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wet-cleaning the Zf sensor

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sirhawkeye64

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Before anyone jumps in and says that Nikon says to send it in, I know that. But for the times when I might need to wet clean on location (like when traveling) what is the recommended procedure... as to not damage the IBIS mechanism since it doesn't lock when powered off?

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NOTE: If I don't reply to a direct comment in the forums, it's likely I unsubscribed from the thread/article..
 
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Someone posted that Nikon told them to leave the camera turned on.
 
Yes that was me madecov.

I too wondered about wet cleaning when Ricci said the IBIS mechanism is not locked when the camera is turned off.

On all other Z cameras it is locked when the camera is turned off, apparently.

So I asked Nikon Australia how do we clean it and they said, Don't. Send it to an authorized dealer

So I pushed harder and assured them I would take ALL responsibility for damaging my sensor if I cleaned it myself.

So they wrote back and said the camera should be left ON when cleaning your sensor.

Other fol;ks suggest it doesn't matter. But for what it's worth that's what Nikon Australia recommended to me
 
sirhawkeye64 said:
Before anyone jumps in and says that Nikon says to send it in, I know that. But for the times when I might need to wet clean on location (like when traveling) what is the recommended procedure... as to not damage the IBIS mechanism since it doesn't lock when powered off?
Click to expand...
If Nikon says "Don't. Send it to an authorized dealer for cleaning"...

Then that would BE the recommend procedure... no?
 
thayes15 said:
Yes that was me madecov.

I too wondered about wet cleaning when Ricci said the IBIS mechanism is not locked when the camera is turned off.

On all other Z cameras it is locked when the camera is turned off, apparently.

So I asked Nikon Australia how do we clean it and they said, Don't. Send it to an authorized dealer

So I pushed harder and assured them I would take ALL responsibility for damaging my sensor if I cleaned it myself.

So they wrote back and said the camera should be left ON when cleaning your sensor.

Other fol;ks suggest it doesn't matter. But for what it's worth that's what Nikon Australia recommended to me
Click to expand...
Am I to assume that IBIS should be off while the camera is on (and being cleaned)?
 
RWN Photo said:
sirhawkeye64 said:
Before anyone jumps in and says that Nikon says to send it in, I know that. But for the times when I might need to wet clean on location (like when traveling) what is the recommended procedure... as to not damage the IBIS mechanism since it doesn't lock when powered off?
Click to expand...
If Nikon says "Don't. Send it to an authorized dealer for cleaning"...

Then that would BE the recommend procedure... no?
Click to expand...
Yes but they say that for EVERY camera. I would guess than at least half on here don't send their cameras back to Nikon (either clean it themselves or take it to a store and have them do it). They say that for liability reasons mainly. I've had some reps of the years even say "I'm supposed to tell you to send it back, but I don't personally myself."

--
NOTE: If I don't reply to a direct comment in the forums, it's likely I unsubscribed from the thread/article..
 
Last edited:
That is an excellent question
 
RWN Photo said:
If Nikon says "Don't. Send it to an authorized dealer for cleaning"...

Then that would BE the recommend procedure... no?
Click to expand...
IMO, sending to the dealer/service center does not qualify as a "procedure" to clean the sensor. I would call it an avoidance of trouble, the trouble being having to deal with the irate camera owners that attempt to wet clean the sensor and then damage the sensor or IBIS mechanism. One can't blame Nikon for the existence of the Dunning-Kruger effect amongst their customers.

--
-Keith B-
 
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So true.

That's why I had to assure Nikon Australia I would take full responsibility for any damage I might cause.

And so if I do damage it, I will most assuredly not cry to Nikon Australia.
 
On Fujifilm cameras, the IBIS isn't locked either.

When cleaning sensors, Fujifilm technicians leave the camera ON with the IBIS ON, so that the sensor won't wiggle around when you put a swab on it.

I'm guessing the same could be said about Nikon sensor and IBIS. The point of having the camera on is to keep the sensor centered with the IBIS system, preventing wiggles, and accidental spills in covered parts where some moisture could get.

so leave the camera and IBIS turned ON when cleaning the sensor
 
MJ_Photo38 said:
On Fujifilm cameras, the IBIS isn't locked either.

When cleaning sensors, Fujifilm technicians leave the camera ON with the IBIS ON, so that the sensor won't wiggle around when you put a swab on it.

I'm guessing the same could be said about Nikon sensor and IBIS. The point of having the camera on is to keep the sensor centered with the IBIS system, preventing wiggles, and accidental spills in covered parts where some moisture could get.

so leave the camera and IBIS turned ON when cleaning the sensor
Click to expand...
That's very revealing. And I agree; I presume the same for the ZF. I have written to Nikon Australia again about this but I'm not holding my breath waiting for an answer! lol.

Maybe if anyone has already cleaned their ZF sensor they could tell us how they went about it?
 
MJ_Photo38 said:
On Fujifilm cameras, the IBIS isn't locked either.

