topic Re: EOS RP Lens Cleaner happens too frequently in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

EOS RP Sensor Cleaner happens too frequently

migEOSRP — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 12:30:33 GMT

I purchased an EOS RP camera recently. The settings have the sensor cleaner enabled on shutdown. I don't use the camera specifically with a lens, but use both a t-ring adapter for the R mount and also the Canon EF-EOS R adapter to connect to a spotting scope. Quite frequently the sensor cleaning initiates spontaneously, usually when the body of the RP is shaking a bit or unsteady (as in adjusting the focus while on a tripod). Is this normal behaviour? Should I disable that setting and just clean it manually when I shut it down?

Re: EOS RP Lens Cleaner happens too frequently

jrhoffman75 — Wed, 23 Apr 2025 20:30:22 GMT

@migEOSRP wrote:

I purchased an EOS RP camera recently. The settings have the sensor cleaner enabled on shutdown. I don't use the camera specifically with a lens, but use both a t-ring adapter for the R mount and also the Canon EF-EOS R adapter to connect to a spotting scope. Quite frequently the sensor cleaning initiates spontaneously, usually when the body of the RP is shaking a bit or unsteady (as in adjusting the focus while on a tripod). Is this normal behaviour? Should I disable that setting and just clean it manually when I shut it down?

Does the camera state it is actuating sensor cleaning or is it maybe actuating image stabilization since you say you are moving the camera.

Re: EOS RP Lens Cleaner happens too frequently

shadowsports — Wed, 23 Apr 2025 20:34:28 GMT

Greetings,

If sensor cleaning is enabled at power off, it should not be happening during normal use "spontaneously". It should only occur at a power off event. None of my cameras clean the sensor randomly at will.

I wonder if this has something to do with an adapter you may get be using?

Re: EOS RP Lens Cleaner happens too frequently

migEOSRP — Wed, 23 Apr 2025 20:38:58 GMT

I think its the animation for sensor cleaning and makes the same sound. Does the image stabilization sound the same?

Re: EOS RP Lens Cleaner happens too frequently

shadowsports — Wed, 23 Apr 2025 20:48:18 GMT

Greetings,

The RP does not have IBIS so the only IS noise would be from a lens. The sensor cleaning sound is a very faint electronic sound. It has to be "pin drop" quiet to hear it and most of the time you won't. The LCD does however say "cleaning sensor" so if you're not seeing that on the LCD then sensor cleaning is not happening.

I think you should retest and confirm exactly what it is you're seeing or hearing, then report back. 🤔

Re: EOS RP Lens Cleaner happens too frequently

jrhoffman75 — Wed, 23 Apr 2025 20:49:47 GMT

@migEOSRP wrote:

I think its the animation for sensor cleaning and makes the same sound. Does the image stabilization sound the same?

I'm not sure but I would suspect IS doesn’t make a sound. Rick knows the R series cameras.

Re: EOS RP Lens Cleaner happens too frequently

migEOSRP — Wed, 23 Apr 2025 20:52:28 GMT

I've used two different adapters and they both do this.

Re: EOS RP Lens Cleaner happens too frequently

migEOSRP — Wed, 23 Apr 2025 21:00:39 GMT

Yes thanks I will carefully observe when this happens.

Re: EOS RP Lens Cleaner happens too frequently

migEOSRP — Wed, 23 Apr 2025 21:44:36 GMT

I just tried this and I'm certain its the sensor cleaner. The two shots of the LCD display show the display and with some jiggling the tripod, the sensor-cleaning animation in lower right side of the display started for a few seconds and then the display blanks and I can definitely hear the faint cleaner noise (faint, but I'm very familiar with it by now). The display stays blank after the animation but returns if I press the arrow (play/shoot) button. The behaviour seems to be fairly random ... if I shake the setup, it doesn't immediately initiate the cleaning. As I said above, I've tried different adapters and the problem is always there.

Re: EOS RP Lens Cleaner happens too frequently

shadowsports — Wed, 23 Apr 2025 22:47:45 GMT

@John,

You are as knowledgeable as I and more in many cases. 🙏

@migEOSRP. Yes, that is definitely the sensor cleaning icon. Can you give us the history on this camera? Did you purchase it new.

I'm not seeing a Canon brand EF to EOS R adapter?? I see a T mount and a spotting scope. I suspect this might be what's causing the problem.

With the camera mounted on the tripod, remove the scope and adapter. Mount a standard RF lens on the camera and perform the "shake" test again. What is the result?

If you don't have an RF lens, you will need to test with an EF lens and Canon brand EF to EOS R adapter. If this works, your camera is fine and the 3rd party adapter you're using is the culprit.

If I'm somehow missing something in your setup, please let us know? I'm just going by what I see in your image.

Re: EOS RP Lens Cleaner happens too frequently

migEOSRP — Wed, 23 Apr 2025 23:55:52 GMT

I think I mentioned that I had the same result with a Canon EOS R to EF adapter connected to a t-ring for EF and then to a SVBONY adapter to a spotting scope. Sorry, I didn't include that picture so here it is.

I'll do more tests ... and then will see if a factory reset does anything.

Re: EOS RP Sensor Cleaner happens too frequently

migEOSRP — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 14:03:17 GMT

Yes I purchased this new a few weeks ago.

I tried (1) the Canon EFS to R adapter and t-ring and (2) the EFS to R adapter alone with cap on it, in both cases attached to the RP. After a fair amount of trying I couldn't get a random sensor-cleaning trigger. But when I connect the entire assembly to the scope body I get occasional random sensor-trigger triggers. I disabled the sensor cleaner and it doesn't appear to happen.

Also I noticed that the sensor-cleaner, if triggered manually in Menu does extra things like exercising the shutter 3 times. Is that by design?

Re: EOS RP Sensor Cleaner happens too frequently

migEOSRP — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 14:36:36 GMT

Firmware version is 1.6.2

I use the RP in manual mode and settings are as below.

Re: EOS RP Sensor Cleaner happens too frequently

p4pictures — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 18:06:04 GMT

Given your latest tests then it sounds like some issue related to the mounts for the scope, and not a camera fault. I have myself used a scope on an EOS R6 some time ago, and did not see any random power down issues or sensor cleaning happen.

The manually initiated sensor clean additionally moves the shutter curtains as part of the cleaning cycle.