Dust and dirt

Another one of my little observations about my new D1X. I noticed that the mirror on my camera had a smudge (looks like a finger smudge) near the front edge of the mirror, which fortunately is not used anyway as the frame is not full frame. However, knowing the camera had most definately not been opened by the shop, I wonder how it got there.

Also, last night I took a picture of a white piece of card, at F22, to see if there was any dirt on the CCD. Already there are a few minor dark specs. Don't know if I have introduced them so quick or whether they were there from the start. Anyone else check theirs? Looks like it might be as bad as the S1 in terms of difficulty in keeping clean.

I suspect that anything thats been introduced happen in Nikon UK when they upgraded the firmware or it happened in manufacturing.

Interesting to note, and I certainly won't try, but this is the first camera I have seen which actually suggests cleaning the mirror with a lens cloth. I was told this was a definate no no. Have they improved the durability of the mirror nowadays?

Jonathan

Yes I noticed the same thing too on may new D1x on this camera the problem is even worst that on the normal D1.

Infact as the CCD has the same size but duble resolution the same little dirth on CCD apears in the pictures dubble size.

Try to take a picture of a medium gray KODAK under a correct light set and look very carefully at the image you got.
Let me know if you see something strange.
Open the image in photoshop and then applay AUTOCONTRAST and see what happens!!!

Lorenzo Ceva

Jonathan Statt said:

Another one of my little observations about my new D1X. I noticed
that the mirror on my camera had a smudge (looks like a finger
smudge) near the front edge of the mirror, which fortunately is not
used anyway as the frame is not full frame. However, knowing the
camera had most definately not been opened by the shop, I wonder
how it got there.

Also, last night I took a picture of a white piece of card, at F22,
to see if there was any dirt on the CCD. Already there are a few
minor dark specs. Don't know if I have introduced them so quick or
whether they were there from the start. Anyone else check theirs?
Looks like it might be as bad as the S1 in terms of difficulty in
keeping clean.

I suspect that anything thats been introduced happen in Nikon UK
when they upgraded the firmware or it happened in manufacturing.

Interesting to note, and I certainly won't try, but this is the
first camera I have seen which actually suggests cleaning the
mirror with a lens cloth. I was told this was a definate no no.
Have they improved the durability of the mirror nowadays?

Jonathan

Click to expand...

Hi Guys,

yes, for me too, dust (control) is a definite issue with the D1x...

I used the D1 for several months without getting any dust on the CCD - just through careful lens changing technique, however with the D1x I already have a problem...

Graham Whistler recommend using a vacuum cleaner with a large wine cork converter to narrow gauge flexible rubber hose. I haven't gone for this method yet, as it seems that trying to suck dirt off the ccd would have two drawbacks :

1) risk of the rubber pipe sucking on to the CCD momentarily - any physical contact with the CCD has to be bad news...

2) sucking air out of the camera (next to the CCD) would cause a vacuum inside the camera compartment - to be replaced by the dusty atmosphere outside the camera... also bad news...

So I had a go with clean air from a can - something I hate to do because I managed to spray propellant onto my old D1 ccd. (Nikon return for swab clean needed)

I did not shake the can (which was about 75% full), selected a 30 second manual exposure and removed the lens :

First I sprayed air away from the camera onto my hand to make sure there was no sign of propellant - then I sprayed air at & around the mirror - then I fired the shutter release & sprayed around the CCD.

Replacing the lens & taking a shot of blue sky showed a couple of spots left - what to do? have another go risking propellant contamination or accept one or two spots.

I made the wrong decision & decided to have another go with the canned air... result : more spots (are these dust or propellant spots?)

I would welcome any advice on successful cleaning techniques...

Cheers

Bri

Hello Bri,

Never use a spray propellent but you have now learned that. They make miniture battery operated vacuum cleaners designed spacifically for cleaning computer key boards and the insides of cameras etc.

I saw them listed in a computer dristributers catalogue a while ago and in camera magazines so hunt them down. I am now going to have to do just that myself.

Perhaps someone else out there can come up with just where to get these miniture camera/computer vacuum cleaners. They are just what we need to keep the dust in check.

Stephen

Brian Mosley said:

Hi Guys,

yes, for me too, dust (control) is a definite issue with the D1x...

I used the D1 for several months without getting any dust on the
CCD - just through careful lens changing technique, however with
the D1x I already have a problem...

Graham Whistler recommend using a vacuum cleaner with a large wine
cork converter to narrow gauge flexible rubber hose. I haven't gone
for this method yet, as it seems that trying to suck dirt off the
ccd would have two drawbacks :

1) risk of the rubber pipe sucking on to the CCD momentarily - any
physical contact with the CCD has to be bad news...

