New method of cleaning CCD.

I have read most of the threads about cleaning CCD, but I have developed a really simple method which pulls off all dirt/dust every time, 100%.

Instead of blowing all the bit about down there, or wipeing them away, try this

Using the mains adapter as per booklet, enter clean CCD mode, remove lens ect then carefuly suck out all those little bits for dust/dirt with your normal vac cleaner. You simply place the nozzle into the opening in the camera, about 50% of the way down, and it all come off every time.

Make sure you turn on the vac before entering the camera,and set the vac to tool setting or simular setting to ensure all sucktion come out of the nozzel, hold the vac head with both hands and slowly enter camera opening.

The nozel must be the right size, if not look in an accessory shop for a smaller size end of nozzel. I find it takes about 15 seconds to carry out this method and its free, effective and lasts much longer since everthing gets taken out of the camera, nothing gets left behind.

Let me know how you find the results-Good luck.

Patrick Fitzsimmons--P Fitzsimmons

Great information...what size vacuum are you using..is it a standard floor model or and hand model?...don't want to suck the innards out :> ) ****

Fitzsimmons said:

I have read most of the threads about cleaning CCD, but I have
developed a really simple method which pulls off all dirt/dust
every time, 100%.

Instead of blowing all the bit about down there, or wipeing them
away, try this

Using the mains adapter as per booklet, enter clean CCD mode,
remove lens ect then carefuly suck out all those little bits for
dust/dirt with your normal vac cleaner. You simply place the nozzle
into the opening in the camera, about 50% of the way down, and it
all come off every time.

Make sure you turn on the vac before entering the camera,and set
the vac to tool setting or simular setting to ensure all sucktion
come out of the nozzel, hold the vac head with both hands and
slowly enter camera opening.

The nozel must be the right size, if not look in an accessory shop
for a smaller size end of nozzel. I find it takes about 15 seconds
to carry out this method and its free, effective and lasts much
longer since everthing gets taken out of the camera, nothing gets
left behind.

Let me know how you find the results-Good luck.

Patrick Fitzsimmons
--
P Fitzsimmons

Click to expand...

Hello Fitzsimmons,

I suggested this approach way back in the Summer as it's how I always dealt wth my sheet film holders. However I was quickly shot down by quite a few D1 users as being very dangerous as one could damage the camera. (their words)

So I went to Nikon and talked to the service manager and found out just how they did it themselves. I wonder if vacuuming works so well, and personally I don't doubt it, why they don't use it themselves, seems logical.

Stephen

PS: Everyone

I also remember talking about small portable battery powered vacuums for cleaning on location shoots. I have seen advertisements on such small vacuums and someone even provided a link at that time to such a portable model.

Stephen

There are two downsides to this method:-

1. You are going to be pulling a lot of air into the chamber using this method - that air could contain airborn particles of dust. With the force they are being sucked into the chamber, they could embed themselves on the CCD and be virtually impossible to remove.

Any mistake on your part (somebody nudges you etc) and your vacuum adapter smashes intself into the CCD - possibly with very expensive consequences. It can even happen to the most diligent of operators - just ask Brian Mosely if you don't believe me.

Just buy yourself some of the new D1X swabs when they become available early in the new year - very easy to use and you will end up with a sparklingly clean CCD. I realise it's an added expense - but I'd prefer to spend £10 every 3 or 4 months rather than risk damaging the CCD and having the camera out of operation for a month while a new CCD was being fitted at a vastly increased cost.

Fitzsimmons said:

I have read most of the threads about cleaning CCD, but I have
developed a really simple method which pulls off all dirt/dust
every time, 100%.

Instead of blowing all the bit about down there, or wipeing them
away, try this

Using the mains adapter as per booklet, enter clean CCD mode,
remove lens ect then carefuly suck out all those little bits for
dust/dirt with your normal vac cleaner. You simply place the nozzle
into the opening in the camera, about 50% of the way down, and it
all come off every time.

Make sure you turn on the vac before entering the camera,and set
the vac to tool setting or simular setting to ensure all sucktion
come out of the nozzel, hold the vac head with both hands and
slowly enter camera opening.

The nozel must be the right size, if not look in an accessory shop
for a smaller size end of nozzel. I find it takes about 15 seconds
to carry out this method and its free, effective and lasts much
longer since everthing gets taken out of the camera, nothing gets
left behind.

Let me know how you find the results-Good luck.

Patrick Fitzsimmons
--
P Fitzsimmons

Click to expand...

Carol's partly right: if you start an airflow in the CCD chamber you could eventually find that you get particles UNDER the filter. As for embedding ON the CCD--the filter material is quite hard, and that's not going to happen.

