensor Swab Type 3 (12-Pack):
These are great quick and easy to use.
Cleans your sensor without a lot of down time.
Can dry out quickly and one use makes it expensive.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Reliable
Cons
- Expensive
Best Uses
- Maintenance
Comments about Photographic Solutions Sensor Swab Type 3 (12-Pack):
Of course they work for those comfortable cleaning their own sensor.
I just wish they were sold individually or in 3-packs, and/or if they were just less expensive per swab. At >$30 for a 12-pack it feels comparatively costly for those of us don't have to clean our sensor all that often. These will last me a very long time.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
Cons
Best Uses
- Cleaning
Comments about Photographic Solutions Sensor Swab Type 3 (12-Pack):
It works for cleaning sensor. However, it is a little expensive.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Lightweight
- Reliable
Cons
- One-time use
Best Uses
Comments about Photographic Solutions Sensor Swab Type 3 (12-Pack):
I had heard if you are new to sensor cleaning (which I am) get a Type 2 sensor because its earier to manipulate than a Type-3 swab. I did get the Type-2 swab with the kit I bought that came with the E2. However, after a couple swabs, I didn't see the point. It's really a simple process. If you ever used a squeegee on a window, you're ready for sensor cleaning. As far as the Type-3 being a tight fit: steady hand, watch what you are doing, take your time, and you should have no problem. Overall it's a good product, saves time if you can't make 'em yourself, but you pay for that convenience.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
Cons
Best Uses
- Portraits
Comments about Photographic Solutions Sensor Swab Type 3 (12-Pack):
Non damaging. Easy to use.Just right to fit my sensor. Instructions are clear. It takes a bit of dexterity
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Reliable
Cons
- Too pricey
Best Uses
- Sensor cleaning
Comments about Photographic Solutions Sensor Swab Type 3 (12-Pack):
Needed these swabs for my full sensor camera.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- None
Cons
- Not Functional
- They leave a mess of lint
Best Uses
- Cleaning the toilet
Comments about Photographic Solutions Sensor Swab Type 3 (12-Pack):
I'll be blunt. These swabs leave more lint behind than was on the sensor before cleaning. I'd have been better off using my sock to clean my sensor.
Do NOT buy these things.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Easy To Use
- Gradually effective
- Lightweight
- Reliable
Cons
- Pricey
Best Uses
- Everyday use
- Home
- Landscape Photography
- Portraits
- Studio
- Traveling
Comments about Photographic Solutions Sensor Swab Type 3 (12-Pack):
pretty simple to use. there is a pretty high markup on these and you could almost make your own using the plasitic applicator when you are done. i usually have to go through about three times over the sensor because you can never quite get all the dust. my photography usually is at f22 1/320 sec so i am kind of picky about every spot.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Easy To Use
- Lightweight
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Everyday use
Comments about Photographic Solutions Sensor Swab Type 3 (12-Pack):
These are the besst swabs out there. I have used another less expensive brand that has swabs on both ends.
Would nice if they would also put swabs on both ends of the stick.
There is still no doubt that these are the best I have used. I have to admit though, I aslo bought the cheaper brands and use them first then finish up with these.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
Cons
Best Uses
- Home
- Landscape Photography
- Macro Photography
- Portraits
- Studio
Comments about Photographic Solutions Sensor Swab Type 3 (12-Pack):
These seem to work well. I had a ton of dust on a 5DII and this, along with high quality sensor fluid work well. They a flexible enough that I dont think you could really hurt your sensor with them. I have another brand and the swab doesnt wrap around the plastic like this one and it worries me a bit that a the side can become exposed and scratch somthing. The design of these seems more robust. They are a little pricey for what you get, especially since I generally need a couple before the sensor it totally clean an you only use them for essentially one swipe.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
Cons
- Too expensive
Best Uses
- Sensor cleaning
Comments about Photographic Solutions Sensor Swab Type 3 (12-Pack):
When everything fails, this is the way to clean your sensor.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Safe to use
Cons
- Inefficient
Best Uses
- Everyday use
Comments about Photographic Solutions Sensor Swab Type 3 (12-Pack):
The only reason I'm giving these four stars is because I wish they could make them a bit more efficient. I've cleaned sensors in my D200, D300S and D700 and it ALWAYS takes from five to ten swabs to get most of whatever the junk is off the sensor. The first few tend to move it around and then finally it's either off to the edges far enough not to matter, or close enough to perfectly clean to call it quits. It may be my technique, but I've done it a lot and watched videos and don't think I'm missing anything. Still, it's better than driving across town to drop off the camera (if that's even an option), waiting a day or two, driving back and paying nearly $100 for someone else to do it.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Easy To Use
- Lightweight
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Photographic Solutions Sensor Swab Type 3 (12-Pack):
These swabs are well build. Easy to handle, don't break, do a fantastic job leaving the sensor spotless.
Just follow instructions to add a few drops to one side, swipe the sensor with the wet side, flip it over and swipe again with the dry side. You are done.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Reliable
Cons
- Expencive
Best Uses
- Everyday use
- Home
- Landscape Photography
- Macro Photography
- Portraits
- Studio
- Traveling
Comments about Photographic Solutions Sensor Swab Type 3 (12-Pack):
Just works every time.. and nessesery when you change glass in rugh enviroment sometimes.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Effective
Cons
- Takes Practice
Best Uses
- When required
Comments about Photographic Solutions Sensor Swab Type 3 (12-Pack):
Takes a little practice but is the best way to clean I've found. May have to do multiple times if really dirty.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
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Care & Cleaning
- Price: $20.95
- Add to cart for lower price
What's in the Box
- 12 x Sensor Swab Type 3
- Instruction Sheet
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