2) sucking air out of the camera (next to the CCD) would cause a
vacuum inside the camera compartment - to be replaced by the dusty
atmosphere outside the camera... also bad news...

So I had a go with clean air from a can - something I hate to do
because I managed to spray propellant onto my old D1 ccd. (Nikon
return for swab clean needed)

I did not shake the can (which was about 75% full), selected a 30
second manual exposure and removed the lens :

First I sprayed air away from the camera onto my hand to make sure
there was no sign of propellant - then I sprayed air at & around
the mirror - then I fired the shutter release & sprayed around the
CCD.

Replacing the lens & taking a shot of blue sky showed a couple of
spots left - what to do? have another go risking propellant
contamination or accept one or two spots.

I made the wrong decision & decided to have another go with the
canned air... result : more spots (are these dust or propellant
spots?)

I would welcome any advice on successful cleaning techniques...

Cheers

Bri

Click to expand...

Belkin makes a small vacuum that might do the trick. Here the link:

http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Merchant_Id=1&Product_Id=107007

Stephen Livick said:

Never use a spray propellent but you have now learned that. They
make miniture battery operated vacuum cleaners designed
spacifically for cleaning computer key boards and the insides of
cameras etc.

I saw them listed in a computer dristributers catalogue a while
ago and in camera magazines so hunt them down. I am now going to
have to do just that myself.

Perhaps someone else out there can come up with just where to get
these miniture camera/computer vacuum cleaners. They are just what
we need to keep the dust in check.

Stephen

Brian Mosley said:

Hi Guys,

yes, for me too, dust (control) is a definite issue with the D1x...

I used the D1 for several months without getting any dust on the
CCD - just through careful lens changing technique, however with
the D1x I already have a problem...

Graham Whistler recommend using a vacuum cleaner with a large wine
cork converter to narrow gauge flexible rubber hose. I haven't gone
for this method yet, as it seems that trying to suck dirt off the
ccd would have two drawbacks :

1) risk of the rubber pipe sucking on to the CCD momentarily - any
physical contact with the CCD has to be bad news...

2) sucking air out of the camera (next to the CCD) would cause a
vacuum inside the camera compartment - to be replaced by the dusty
atmosphere outside the camera... also bad news...

So I had a go with clean air from a can - something I hate to do
because I managed to spray propellant onto my old D1 ccd. (Nikon
return for swab clean needed)

I did not shake the can (which was about 75% full), selected a 30
second manual exposure and removed the lens :

First I sprayed air away from the camera onto my hand to make sure
there was no sign of propellant - then I sprayed air at & around
the mirror - then I fired the shutter release & sprayed around the
CCD.

Replacing the lens & taking a shot of blue sky showed a couple of
spots left - what to do? have another go risking propellant
contamination or accept one or two spots.

I made the wrong decision & decided to have another go with the
canned air... result : more spots (are these dust or propellant
spots?)

I would welcome any advice on successful cleaning techniques...

Cheers

Bri

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Is everyone happy that using a mini-vacuum cleaner isn't just going to suck clean(ish) air out of the camera to be replaced by dusty air surrounding the camera?

Bri

Steve in CT said:

http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Merchant_Id=1&Product_Id=107007

Stephen Livick said:

Never use a spray propellent but you have now learned that. They
make miniture battery operated vacuum cleaners designed
spacifically for cleaning computer key boards and the insides of
cameras etc.

I saw them listed in a computer dristributers catalogue a while
ago and in camera magazines so hunt them down. I am now going to
have to do just that myself.

Perhaps someone else out there can come up with just where to get
these miniture camera/computer vacuum cleaners. They are just what
we need to keep the dust in check.

Stephen

Brian Mosley said:

Hi Guys,

yes, for me too, dust (control) is a definite issue with the D1x...

I used the D1 for several months without getting any dust on the
CCD - just through careful lens changing technique, however with
the D1x I already have a problem...

Graham Whistler recommend using a vacuum cleaner with a large wine
cork converter to narrow gauge flexible rubber hose. I haven't gone
for this method yet, as it seems that trying to suck dirt off the
ccd would have two drawbacks :

1) risk of the rubber pipe sucking on to the CCD momentarily - any
physical contact with the CCD has to be bad news...

2) sucking air out of the camera (next to the CCD) would cause a
vacuum inside the camera compartment - to be replaced by the dusty
atmosphere outside the camera... also bad news...

So I had a go with clean air from a can - something I hate to do
because I managed to spray propellant onto my old D1 ccd. (Nikon
return for swab clean needed)

I did not shake the can (which was about 75% full), selected a 30
second manual exposure and removed the lens :

First I sprayed air away from the camera onto my hand to make sure
there was no sign of propellant - then I sprayed air at & around
the mirror - then I fired the shutter release & sprayed around the
CCD.

