Blew $95 on a "pro" sensor swab kit and it left more crud than it pulled off
Six months ago I picked up a used DSLR from a guy in Sacramento and the sensor had a few dust spots, so I grabbed one of those $95 swab kits with the fancy pre-mixed fluid. Followed the directions to the letter, one pass per swab, and after 3 tries the corner spots were gone but I had streaks across the whole frame that showed up at f/11. Took it to a shop on Fulton Ave and the tech there said the fluid was probably old and the swabs were too dry, and he cleaned it proper for $40 in about ten minutes. Turns out a $12 blower and a $20 loupe would have handled the loose dust fine, and I should have left the wet cleaning to someone who does it all day. The kicker is the kit is half used so I can't even return it. Has anyone actually had luck with these swab kits on the first go, or is it just me?