Bought a $600 ultrasonic cleaner 2 years ago, still trying to figure out if it was worth it

I finally caved and bought a used Branson 5800 off eBay. It has saved me on a bunch of sticky aperture blades and old shutters, no question. But I think I've spent more time fiddling with the solution mix and figuring out what NOT to put in it than actually cleaning things. Has anyone else found a go-to setting or fluid that just works for most camera parts?

2 comments

2 Comments

mark7311mo ago

That "do I really need to ultrasonic this part" math is where I live now too lol. I used to throw everything in there and just hope for the best, but after wrecking a couple of tiny parts I learned real quick to be picky. Honestly though, the Branson EC solution is the only thing I use now and I dilute it way more than the bottle says, like half strength for most camera stuff. It just works for me with a 3 minute cycle on medium heat, no fancy mixing or constant tinkering. I was skeptical at first too, but once I stopped overthinking it the cleaner became way more useful than a paperweight.

sam_anderson1mo ago

Bought a quart of Branson EC solution about 18 months ago and I swear I've used maybe a cup of it total. Most of my time is spent on "do I really need to ultrasonic this part" math.