Replacing the lens & taking a shot of blue sky showed a couple of
spots left - what to do? have another go risking propellant
contamination or accept one or two spots.

I made the wrong decision & decided to have another go with the
canned air... result : more spots (are these dust or propellant
spots?)

I would welcome any advice on successful cleaning techniques...

Cheers

Bri

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Stephen,

Thanks for input on the spray. I was almost considering this myself. I guess I knew I would find good info regarding this CCD dust issue here. (Not quite so soon, but hey this is fine)

No dust for me yet, but then I'm the rookie here and don't utilize my camera (as yet) to the extent of you others. A question though for you Stephen or whoever? What about the Kodak swabs? Or whoever's swabs for that matter. I mean if they are recommended by Kodak for their camera, has anyone tried them on a Nikon CCD yet?

Mel

Stephen Livick said:

Never use a spray propellent but you have now learned that. They
make miniture battery operated vacuum cleaners designed
spacifically for cleaning computer key boards and the insides of
cameras etc.

I saw them listed in a computer dristributers catalogue a while
ago and in camera magazines so hunt them down. I am now going to
have to do just that myself.

Perhaps someone else out there can come up with just where to get
these miniture camera/computer vacuum cleaners. They are just what
we need to keep the dust in check.

Stephen

Brian Mosley said:

Hi Guys,

yes, for me too, dust (control) is a definite issue with the D1x...

I used the D1 for several months without getting any dust on the
CCD - just through careful lens changing technique, however with
the D1x I already have a problem...

Graham Whistler recommend using a vacuum cleaner with a large wine
cork converter to narrow gauge flexible rubber hose. I haven't gone
for this method yet, as it seems that trying to suck dirt off the
ccd would have two drawbacks :

1) risk of the rubber pipe sucking on to the CCD momentarily - any
physical contact with the CCD has to be bad news...

2) sucking air out of the camera (next to the CCD) would cause a
vacuum inside the camera compartment - to be replaced by the dusty
atmosphere outside the camera... also bad news...

So I had a go with clean air from a can - something I hate to do
because I managed to spray propellant onto my old D1 ccd. (Nikon
return for swab clean needed)

I did not shake the can (which was about 75% full), selected a 30
second manual exposure and removed the lens :

First I sprayed air away from the camera onto my hand to make sure
there was no sign of propellant - then I sprayed air at & around
the mirror - then I fired the shutter release & sprayed around the
CCD.

Replacing the lens & taking a shot of blue sky showed a couple of
spots left - what to do? have another go risking propellant
contamination or accept one or two spots.

I made the wrong decision & decided to have another go with the
canned air... result : more spots (are these dust or propellant
spots?)

I would welcome any advice on successful cleaning techniques...

Cheers

Bri

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Hi Mel,

I have not heard of anyone using the sensor swabs on the D1 (I seem to remember someone saying the standard ones are too large? maybe need trimming down?)

I believe the best way to deal with dust is to have a very clean source of compressed air to clean out the internal camera compartment & remove dust... but NOT a propellant based air can.

Which leaves a speciealist air compressor - perhaps a paint compressor? BUT it will be necessary to filter the air to a fine enough level to eliminate the possibility of blasting dust at the CCD.

Can anyone suggest a suitable air compressor/system?

Cheers

Bri

Mel said:

Thanks for input on the spray. I was almost considering this
myself. I guess I knew I would find good info regarding this CCD
dust issue here. (Not quite so soon, but hey this is fine)

No dust for me yet, but then I'm the rookie here and don't utilize
my camera (as yet) to the extent of you others. A question though
for you Stephen or whoever? What about the Kodak swabs? Or
whoever's swabs for that matter. I mean if they are recommended by
Kodak for their camera, has anyone tried them on a Nikon CCD yet?

Mel

Stephen Livick said:

Never use a spray propellent but you have now learned that. They
make miniture battery operated vacuum cleaners designed
spacifically for cleaning computer key boards and the insides of
cameras etc.

I saw them listed in a computer dristributers catalogue a while
ago and in camera magazines so hunt them down. I am now going to
have to do just that myself.

Perhaps someone else out there can come up with just where to get
these miniture camera/computer vacuum cleaners. They are just what
we need to keep the dust in check.

Stephen

Brian Mosley said:

Hi Guys,

yes, for me too, dust (control) is a definite issue with the D1x...

I used the D1 for several months without getting any dust on the
CCD - just through careful lens changing technique, however with
the D1x I already have a problem...

Graham Whistler recommend using a vacuum cleaner with a large wine
cork converter to narrow gauge flexible rubber hose. I haven't gone
for this method yet, as it seems that trying to suck dirt off the
ccd would have two drawbacks :

1) risk of the rubber pipe sucking on to the CCD momentarily - any
physical contact with the CCD has to be bad news...

