Reading mode: Light Dark

Dusty sensor D700

Go to last post
JosK

JosK

Active member
Messages
74
Reaction score
1
Location
NL
In february I bought the D700 upgrading from the D90. In a little more than 2 months I need / want the sensor to be cleaned because of visible dust or oil spots.

Does anyone experience the same with the D3 of D700? I change lenses quite frequently and try to change them in the best possible environment, but the larger FX sensor seems to be a dustsucker.

By the way, the sensor cleaning option on the D700 doesn't seem to remove much dust. Only the very small bits.
 
I agree, it is a dust magnet.

I don't have a specific link, but if you search for oil on this site you will find threads relating to the sensor on the D700.

If you are going to clean it yourself and it is the first time, do some reading up on it. It is not that difficult, but can be scary the first time around due to the sensitive nature of the part.

I had a post a week ago regarding "wet sensor cleaning" that a lot a people chimed in on and gave some good info on.
 
The dust shaker seems to take off only the kind of dirt that would come off with a blow of air.

This is not only on the D700. It seems that every camera will require a wet cleaning.

--
Chris, Broussard, LA
 
Just my 2ct:

Have my D700 for 9months and never had to clean the sensor- I change lenses frequently - the D200 was much worse, I had to clean 1x/month the D100 a disaster in that respect - with almost weekly clean-ups.
--
regards
JoeM
 
Dslr's get dirty, it's a fact of owning them. I could probably stand to clean mine about every 10 days if I were really worked up about it. Even after I clean my cameras, if you do the 'blue sky test' you will be blown away with what you see at f22.

Buy the right tools, learn how to do it. It's very easy and not that scary after you have done it once or twice. It's something you MUST know how to do, especially if you travel and are away from support...
--
[email protected]
http://www.courtlevephoto.com
 
Just for info, I've just had to take my D700 into Nikon to have it cleaned properly. I tried using Sensor Swabs and Eclipse e2 fluid, but this added more dust and left smears all over the sensor.

The technician rang me today to tell me that, in fact, the sensor is now scratched! He also informs me that these scracthes do not appear on images down to F22, but I'll wait until I get me camera back to find out if this is true and when these scratches do appear, if at all. Hopefully he's right, because if he's not it's going to cost me £900 top get it repaired!

I followed the cleaning instructions to the letter, blew dust from the sensor first, only used each sensor swab once and wasn't at all heavy handed. I've wet cleaned other cameras in the past with no problems, so I'm pretty sure my technique was ok.

I won't, however, be attempting wet cleaning again.

Just as an aside, does anyone think that taking a dust-off reference photo will get rid of the scratches on my images if they are visible?
 
I usually bring the camera to a specialized sensorcleaner nearby. It costs a bit, but the sensor will become brandnew. This guy even got visites from Canon executives to learn about his method.

But for 10 pounds I will also try the rocket blower. Thanks for the tip.
 
happyhacker said:
Just for info, I've just had to take my D700 into Nikon to have it
cleaned properly. I tried using Sensor Swabs and Eclipse e2 fluid,
but this added more dust and left smears all over the sensor.

The technician rang me today to tell me that, in fact, the sensor is
now scratched! He also informs me that these scracthes do not appear
on images down to F22, but I'll wait until I get me camera back to
find out if this is true and when these scratches do appear, if at
all. Hopefully he's right, because if he's not it's going to cost me
£900 top get it repaired!

I followed the cleaning instructions to the letter, blew dust from
the sensor first, only used each sensor swab once and wasn't at all
heavy handed. I've wet cleaned other cameras in the past with no
problems, so I'm pretty sure my technique was ok.

I won't, however, be attempting wet cleaning again.

Just as an aside, does anyone think that taking a dust-off reference
photo will get rid of the scratches on my images if they are visible?
--
Click to expand...
Doesn't the manufacturer of the E2 product guarantee that it won't harm the sensor? Or is that just Visible Dust? Anyway - how could you prove one way or another who scratched the sensor? It could even be the tech who did it and is blaming someone else. Not saying that is what happened, but without a chain of custody saying it was received unscratched, there is no way to prove who or what scratched it.
 
Yes, they do warrant that their product won't damage the sensor but as you say, how on Earth do I prove that it did.

I guess that, if I do have to have the sensor replaced, there's no harm in trying to claim, but I won't hold my breath.

Anyway, let's hope that it's all fine when it comes back and the scratches don't appear on images, as the technician said.
 
dnorth12 said:
Doesn't the manufacturer of the E2 product guarantee that it won't
harm the sensor? Or is that just Visible Dust? Anyway - how could you
prove one way or another who scratched the sensor? It could even be
the tech who did it and is blaming someone else. Not saying that is
what happened, but without a chain of custody saying it was received
unscratched, there is no way to prove who or what scratched it.
Click to expand...
Even more to the point, how do you tell whether it was the cleaning solution or the cleaning technique which caused the scratch? The chemical mfr can warrant that their product will not (chemically) damage the camera materials, but there must be exceptions and exclusions for improper use or application of their product. Even water can be toxic for human beings, if improperly administered or applied.

-- Bob Elkind
Family,in/outdoor sports, landscape, wildlife
photo galleries at http://eteam.zenfolio.com
my relationship with my camera is strictly photonic
 
bob elkind said:
dnorth12 said:
Doesn't the manufacturer of the E2 product guarantee that it won't
harm the sensor? Or is that just Visible Dust? Anyway - how could you
prove one way or another who scratched the sensor? It could even be
the tech who did it and is blaming someone else. Not saying that is
what happened, but without a chain of custody saying it was received
unscratched, there is no way to prove who or what scratched it.
Click to expand...
Even more to the point, how do you tell whether it was the cleaning
solution or the cleaning technique which caused the scratch? The
chemical mfr can warrant that their product will not (chemically)
damage the camera materials, but there must be exceptions and
exclusions for improper use or application of their product. Even
water can be toxic for human beings, if improperly administered or
applied.
Click to expand...
And Nikon will certainly not take any responsibility. From the D700 manual: ""Dirt that can not be removed by a blower can only be removed by Nikon authorized service personnel. Under no circumstances should you touch or wipe the filter."

--
Kind regards
Kaj
http://www.pbase.com/kaj_e
WSSA member
 
Hi all,

Got my D700 back and there are no visible scratches on my images even if I stop down to f50. Presumably the technician saw the marks through a lupe, but as long as they're not visible on images, I couldn't care less.

The problem is that the sensor WILL get dust stuck to it again and I'm now very reluctant to clean it with any sort of swab. Sending it back to Nikon every time it needs cleaning will be a pain since they no longer do sensor cleaning while you wait.

Anyone know of any reliable companies in the UK that will clean a sensor while you wait?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Keyboard shortcuts

f
Forum
m
My threads
Mobile site
About
Editorial content
Cameras & Lenses
Community
All content, design, and layout are Copyright © 1998–2025 Digital Photography Review All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction in whole or part in any form or medium without specific written permission is prohibited.
When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission.
©GPS Media - Guides, Products, Services.
Back
Top