Sensor cleaning recommendations

[kenny]

Sensor in my Nikon D7000 needs to be cleaned. There are dust spots and I think possible oil. I was researching the different brands. What do people recommend? I was looking at the eclipse and visibledust but then read an article on the sensor gel stick?

Any better then the others?

 

[Groucho]

Do you have a Rocket Blower?

If not, get one of those first. Between that and the camera's built-in sensor cleaning (I assume yours has that), I haven't had to wet-clean a sensor in probably 6-7 years.

Once it's clean, do your best to keep it that way - point the camera down when changing lenses, and do the change as quickly as possible - you should be able to have the inside of the camera open for only a second or two once you get good at it.

 

[justinlauck]

I used eclipse swabs years ago on my d70. They did a great job. I never had to use one on my D300 or D800. I have a box of them for the D800, but have never needed one. The rocket blower does a pretty good job as long as you take normal precautions when changing lenses.