2) sucking air out of the camera (next to the CCD) would cause a
vacuum inside the camera compartment - to be replaced by the dusty
atmosphere outside the camera... also bad news...

So I had a go with clean air from a can - something I hate to do
because I managed to spray propellant onto my old D1 ccd. (Nikon
return for swab clean needed)

I did not shake the can (which was about 75% full), selected a 30
second manual exposure and removed the lens :

First I sprayed air away from the camera onto my hand to make sure
there was no sign of propellant - then I sprayed air at & around
the mirror - then I fired the shutter release & sprayed around the
CCD.

Replacing the lens & taking a shot of blue sky showed a couple of
spots left - what to do? have another go risking propellant
contamination or accept one or two spots.

I made the wrong decision & decided to have another go with the
canned air... result : more spots (are these dust or propellant
spots?)

I would welcome any advice on successful cleaning techniques...

Cheers

Bri

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Hello all

That mini vac mentioned is not the one I know about, the one I have seen has little flexiable attachments which go in the front of it. I think I saw it at a place called Misco a computer distributer. They used to send me catalogues all the time and it was in there. I have also see it in digital camera magazines as well.

I found that vacuuming was the best way to deal with dust when using 8x10 and 4x5 sheet film holders. Blowing just blows dust further into the camera and vacuuming with a mini vacuum removes the dust from the camera.

This mini vac is very small, tiny a micro vacuum and its draw is not a threat in my mind, but to be honest I haven't tested it out. But that its how I am going to do it. It can be easily carried in the camera bag.

Stephen

Brian Mosley said:

I have not heard of anyone using the sensor swabs on the D1 (I seem
to remember someone saying the standard ones are too large? maybe
need trimming down?)

I believe the best way to deal with dust is to have a very clean
source of compressed air to clean out the internal camera
compartment & remove dust... but NOT a propellant based air can.

Which leaves a speciealist air compressor - perhaps a paint
compressor? BUT it will be necessary to filter the air to a fine
enough level to eliminate the possibility of blasting dust at the
CCD.

Can anyone suggest a suitable air compressor/system?

Cheers

Bri

Mel said:

Thanks for input on the spray. I was almost considering this
myself. I guess I knew I would find good info regarding this CCD
dust issue here. (Not quite so soon, but hey this is fine)

No dust for me yet, but then I'm the rookie here and don't utilize
my camera (as yet) to the extent of you others. A question though
for you Stephen or whoever? What about the Kodak swabs? Or
whoever's swabs for that matter. I mean if they are recommended by
Kodak for their camera, has anyone tried them on a Nikon CCD yet?

Mel

Stephen Livick said:

Never use a spray propellent but you have now learned that. They
make miniture battery operated vacuum cleaners designed
spacifically for cleaning computer key boards and the insides of
cameras etc.

I saw them listed in a computer dristributers catalogue a while
ago and in camera magazines so hunt them down. I am now going to
have to do just that myself.

Perhaps someone else out there can come up with just where to get
these miniture camera/computer vacuum cleaners. They are just what
we need to keep the dust in check.

Stephen

Brian Mosley said:

Hi Guys,

yes, for me too, dust (control) is a definite issue with the D1x...

I used the D1 for several months without getting any dust on the
CCD - just through careful lens changing technique, however with
the D1x I already have a problem...

Graham Whistler recommend using a vacuum cleaner with a large wine
cork converter to narrow gauge flexible rubber hose. I haven't gone
for this method yet, as it seems that trying to suck dirt off the
ccd would have two drawbacks :

1) risk of the rubber pipe sucking on to the CCD momentarily - any
physical contact with the CCD has to be bad news...

2) sucking air out of the camera (next to the CCD) would cause a
vacuum inside the camera compartment - to be replaced by the dusty
atmosphere outside the camera... also bad news...

So I had a go with clean air from a can - something I hate to do
because I managed to spray propellant onto my old D1 ccd. (Nikon
return for swab clean needed)

I did not shake the can (which was about 75% full), selected a 30
second manual exposure and removed the lens :

First I sprayed air away from the camera onto my hand to make sure
there was no sign of propellant - then I sprayed air at & around
the mirror - then I fired the shutter release & sprayed around the
CCD.

Replacing the lens & taking a shot of blue sky showed a couple of
spots left - what to do? have another go risking propellant
contamination or accept one or two spots.

I made the wrong decision & decided to have another go with the
canned air... result : more spots (are these dust or propellant
spots?)

I would welcome any advice on successful cleaning techniques...

