I do not use the swabs, I only bought the Eclipse fluid and the pec
pads that come with it, I sort of used Thoms method but bought a
tool from an arts and craft shop which has a wedge shaped rubber
end the right size and shape to fit across the CCD and have enough
give in it so as not to do any danage. It allows me to safely apply
pressure but will bend if I apply too much I can now clean my
sensor with half a pec pad folded in two and wrapped round the end
of the rubber tool and secured with a rubber band, two drops of
eclipse on the pad and then press down and drawit across the sensor
one way the n turn it over and draw it back across the sensor the
other way.
The trick I found was not being afraid to apply a little pressure,
you can not frighten the dust off you have to wipe it off.
I hope you can understand my description.
Its easy for me to sit here and tell you to press harder, I know
its not easy for you to stay cool and not think the worst, I hope
it works out for you.
Regards.
Brian.
Thanks for your input. The photo of the CCD - is a photo of a piece
of white paper illuminated with a tungsten lamp. When you look at
the CCD itself - the (damaged) area IS lighter than the remainder
(good part) of the CCD. Take a look at the other photo of the CCD
itself. You are right about the rest of the dust specks. No matter
what I did - I could not rid them off the CCD !! I need some more
practice at this CCD cleaning !! But I did it as per Thom Hogans
instructions - ie wipe across CCD face edge to edge - flip the swab
and wipe again. When you say apply more pressure to the sensor swab
- what sensor swab are you using ? The ones that came with the
Eclipse fluid - or the Thom Hogan DIY plastic version ?? I have
only the Eclipse version but you can only apply so much pressure as
the edges are only pec-pads and they will bend.
Zorpie,
Don't take this the wrong way I want this not to be a damaged CCD
as much as you do but looking at your posted image there is still a
lot of dust on the sensor, I got this the first time i cleaned and
it was because i was afraid to press hard enough on the sensor with
the swab.
When I finaly applied about the same pressure as you would use to
write with a pen the dust came off, I know thats not a very
scientific explanation for pressure but its the best i can describe
it.
The two dark areas on your image still look to me like some kind of
dirt or smudge, the edges are very ragged and random and i would
have guessed a coating coming away would have a less jagged edge
also there are lots of smaller smudges near the big ones. Also if
it was a coating coming off I would think the area under the
coating would be lighter not darker than the good areas, which
again makes me think its some kind of contamination rather than
damage.
I might be totaly wrong but I am an optimistic type and until the
worst is proven I think its dirt.
Go on give it another clean.
Brian.
