Delkin SensorScope

Delkin Press Release

Delkin’s SensorScope, the Safest and Most Effective System for Cleaning Your Digital SLR Image Sensor.

Delkin Devices, Inc., makers of high quality digital photography products and accessories, today announced the SensorScope™ System, the safest and most effective system for cleaning your digital SLR image sensor. The innovative SensorScope (patent pending) is the first and only sensor inspection device in the market designed for DSLRs. Its use of magnification and focused, high intensity light enables camera owners to inspect their camera’s sensor to see if it needs cleaning. Why risk damaging your camera -don’t clean your sensor if it doesn’t need it! “Because the DSLR sensor is electrically charged, dirt and dust are attracted to it and cannot be easily removed,” explained Eric Richter, Delkin’s Marketing Manager. “Usually you find out after you have taken a picture that your sensor needs cleaning.”

SensorScope enables you to check your sensor to see if it needs cleaning-there’s nothing safer than not cleaning your sensor. The SensorScope looks like a camera lens; however, it allows you to look back into your camera to inspect your sensor. The SensorScope is easily portable and provides a 5x magnification lens and 4 ultra bright LED lights, which are focused to completely illuminate the field of inspection. Although specifically designed for Canon and Nikon DSLRs, the SensorScope may be used on any manufacturer’s DSLR.

“Our main objective is to protect the DSLR sensor while safely and completely cleaning it,” said Richter.

Dirty sensors are a real problem. What you can’t see can affect your pictures. Dirt comes from many sources and it must be removed in a safe and effective way, or your images will show this debris. The SensorScope system, which includes the new DigitalDuster cleaning kit, is the safest and most effective system for cleaning your DSLR sensor. It comes equipped with the SensorVac, SensorWand™ and SensorSolution. Only the SensorScope system addresses all types of contaminants and the proper way to remove them safely.

Four different types of contaminants can show up on your DSLR camera sensor. These vary by their chemical components. The most common types of debris that show up are dry, and look like dust. This “dust” can be made up of one of four materials:

* Silica/Quartz: these hard particles such as rock or sand can easily cause scratches
* Metallic: hard particles such as metal shavings from the manufacturing of the camera
* Fiber: synthetic materials such as nylon
* Organic: pollen, skin cells, and similar material

Tougher spots may be “wet” rather than “dry”. Examples include rain drops, camera lubricant, skin oils, and saliva. Surprisingly, dust and debris can originate from within the camera as well. When a new camera is used for the first time, the internal mechanism movement itself may stir up small pieces of metal, plastic, dust, fabric, and camera lubricant, which are then drawn to the sensor.

The DigitalDuster kit handles all types of dry and wet contaminants. The SensorVac is a battery or USB powered portable vacuum, which uses suction to draw out abrasive particles and dust. No more canned air that just blows debris around! The SensorVac’s tip is made of ultra-fine, non-abrasive and static-free brush filaments. These brush filaments protect against damaging the sensor screen in case of accidental contact.

Actual cleaning contact is done with the unique SensorWand. Each end of the flexible SensorWand has a soft lint-free and non-abrasive fabric head. One end is used first for wet cleaning, and the other for the dry cleanup. This ensures the photographer can complete a cleaning with just one wand, leaving no moisture behind. A novel design feature provides additional protection against over-saturation. Each wand head is wicked with small slots to pull excess liquid away from the wand tip.

SensorSolution is the exclusive chemical cleaning solution included in the DigitalDuster kit for wet cleaning. It is alcohol free and safe for check-in air travel and air shipment. SensorSolution dries quickly without the use of methanol or any other harsh chemicals, and effectively breaks the bond that holds many of the tougher contaminants onto the sensor surface. With two drops of SensorSolution and a few swipes of a SensorWand, dried raindrops, pollen, chamber lubricant, dust, and anything else that finds its way into your sensor chamber can be easily, effectively, and safely wiped away.