Cheers

Bri

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

I once had an air compressor that I put in a dark room to save on buying canned air. It seemed like a great idea, but condensation would build up in the system and occasionally it would spew out a moisture droplets that would NOT come off the film. We installed a trap that was supposed to catch the moisture, but it would still surprise you occasionally with enough micro-droplets to make the whole system totally intolerable. I would hate to think of this stuff coming out onto a CCD or actually the AA filter. The best solution that I've found is to use the canned air, but put it on a flat table top and hold it down with your hand as you move the film (or camera) in front of the nozzle. As long as it is not moved and level, it will not spray propellent. I suppose a vacuum of some type might work, but I would think that the draw on the vacuum might have to get pretty strong to pull the dust off of a surface.

Hello,

Can anyone send me a jpeg with "normal" D1x dust for comparison with "normal" dust from D1.

[email protected]

Best regards,

Tomas Partida
Ceuta -Spain-

Great idea but post one so it can be available to many.

I'd like to see too.

Tomas Partida said:

Hello,

Can anyone send me a jpeg with "normal" D1x dust for comparison
with "normal" dust from D1.

[email protected]

Best regards,

Tomas Partida
Ceuta -Spain-

Click to expand...

Brian Mosley said:

Hi Mel,

I have not heard of anyone using the sensor swabs on the D1 (I seem
to remember someone saying the standard ones are too large? maybe
need trimming down?)

I believe the best way to deal with dust is to have a very clean
source of compressed air to clean out the internal camera
compartment & remove dust... but NOT a propellant based air can.

Which leaves a speciealist air compressor - perhaps a paint
compressor? BUT it will be necessary to filter the air to a fine
enough level to eliminate the possibility of blasting dust at the
CCD.

Click to expand...

NO NO NO, most compressors use oil in one part of the mechanism or the other. The small amount will not interfere with paint but on a CCD !!!! Don't believe the salesman who says there is no oil. They mean that their is no oil system as in oil system for pneumatic power tools lubrification. Even the hoses are coated with products to help them not to get dry too rapidly.

Gaetan

Brian Mosley said:

Can anyone suggest a suitable air compressor/system?

Cheers

Bri

Mel said:

Thanks for input on the spray. I was almost considering this
myself. I guess I knew I would find good info regarding this CCD
dust issue here. (Not quite so soon, but hey this is fine)

No dust for me yet, but then I'm the rookie here and don't utilize
my camera (as yet) to the extent of you others. A question though
for you Stephen or whoever? What about the Kodak swabs? Or
whoever's swabs for that matter. I mean if they are recommended by
Kodak for their camera, has anyone tried them on a Nikon CCD yet?

Mel

Stephen Livick said:

Never use a spray propellent but you have now learned that. They
make miniture battery operated vacuum cleaners designed
spacifically for cleaning computer key boards and the insides of
cameras etc.

I saw them listed in a computer dristributers catalogue a while
ago and in camera magazines so hunt them down. I am now going to
have to do just that myself.

Perhaps someone else out there can come up with just where to get
these miniture camera/computer vacuum cleaners. They are just what
we need to keep the dust in check.

Stephen

Brian Mosley said:

Hi Guys,

yes, for me too, dust (control) is a definite issue with the D1x...

I used the D1 for several months without getting any dust on the
CCD - just through careful lens changing technique, however with
the D1x I already have a problem...

Graham Whistler recommend using a vacuum cleaner with a large wine
cork converter to narrow gauge flexible rubber hose. I haven't gone
for this method yet, as it seems that trying to suck dirt off the
ccd would have two drawbacks :

1) risk of the rubber pipe sucking on to the CCD momentarily - any
physical contact with the CCD has to be bad news...

2) sucking air out of the camera (next to the CCD) would cause a
vacuum inside the camera compartment - to be replaced by the dusty
atmosphere outside the camera... also bad news...

So I had a go with clean air from a can - something I hate to do
because I managed to spray propellant onto my old D1 ccd. (Nikon
return for swab clean needed)

I did not shake the can (which was about 75% full), selected a 30
second manual exposure and removed the lens :

First I sprayed air away from the camera onto my hand to make sure
there was no sign of propellant - then I sprayed air at & around
the mirror - then I fired the shutter release & sprayed around the
CCD.

Replacing the lens & taking a shot of blue sky showed a couple of
spots left - what to do? have another go risking propellant
contamination or accept one or two spots.

I made the wrong decision & decided to have another go with the
canned air... result : more spots (are these dust or propellant
spots?)

I would welcome any advice on successful cleaning techniques...

Cheers

Bri

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

What about 'SCUBA' air. It is suppose to be clean - free of any oil or water.

tom

Gaetan J. said:

Brian Mosley said:

Hi Mel,

I have not heard of anyone using the sensor swabs on the D1 (I seem
to remember someone saying the standard ones are too large? maybe
need trimming down?)

I believe the best way to deal with dust is to have a very clean
source of compressed air to clean out the internal camera
compartment & remove dust... but NOT a propellant based air can.