A regular vacuum does generate a lot of sucking power, but remember, the air that it sucks out has to get replaced, so you generate quite an airflow. A better solution is to go to Staples and buy one of the Kensington hand vacuums for computer keyboards. Not only is the smallest tip perfectly sized for the D1 CCD chamber, but this unit is not very high powered. It sucks well enough to remove most loose particles, but not strong enough to generate huge air currents pulling new (potentially dirty) air in. Not only is the unit useful for a quick CCD clean in dusty environs, but it does a pretty good job on the outside of the camera, too (after dragging my D1x through the dirt a few times in Utah, I had managed to get red dust in most of the crevices).

That said, I still use a swab-type method to do a real CCD cleaning, though as D1 Report users will soon find out, I've stopped using the premade swabs because I've found something better.

Thom Hogan
author, Nikon Field Guide
author, Nikon Flash Guide
author, Complete Guide to the Nikon D1, D1h, & D1x
http://www.bythom.com

Carol Steele said:

Any mistake on your part (somebody nudges you etc) and your vacuum
adapter smashes intself into the CCD - possibly with very expensive
consequences. It can even happen to the most diligent of operators

• just ask Brian Mosely if you don't believe me.

Just buy yourself some of the new D1X swabs when they become
available early in the new year - very easy to use and you will end
up with a sparklingly clean CCD. I realise it's an added expense -
but I'd prefer to spend £10 every 3 or 4 months rather than risk
damaging the CCD and having the camera out of operation for a month
while a new CCD was being fitted at a vastly increased cost.

Fitzsimmons said:

I have read most of the threads about cleaning CCD, but I have
developed a really simple method which pulls off all dirt/dust
every time, 100%.

Instead of blowing all the bit about down there, or wipeing them
away, try this

Using the mains adapter as per booklet, enter clean CCD mode,
remove lens ect then carefuly suck out all those little bits for
dust/dirt with your normal vac cleaner. You simply place the nozzle
into the opening in the camera, about 50% of the way down, and it
all come off every time.

Make sure you turn on the vac before entering the camera,and set
the vac to tool setting or simular setting to ensure all sucktion
come out of the nozzel, hold the vac head with both hands and
slowly enter camera opening.

The nozel must be the right size, if not look in an accessory shop
for a smaller size end of nozzel. I find it takes about 15 seconds
to carry out this method and its free, effective and lasts much
longer since everthing gets taken out of the camera, nothing gets
left behind.

Let me know how you find the results-Good luck.

Patrick Fitzsimmons
--
P Fitzsimmons

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Tom, what is the D1 Report...and where do I find it...tnx ****

Thom Hogan said:

A regular vacuum does generate a lot of sucking power, but
remember, the air that it sucks out has to get replaced, so you
generate quite an airflow. A better solution is to go to Staples
and buy one of the Kensington hand vacuums for computer keyboards.
Not only is the smallest tip perfectly sized for the D1 CCD
chamber, but this unit is not very high powered. It sucks well
enough to remove most loose particles, but not strong enough to
generate huge air currents pulling new (potentially dirty) air in.
Not only is the unit useful for a quick CCD clean in dusty
environs, but it does a pretty good job on the outside of the
camera, too (after dragging my D1x through the dirt a few times in
Utah, I had managed to get red dust in most of the crevices).

That said, I still use a swab-type method to do a real CCD
cleaning, though as D1 Report users will soon find out, I've
stopped using the premade swabs because I've found something better.

Thom Hogan
author, Nikon Field Guide
author, Nikon Flash Guide
author, Complete Guide to the Nikon D1, D1h, & D1x
http://www.bythom.com

Carol Steele said:

Any mistake on your part (somebody nudges you etc) and your vacuum
adapter smashes intself into the CCD - possibly with very expensive
consequences. It can even happen to the most diligent of operators

• just ask Brian Mosely if you don't believe me.

Just buy yourself some of the new D1X swabs when they become
available early in the new year - very easy to use and you will end
up with a sparklingly clean CCD. I realise it's an added expense -
but I'd prefer to spend £10 every 3 or 4 months rather than risk
damaging the CCD and having the camera out of operation for a month
while a new CCD was being fitted at a vastly increased cost.

Fitzsimmons said:

I have read most of the threads about cleaning CCD, but I have
developed a really simple method which pulls off all dirt/dust
every time, 100%.

Instead of blowing all the bit about down there, or wipeing them
away, try this

Using the mains adapter as per booklet, enter clean CCD mode,
remove lens ect then carefuly suck out all those little bits for
dust/dirt with your normal vac cleaner. You simply place the nozzle
into the opening in the camera, about 50% of the way down, and it
all come off every time.