Pricing and Availability
Delkin Devices begins shipping the SensorScope System and DigitalDuster kit in early January. More information is available on Delkin’s website: http://www.delkin.com. Three models are available:

DigitalDuster Refill Kit - $49.99 MSRP

* 15 SensorWands
* 1 SensorSolution
* 1 cleaning guide

DigitalDuster Kit - $89.99 MSRP

* 1 SensorVac
* 12 SensorWands
* 1 SensorSolution
* 1 cleaning guide
* 1 DigitalDuster carrying case

SensorScope System - $189.99 MSRP

* 1 SensorScope
* 1 SensorVac
* 12 SensorWands
* 1 SensorSolution
* 1 cleaning guide
* 1 SensorScope carrying case

Delkin Devices, Inc., based in Poway, California, has been providing “Everything but the Camera” since 1986. From Archival Gold Media to Pop-Up Shades, Delkin provides products with premium quality, innovative designs and an ongoing dedication to superior customer service. Delkin Devices and its products have become worldwide industry leaders in both OEM and consumer markets. The company’s eFilm brand of memory cards is a leading choice among professional photographers and others passionate about digital photography. Delkin Devices’ innovative digital photography products are available worldwide through a network of independent camera stores, and online at Delkin Devices’ website: http://www.delkin.com

Published: Thursday, December 21, 2006

Reader Comments

1. I received the Delkin SensorScope System today. Initial impression: Yawn.
   
   
   The "system" comes in its own bulky carrying case. You'd think the people at Delkin would have the common sense to know that for photographers, every inch is valuable. There's a ton of wasted space here. What were they thinking? The case is big enough for a gun, Geez.
   
   Here goes.
   
   
   First, I would NOT let that "vacuum" get anywhere near my sensor, AA filter cover, whatever. At best it's ineffective. At worst it could cause damage. Bottom line: a non-starter. Wasted money and space. Frankly, hitting a good nonabrasive brush with some air offers more potential than this.
   
   But wait! There's the Popeil Pocket Fisherman...oops...I mean the battery pack for the sensor vac with four AA batteries included. Bottom line: more unnecessary cost and wasted space.
   
   There's a couple dozen sensor wands and some sensor cleaner. At some point I may try to use it but dedicated sensor wands are usually ungodly pricey and these appear to be no exception. The Copperhill system and Pec Pads seem to be a better solution. As for solution, I see nothing that this stuff works better than Eclipse and obviously it can't dry faster. Bottom line (so far): I'll stick with the cheaper solution that works.
   
   Finally we have the SensorScope. Wow. It's an illuminated loupe that allows you to see the dust inside the sensor. That's definitely worthwhile and will help you find the gunk you need to get out of there. I've seen a Canon tech use a similar device.
   
   STOP THE PRESSES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Let's get down to the nitty gritty here, folks. Nah, let's just look at the first two steps.
   
   "Step one. Set up your camera to be cleaned. Step two: Use the SensorScope to inspect your sensor. If it isn't dirty, don't clean it!"
   
   Really. The exclamation point is there. But now it's time for a reality check.
   
   
   First, how I know my "sensor" needs cleaning is when I see spots in my images. If I don't, then I don't need to remove a lens and/or lens cap and expose the inside of my camera to dust. In other words, I don't need to use the SensorScope to tell me whether the sensor needs cleaning but where it does. The recommended procedure is another indication that whoever is running things at Delkin doesn't understand much about photography or the needs of photographers.
   
   The Delkin SensorScope retails for $189 and some places like B&H;and Adorama are selling it for $169. That's way, way, way too much. If you pay that much, you're either don't care about wasting money or you're certifiably nuts.
   
   The SensorScope in a convenient pouch would be plausible at $49. The wands and fluid would be quite competitive at $49 (even less). I paid $102 (including shipping) for the entire "system."

   Dick Ginkowski at 04:12pm on Tuesday, March 20, 2007