Which leaves a speciealist air compressor - perhaps a paint
compressor? BUT it will be necessary to filter the air to a fine
enough level to eliminate the possibility of blasting dust at the
CCD.

Click to expand...

NO NO NO, most compressors use oil in one part of the mechanism or
the other. The small amount will not interfere with paint but on a
CCD !!!! Don't believe the salesman who says there is no oil. They
mean that their is no oil system as in oil system for pneumatic
power tools lubrification. Even the hoses are coated with products
to help them not to get dry too rapidly.

Gaetan

Gaetan J. said:

Can anyone suggest a suitable air compressor/system?

Cheers

Bri

Mel said:

Thanks for input on the spray. I was almost considering this
myself. I guess I knew I would find good info regarding this CCD
dust issue here. (Not quite so soon, but hey this is fine)

No dust for me yet, but then I'm the rookie here and don't utilize
my camera (as yet) to the extent of you others. A question though
for you Stephen or whoever? What about the Kodak swabs? Or
whoever's swabs for that matter. I mean if they are recommended by
Kodak for their camera, has anyone tried them on a Nikon CCD yet?

Mel

Stephen Livick said:

Never use a spray propellent but you have now learned that. They
make miniture battery operated vacuum cleaners designed
spacifically for cleaning computer key boards and the insides of
cameras etc.

I saw them listed in a computer dristributers catalogue a while
ago and in camera magazines so hunt them down. I am now going to
have to do just that myself.

Perhaps someone else out there can come up with just where to get
these miniture camera/computer vacuum cleaners. They are just what
we need to keep the dust in check.

Stephen

Brian Mosley said:

Hi Guys,

yes, for me too, dust (control) is a definite issue with the D1x...

I used the D1 for several months without getting any dust on the
CCD - just through careful lens changing technique, however with
the D1x I already have a problem...

Graham Whistler recommend using a vacuum cleaner with a large wine
cork converter to narrow gauge flexible rubber hose. I haven't gone
for this method yet, as it seems that trying to suck dirt off the
ccd would have two drawbacks :

1) risk of the rubber pipe sucking on to the CCD momentarily - any
physical contact with the CCD has to be bad news...

2) sucking air out of the camera (next to the CCD) would cause a
vacuum inside the camera compartment - to be replaced by the dusty
atmosphere outside the camera... also bad news...

So I had a go with clean air from a can - something I hate to do
because I managed to spray propellant onto my old D1 ccd. (Nikon
return for swab clean needed)

I did not shake the can (which was about 75% full), selected a 30
second manual exposure and removed the lens :

First I sprayed air away from the camera onto my hand to make sure
there was no sign of propellant - then I sprayed air at & around
the mirror - then I fired the shutter release & sprayed around the
CCD.

Replacing the lens & taking a shot of blue sky showed a couple of
spots left - what to do? have another go risking propellant
contamination or accept one or two spots.

I made the wrong decision & decided to have another go with the
canned air... result : more spots (are these dust or propellant
spots?)

I would welcome any advice on successful cleaning techniques...

Cheers

Bri

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Jonathan Statt said:

Another one of my little observations about my new D1X. I noticed
that the mirror on my camera had a smudge (looks like a finger
smudge) near the front edge of the mirror, which fortunately is not
used anyway as the frame is not full frame. However, knowing the
camera had most definately not been opened by the shop, I wonder
how it got there.

Also, last night I took a picture of a white piece of card, at F22,
to see if there was any dirt on the CCD. Already there are a few
minor dark specs. Don't know if I have introduced them so quick or
whether they were there from the start. Anyone else check theirs?
Looks like it might be as bad as the S1 in terms of difficulty in
keeping clean.

I suspect that anything thats been introduced happen in Nikon UK
when they upgraded the firmware or it happened in manufacturing.

Interesting to note, and I certainly won't try, but this is the
first camera I have seen which actually suggests cleaning the
mirror with a lens cloth. I was told this was a definate no no.
Have they improved the durability of the mirror nowadays?

Jonathan

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If I win the lottery, I'm getting a D1X What I can't understand is why they can't put an optically correct piece of protection glass on top of the CCD to seal it in so that you could clean it at will? Is this just impossible? Is this simply too hard to do? Is it just one of those head slappin' "Doh" type things. Maybe I just don't get it.

Apparently some actually do have this. Why it is not on the CCD in a digital camera has eluded me right now - but the subject was explained a while back. Maybe it'll be posted again now.

Ken Huckeba said:

If I win the lottery, I'm getting a D1X What I can't understand is
why they can't put an optically correct piece of protection glass
on top of the CCD to seal it in so that you could clean it at will?
Is this just impossible? Is this simply too hard to do? Is it
just one of those head slappin' "Doh" type things. Maybe I just
don't get it.

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I have read all the post's here and I don't think anyone has hit on a suitable solution - yet!