Make sure you turn on the vac before entering the camera,and set
the vac to tool setting or simular setting to ensure all sucktion
come out of the nozzel, hold the vac head with both hands and
slowly enter camera opening.

The nozel must be the right size, if not look in an accessory shop
for a smaller size end of nozzel. I find it takes about 15 seconds
to carry out this method and its free, effective and lasts much
longer since everthing gets taken out of the camera, nothing gets
left behind.

Let me know how you find the results-Good luck.

Patrick Fitzsimmons
--
P Fitzsimmons

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Ive been curios about the vacuum idea myself, and just might try the little vac.

I still search for an easy method to clean the ccd, especially since I have yet to do it. The other day I decided to shoot the clear blue sky and see how bad the ccd was. I saw a lot of specs, althouth not visible (yet) in the images, with a little auto levels in the blue shots of the sky it was clearly dirty. I took a look inside and wondered how to go about it. Im not sure I want my $5,000 camera floating through the mail. So what am I to do?

Anyone ever thought of using something like the "Lenspen"? It supposedly safe for glass, and if the ccd is as hard as they say, it should be safe, no?

So how should I clean my ccd for the first time? Any particular solutions, swabs I should use over others?

Thanks for the time,

johhny

Thom Hogan wrote:
Thom Hogan,

whats this new method then????????????????

Thom Hogan said:

Thom Hogan said:

Thom Hogan said:

Fitzsimmons wrote:

I have read most of the threads about cleaning CCD, but I have
developed a really simple method which pulls off all dirt/dust
every time, 100%.

Instead of blowing all the bit about down there, or wipeing them
away, try this

Using the mains adapter as per booklet, enter clean CCD mode,
remove lens ect then carefuly suck out all those little bits for
dust/dirt with your normal vac cleaner. You simply place the nozzle
into the opening in the camera, about 50% of the way down, and it
all come off every time.

Make sure you turn on the vac before entering the camera,and set
the vac to tool setting or simular setting to ensure all sucktion
come out of the nozzel, hold the vac head with both hands and
slowly enter camera opening.

The nozel must be the right size, if not look in an accessory shop
for a smaller size end of nozzel. I find it takes about 15 seconds
to carry out this method and its free, effective and lasts much
longer since everthing gets taken out of the camera, nothing gets
left behind.

Let me know how you find the results-Good luck.

Patrick Fitzsimmons
--
P Fitzsimmons

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Go to Thom's web site where the D1 Report and cost can be found.

Regards,
Trent

****- said:

Thom Hogan said:

A regular vacuum does generate a lot of sucking power, but
remember, the air that it sucks out has to get replaced, so you
generate quite an airflow. A better solution is to go to Staples
and buy one of the Kensington hand vacuums for computer keyboards.
Not only is the smallest tip perfectly sized for the D1 CCD
chamber, but this unit is not very high powered. It sucks well
enough to remove most loose particles, but not strong enough to
generate huge air currents pulling new (potentially dirty) air in.
Not only is the unit useful for a quick CCD clean in dusty
environs, but it does a pretty good job on the outside of the
camera, too (after dragging my D1x through the dirt a few times in
Utah, I had managed to get red dust in most of the crevices).

That said, I still use a swab-type method to do a real CCD
cleaning, though as D1 Report users will soon find out, I've
stopped using the premade swabs because I've found something better.

Thom Hogan
author, Nikon Field Guide
author, Nikon Flash Guide
author, Complete Guide to the Nikon D1, D1h, & D1x
http://www.bythom.com

Carol Steele said:

Any mistake on your part (somebody nudges you etc) and your vacuum
adapter smashes intself into the CCD - possibly with very expensive
consequences. It can even happen to the most diligent of operators

• just ask Brian Mosely if you don't believe me.

Just buy yourself some of the new D1X swabs when they become
available early in the new year - very easy to use and you will end
up with a sparklingly clean CCD. I realise it's an added expense -
but I'd prefer to spend £10 every 3 or 4 months rather than risk
damaging the CCD and having the camera out of operation for a month
while a new CCD was being fitted at a vastly increased cost.

Fitzsimmons said:

I have read most of the threads about cleaning CCD, but I have
developed a really simple method which pulls off all dirt/dust
every time, 100%.

Instead of blowing all the bit about down there, or wipeing them
away, try this

Using the mains adapter as per booklet, enter clean CCD mode,
remove lens ect then carefuly suck out all those little bits for
dust/dirt with your normal vac cleaner. You simply place the nozzle
into the opening in the camera, about 50% of the way down, and it
all come off every time.