When cleaning sensors, Fujifilm technicians leave the camera ON with the IBIS ON, so that the sensor won't wiggle around when you put a swab on it.

I'm guessing the same could be said about Nikon sensor and IBIS. The point of having the camera on is to keep the sensor centered with the IBIS system, preventing wiggles, and accidental spills in covered parts where some moisture could get.

so leave the camera and IBIS turned ON when cleaning the sensor
Click to expand...
Hmm.. OK that's a bit interesting (not doubting it) but I have heard of some people damaging their IBIS system by accidentally leaving their Z cameras on with IBIS enabled (this was with cameras other than the Zf).
 
I will probably try Nikon's cleaning service once and see how it goes (probably do it during a time when I know I won't need the camera for say a month or can use another camera as a backup).

I have done wet cleanings on the rest of my cameras without issues (knock on wood) but those are more straightforward (turn off and the IBIS mechanism locks) but the Zf was a bit different so I had to ask.

I'm a little weary of leaving the camera on and IBIS enabled though to clean the sensor, unless that is how the Nikon techs do it.

I guess one thing I'm curious about, is if the camera is ON, but IBIS is off, is the sensor then locked down?
 
Not qualified to answer you question as to what is best, but just from an observation stand point.

Checked my zf, without a lens the VR option is greyed out and set to off. There doesn’t seem to me an option to turn it off/on.

Looking at the sensor while turning it on, it moves from resting on the rail to centered in the frame and no longer clunks as you move the camera.
 
Last edited:
sirhawkeye64 said:
RWN Photo said:
sirhawkeye64 said:
Before anyone jumps in and says that Nikon says to send it in, I know that. But for the times when I might need to wet clean on location (like when traveling) what is the recommended procedure... as to not damage the IBIS mechanism since it doesn't lock when powered off?
Click to expand...
If Nikon says "Don't. Send it to an authorized dealer for cleaning"...

Then that would BE the recommend procedure... no?
Click to expand...
Yes but they say that for EVERY camera. I would guess than at least half on here don't send their cameras back to Nikon (either clean it themselves or take it to a store and have them do it). They say that for liability reasons mainly. I've had some reps of the years even say "I'm supposed to tell you to send it back, but I don't personally myself."
Click to expand...
Not saying what some percentage is of who send sit in, or has someone do the cleaning that won't void anything.

But what do people do, instead of following the advice of Nikon, for a camera like the 7 series or Z8? They have IBIS, without a "never locked" sensor? Camera off, thus sensor is locked, on those, right? So the difference with this Zf is that someone with knowledge told someone that the camera should on?
 
OK this is my latest feedback from Nikon Australia

Quote:

Thank you for contacting our support team. You are most correct that the IBIS would be required to be active as to allowing the sensor to be locked in position during the clean.

End quote
 
thayes15 said:
OK this is my latest feedback from Nikon Australia

Quote:

Thank you for contacting our support team. You are most correct that the IBIS would be required to be active as to allowing the sensor to be locked in position during the clean.

End quote
Click to expand...
Interesting... I wonder if they made it so that if the camera is perhaps flat and not moving, it stay "locked" with IBIS until the camera is moved probably. A bit opposite for those that have sensor sleds that lock down. I'll probably pay the local store to clean it, and just keep this in the back of my mind in case I have to in an emergency.
 
Yes I think Ill do the same but in case of emergency this is minimum requirement!
 
sirhawkeye64 said:
thayes15 said:
OK this is my latest feedback from Nikon Australia

Quote:

Thank you for contacting our support team. You are most correct that the IBIS would be required to be active as to allowing the sensor to be locked in position during the clean.

End quote
Click to expand...
Interesting... I wonder if they made it so that if the camera is perhaps flat and not moving, it stay "locked" with IBIS until the camera is moved probably. A bit opposite for those that have sensor sleds that lock down. I'll probably pay the local store to clean it, and just keep this in the back of my mind in case I have to in an emergency.
Click to expand...
As them how they are going to clean it. Probably say that they will turn it off!

Bob P.
 
Petruska said:
sirhawkeye64 said:
thayes15 said:
OK this is my latest feedback from Nikon Australia

Quote:

Thank you for contacting our support team. You are most correct that the IBIS would be required to be active as to allowing the sensor to be locked in position during the clean.

End quote
Click to expand...
Interesting... I wonder if they made it so that if the camera is perhaps flat and not moving, it stay "locked" with IBIS until the camera is moved probably. A bit opposite for those that have sensor sleds that lock down. I'll probably pay the local store to clean it, and just keep this in the back of my mind in case I have to in an emergency.
Click to expand...
As them how they are going to clean it. Probably say that they will turn it off!

Bob P.
Click to expand...
I think I did ask and they said it was the same procedure as the Canon's which also don't lock down the sensor, but I'll ask the Nikon rep the procedure (even though again, he'll tell me to send it in as well).
 
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