Here is what I think will work, but have not tried it on a CCD yet, I have no problems with dust- at the moment. When I was a lad, we used to rub a plastic ruler on our sleeve and then pick up paper bits with it - this same principal can be used to attract small bits of dust, I have tested this using a plastic pen on a lens (don’t touch the glass) and this does attract the dust. Perhaps someone clever with electronics could devise a means of creating a static charge on a nylon brush.

I know I am leaving myself open to criticism here, but unless we can pool our ideas this problem is just going to get worse.

Regards Vincent

Jonathan Statt said:

Another one of my little observations about my new D1X. I noticed
that the mirror on my camera had a smudge (looks like a finger
smudge) near the front edge of the mirror, which fortunately is not
used anyway as the frame is not full frame. However, knowing the
camera had most definately not been opened by the shop, I wonder
how it got there.

Also, last night I took a picture of a white piece of card, at F22,
to see if there was any dirt on the CCD. Already there are a few
minor dark specs. Don't know if I have introduced them so quick or
whether they were there from the start. Anyone else check theirs?
Looks like it might be as bad as the S1 in terms of difficulty in
keeping clean.

I suspect that anything thats been introduced happen in Nikon UK
when they upgraded the firmware or it happened in manufacturing.

Interesting to note, and I certainly won't try, but this is the
first camera I have seen which actually suggests cleaning the
mirror with a lens cloth. I was told this was a definate no no.
Have they improved the durability of the mirror nowadays?

Jonathan

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My latest solution is to use a bellows type air-bed pump with seperate inlet and outlet valves.

I have covered the inlet valve with a hepa (very fine) dust filter from a vacuum cleaner - that way, only clean (filtered) air is being brought into the bellows chamber.

I can then blow clean air at quite high pressure at the mirror & CCD... apart from the suspect spots (possibly propellant from my earlier attempts with canned air) this works very well!

Hope this helps someone else out there.

Cheers

Bri

I would recommend you search this forum for info, there have been a ton of posts both pro and con on using swabs, also Rob's site. Net they work fine, but Nikon says no. You make the call.

Paul

Mel said:

Thanks for input on the spray. I was almost considering this
myself. I guess I knew I would find good info regarding this CCD
dust issue here. (Not quite so soon, but hey this is fine)

No dust for me yet, but then I'm the rookie here and don't utilize
my camera (as yet) to the extent of you others. A question though
for you Stephen or whoever? What about the Kodak swabs? Or
whoever's swabs for that matter. I mean if they are recommended by
Kodak for their camera, has anyone tried them on a Nikon CCD yet?

Mel

Stephen Livick said:

Never use a spray propellent but you have now learned that. They
make miniture battery operated vacuum cleaners designed
spacifically for cleaning computer key boards and the insides of
cameras etc.

I saw them listed in a computer dristributers catalogue a while
ago and in camera magazines so hunt them down. I am now going to
have to do just that myself.

Perhaps someone else out there can come up with just where to get
these miniture camera/computer vacuum cleaners. They are just what
we need to keep the dust in check.

Stephen

Brian Mosley said:

Hi Guys,

yes, for me too, dust (control) is a definite issue with the D1x...

I used the D1 for several months without getting any dust on the
CCD - just through careful lens changing technique, however with
the D1x I already have a problem...

Graham Whistler recommend using a vacuum cleaner with a large wine
cork converter to narrow gauge flexible rubber hose. I haven't gone
for this method yet, as it seems that trying to suck dirt off the
ccd would have two drawbacks :

1) risk of the rubber pipe sucking on to the CCD momentarily - any
physical contact with the CCD has to be bad news...

2) sucking air out of the camera (next to the CCD) would cause a
vacuum inside the camera compartment - to be replaced by the dusty
atmosphere outside the camera... also bad news...

So I had a go with clean air from a can - something I hate to do
because I managed to spray propellant onto my old D1 ccd. (Nikon
return for swab clean needed)

I did not shake the can (which was about 75% full), selected a 30
second manual exposure and removed the lens :

First I sprayed air away from the camera onto my hand to make sure
there was no sign of propellant - then I sprayed air at & around
the mirror - then I fired the shutter release & sprayed around the
CCD.

Replacing the lens & taking a shot of blue sky showed a couple of
spots left - what to do? have another go risking propellant
contamination or accept one or two spots.

I made the wrong decision & decided to have another go with the
canned air... result : more spots (are these dust or propellant
spots?)

I would welcome any advice on successful cleaning techniques...