Make sure you turn on the vac before entering the camera,and set
the vac to tool setting or simular setting to ensure all sucktion
come out of the nozzel, hold the vac head with both hands and
slowly enter camera opening.

The nozel must be the right size, if not look in an accessory shop
for a smaller size end of nozzel. I find it takes about 15 seconds
to carry out this method and its free, effective and lasts much
longer since everthing gets taken out of the camera, nothing gets
left behind.

Let me know how you find the results-Good luck.

Patrick Fitzsimmons
--
P Fitzsimmons

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

I've started a quarterly publication that updates all my experiences and knowledge of the D1 models in use. See http://www.bythom.com/d1report.htm for more details. First issue looks to be over 50 full sized pages (when printed) and will be out at the end of the month.

Thom Hogan
author, Nikon Field Guide
author, Nikon Flash Guide
author, Complete Guide to the Nikon D1, D1h, & D1x
http://www.bythom.com

****- said:

Thom Hogan said:

A regular vacuum does generate a lot of sucking power, but
remember, the air that it sucks out has to get replaced, so you
generate quite an airflow. A better solution is to go to Staples
and buy one of the Kensington hand vacuums for computer keyboards.
Not only is the smallest tip perfectly sized for the D1 CCD
chamber, but this unit is not very high powered. It sucks well
enough to remove most loose particles, but not strong enough to
generate huge air currents pulling new (potentially dirty) air in.
Not only is the unit useful for a quick CCD clean in dusty
environs, but it does a pretty good job on the outside of the
camera, too (after dragging my D1x through the dirt a few times in
Utah, I had managed to get red dust in most of the crevices).

That said, I still use a swab-type method to do a real CCD
cleaning, though as D1 Report users will soon find out, I've
stopped using the premade swabs because I've found something better.

Thom Hogan
author, Nikon Field Guide
author, Nikon Flash Guide
author, Complete Guide to the Nikon D1, D1h, & D1x
http://www.bythom.com

Carol Steele said:

Any mistake on your part (somebody nudges you etc) and your vacuum
adapter smashes intself into the CCD - possibly with very expensive
consequences. It can even happen to the most diligent of operators

• just ask Brian Mosely if you don't believe me.

Just buy yourself some of the new D1X swabs when they become
available early in the new year - very easy to use and you will end
up with a sparklingly clean CCD. I realise it's an added expense -
but I'd prefer to spend £10 every 3 or 4 months rather than risk
damaging the CCD and having the camera out of operation for a month
while a new CCD was being fitted at a vastly increased cost.

Fitzsimmons said:

I have read most of the threads about cleaning CCD, but I have
developed a really simple method which pulls off all dirt/dust
every time, 100%.

Instead of blowing all the bit about down there, or wipeing them
away, try this

Using the mains adapter as per booklet, enter clean CCD mode,
remove lens ect then carefuly suck out all those little bits for
dust/dirt with your normal vac cleaner. You simply place the nozzle
into the opening in the camera, about 50% of the way down, and it
all come off every time.

Make sure you turn on the vac before entering the camera,and set
the vac to tool setting or simular setting to ensure all sucktion
come out of the nozzel, hold the vac head with both hands and
slowly enter camera opening.

The nozel must be the right size, if not look in an accessory shop
for a smaller size end of nozzel. I find it takes about 15 seconds
to carry out this method and its free, effective and lasts much
longer since everthing gets taken out of the camera, nothing gets
left behind.

Let me know how you find the results-Good luck.

Patrick Fitzsimmons
--
P Fitzsimmons

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Sorry, have to leave something to the paying customers ; ) It's not so much a new method as comments on how to perfect the best method.

Thom Hogan
author, Nikon Field Guide
author, Nikon Flash Guide
author, Complete Guide to the Nikon D1, D1h, & D1x
http://www.bythom.com

Fitzsimmons said:

whats this new method then????????????????

Patrick Fitzsimmons said:

Patrick Fitzsimmons said:

Patrick Fitzsimmons said:

Fitzsimmons wrote:

I have read most of the threads about cleaning CCD, but I have
developed a really simple method which pulls off all dirt/dust
every time, 100%.

Instead of blowing all the bit about down there, or wipeing them
away, try this

Using the mains adapter as per booklet, enter clean CCD mode,
remove lens ect then carefuly suck out all those little bits for
dust/dirt with your normal vac cleaner. You simply place the nozzle
into the opening in the camera, about 50% of the way down, and it
all come off every time.