Cheers

Bri

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Just wanted to point out, the mini vac's suction most likely won't work at all. You are trying to get very small dust particles (your eye can't see them) off the CCD and they are being held by static electricity. I have tried the vacuum and trust me, its a waste of time unless you are combining it with some sort of anti static method. The best soltuion that doesn't result in touch is a Blower that has a ionized spray of air attached to a high pressure compressor. The ionized air will neutralize the dust and then you can blow it out. Does is sound like a device that is used in a electonics clean room? You are right. Trust me I have spent hours on this topic and many more trying to figure out a way around it. There isn't. Kodak has the best solution by far but it wasn't worth another 3k for me.

Back to the mini vac, you will have to get so close to the CCD that you will risk the danger of touch and scratch.

Remember, if the spot is hard on the image, then the dust most likely is on your lens somewhere. It will look like a fuzz ball or UFO if its on the Filter.

I will ramble on.

Best case is prevention. Attempt to change lenses in a clean environment, not a dusty car or truck. I carry a anit Static bag for this. I want the camera body as free of static as possible. I also don't want any wind borne particles coming into the camera. Before I change the lens, I will make sure to blow off the rear most element to keep anything else from coming in. Also and very key, on most zoom lenses, take your zoom either all the way in or out, one direction will move that rear most element inside the lens body, blow this area out often. You will be amazed by the diff.

Email me if you want swab info,
[email protected]

Stephen Livick said:

That mini vac mentioned is not the one I know about, the one I have
seen has little flexiable attachments which go in the front of it.
I think I saw it at a place called Misco a computer distributer.
They used to send me catalogues all the time and it was in there. I
have also see it in digital camera magazines as well.

I found that vacuuming was the best way to deal with dust when
using 8x10 and 4x5 sheet film holders. Blowing just blows dust
further into the camera and vacuuming with a mini vacuum removes
the dust from the camera.

This mini vac is very small, tiny a micro vacuum and its draw is
not a threat in my mind, but to be honest I haven't tested it out.
But that its how I am going to do it. It can be easily carried in
the camera bag.

Stephen

Brian Mosley said:

I have not heard of anyone using the sensor swabs on the D1 (I seem
to remember someone saying the standard ones are too large? maybe
need trimming down?)

I believe the best way to deal with dust is to have a very clean
source of compressed air to clean out the internal camera
compartment & remove dust... but NOT a propellant based air can.

Which leaves a speciealist air compressor - perhaps a paint
compressor? BUT it will be necessary to filter the air to a fine
enough level to eliminate the possibility of blasting dust at the
CCD.

Can anyone suggest a suitable air compressor/system?

Cheers

Bri

Mel said:

Thanks for input on the spray. I was almost considering this
myself. I guess I knew I would find good info regarding this CCD
dust issue here. (Not quite so soon, but hey this is fine)

No dust for me yet, but then I'm the rookie here and don't utilize
my camera (as yet) to the extent of you others. A question though
for you Stephen or whoever? What about the Kodak swabs? Or
whoever's swabs for that matter. I mean if they are recommended by
Kodak for their camera, has anyone tried them on a Nikon CCD yet?

Mel

Stephen Livick said:

Never use a spray propellent but you have now learned that. They
make miniture battery operated vacuum cleaners designed
spacifically for cleaning computer key boards and the insides of
cameras etc.

I saw them listed in a computer dristributers catalogue a while
ago and in camera magazines so hunt them down. I am now going to
have to do just that myself.

Perhaps someone else out there can come up with just where to get
these miniture camera/computer vacuum cleaners. They are just what
we need to keep the dust in check.

Stephen

Brian Mosley said:

Hi Guys,

yes, for me too, dust (control) is a definite issue with the D1x...

I used the D1 for several months without getting any dust on the
CCD - just through careful lens changing technique, however with
the D1x I already have a problem...

Graham Whistler recommend using a vacuum cleaner with a large wine
cork converter to narrow gauge flexible rubber hose. I haven't gone
for this method yet, as it seems that trying to suck dirt off the
ccd would have two drawbacks :

1) risk of the rubber pipe sucking on to the CCD momentarily - any
physical contact with the CCD has to be bad news...

2) sucking air out of the camera (next to the CCD) would cause a
vacuum inside the camera compartment - to be replaced by the dusty
atmosphere outside the camera... also bad news...

So I had a go with clean air from a can - something I hate to do
because I managed to spray propellant onto my old D1 ccd. (Nikon
return for swab clean needed)

I did not shake the can (which was about 75% full), selected a 30
second manual exposure and removed the lens :

First I sprayed air away from the camera onto my hand to make sure
there was no sign of propellant - then I sprayed air at & around
the mirror - then I fired the shutter release & sprayed around the
CCD.

Replacing the lens & taking a shot of blue sky showed a couple of
spots left - what to do? have another go risking propellant
contamination or accept one or two spots.

I made the wrong decision & decided to have another go with the
canned air... result : more spots (are these dust or propellant
spots?)

I would welcome any advice on successful cleaning techniques...

Cheers

Bri

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