Make sure you turn on the vac before entering the camera,and set
the vac to tool setting or simular setting to ensure all sucktion
come out of the nozzel, hold the vac head with both hands and
slowly enter camera opening.

The nozel must be the right size, if not look in an accessory shop
for a smaller size end of nozzel. I find it takes about 15 seconds
to carry out this method and its free, effective and lasts much
longer since everthing gets taken out of the camera, nothing gets
left behind.

Let me know how you find the results-Good luck.

Patrick Fitzsimmons
--
P Fitzsimmons

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Hi,

This is a very dangerous method, though. The air that the vacuum sucks in must come from outside the camera body and the only place available will be from around the exterior of the nozzle, between it and the lens mounting ring.

This air is loaded with many particulates. It will enter the camera at the same velocity as the air, but they are all much heavier than the air molecules. The air can make the 180 degree turn inside the camera, but the particles generally will not. They will carry on via inertia and impact the Lithium Niobate (LiNbO3) filter over the CCD in the case of the Nikon cameras.

The LiNbO3 filter isn't the hardest of substances, being about 5 on the Mohs scale (the one where talc is 1 and diamond is 10), or about the same hardness as your teeth. Many particles will be harder than this, being essentially very small pieces of rock. On top of the impact, not all particles will be travelling perpendicular to the filter, so they could slide somewhat. Not only will you get imbedded bits, but you can easily get scratches as well.

On top of all that, the filter is attached to the CCD assembly, but not perfectly sealed to it for pressure equalization reasons. You may very well drive some of these particles around the edge and wind up with them between the CCD and the bottom of the filter. No one can clean this up, not even Nikon service. All you can do is pay Nikon service to replace the entire CCD assembly. Quite costly in the end to save a few bucks on cleaning swabs.

Oh, and the 180 degree turn of air theory is the main operating principal in large truck and heavy equipment air cleaners. They draw their air down a pipe and have it turn 180 degrees upwards before being drawn through the filter element. Most of the particles can't make the turn and collect in a cup at the bottom of the filter unit. The cup is removable to empty the stuff out and collecting it there provides for longer service intervals on the large (and costly) dust filter elements. Look at most any semi (tractor-trailer) or large dump truck. These filter units sit right on the side of the hood just in front of the door.

Ask yourself this question: Do you really want to be cleaning an expensive digital camera imager using a method designed to trap dirt at the bottom of a well?

Stan

Amateur Photographer
Professional Electronics Development Engineer

Fitzsimmons said:

I have read most of the threads about cleaning CCD, but I have
developed a really simple method which pulls off all dirt/dust
every time, 100%.

Instead of blowing all the bit about down there, or wipeing them
away, try this

Using the mains adapter as per booklet, enter clean CCD mode,
remove lens ect then carefuly suck out all those little bits for
dust/dirt with your normal vac cleaner. You simply place the nozzle
into the opening in the camera, about 50% of the way down, and it
all come off every time.

Make sure you turn on the vac before entering the camera,and set
the vac to tool setting or simular setting to ensure all sucktion
come out of the nozzel, hold the vac head with both hands and
slowly enter camera opening.

The nozel must be the right size, if not look in an accessory shop
for a smaller size end of nozzel. I find it takes about 15 seconds
to carry out this method and its free, effective and lasts much
longer since everthing gets taken out of the camera, nothing gets
left behind.

Let me know how you find the results-Good luck.

Patrick Fitzsimmons
--
P Fitzsimmons

Click to expand...

johnny said:

Ive been curios about the vacuum idea myself, and just might try
the little vac.

I still search for an easy method to clean the ccd, especially
since I have yet to do it. The other day I decided to shoot the
clear blue sky and see how bad the ccd was. I saw a lot of specs,
althouth not visible (yet) in the images, with a little auto levels
in the blue shots of the sky it was clearly dirty. I took a look
inside and wondered how to go about it. Im not sure I want my
$5,000 camera floating through the mail. So what am I to do?

Anyone ever thought of using something like the "Lenspen"? It
supposedly safe for glass, and if the ccd is as hard as they say,
it should be safe, no? NEVER

Click to expand...

Johnny, make a search on this same forum "by subject" (cleaning ccd)

or search Ger Bee postings some 3 months ago. You will get good, safe counselling. I looks terrible the first time around; but you will pass it and you will be OK. I would not use the air machine: no.

Courage my friend, we have all been through this. You will love your D1x more after the experience (mmm, this does NOT sound familiar).
Regards

Raul

el junior said:

So how should I clean my ccd for the first time? Any particular
solutions, swabs I should use over others?

Thanks for the time,

johhny

Click to expand...