cleaning sensors

My sensor is so dirty - dust that shows up in some images, depending on aperture setting, is quite obvious.

Any suggestions / precautions for cleaning. Have been told only let the pro's do it, about $100 (aussie)

Any options
--
Pete

--
...been b@nned 7.5 times and counting!

Peter, - do a search on CCD cleaning in the Nikon SLR forum.

-paul (in Sydney!)

Peter Thornton said:

My sensor is so dirty - dust that shows up in some images,
depending on aperture setting, is quite obvious.

Any suggestions / precautions for cleaning. Have been told only
let the pro's do it, about $100 (aussie)

Any options
--
Pete

Click to expand...

--
paul szilard
[email protected]

Try this link:

Peter Thornton said:

My sensor is so dirty - dust that shows up in some images,
depending on aperture setting, is quite obvious.

Any suggestions / precautions for cleaning. Have been told only
let the pro's do it, about $100 (aussie)

Any options
--
Pete

Click to expand...

Peter

I tried searching Oz for sensor swabs and $154 for 12 was the cheapest. Following is a link http://theswampbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=763 that I have tried which works using Isopropyl Alchohol (must be pure from chemist, they have to mix it for you, can't be bought off the shelf) and johnson pure cotton wool buds, total cost $6.00 Aus.

First test the isopropyl on a lens filter to make sure when it dries there is no cloudy residue left (if there is a residue the liquid is not pure), and be gentle when swiping the sensor.

hope this helps

Peter Thornton said:

My sensor is so dirty - dust that shows up in some images,
depending on aperture setting, is quite obvious.

Any suggestions / precautions for cleaning. Have been told only
let the pro's do it, about $100 (aussie)

Any options
--
Pete

Click to expand...

--Forget senors swabs. Expensive and not very effective. Not enough support.

solution. http://www.2filter.com/prices/products/eclipse.html

Make your own device. Should cost you less that $20 for a life time supply of cleaning.

JoeR

jordos said:

Peter

I tried searching Oz for sensor swabs and $154 for 12 was the
cheapest. Following is a link
http://theswampbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=763 that I
have tried which works using Isopropyl Alchohol (must be pure from
chemist, they have to mix it for you, can't be bought off the
shelf) and johnson pure cotton wool buds, total cost $6.00 Aus.

First test the isopropyl on a lens filter to make sure when it
dries there is no cloudy residue left (if there is a residue the
liquid is not pure), and be gentle when swiping the sensor.

hope this helps

Click to expand...

For God's sake don't follow this guy's advise!!! Isoprpyl has water and will leave water drops, specks. Cotton swabs? might as well use Q-tips and scratch the hell out of everything and leave lint strings.

The solution is Methonal and peck pads!

Claeaning by Thom: http://www.bythom.com/cleaning.htm

--
M. Haner
Bellingham,WA.

You can get pure ethanol cheaply too: just look for "Everclear" which is pure ethanol. The only reason it's not 200 proof is because it sucks water out of the air. It's 95% pure (the rest is water).

You might also find it under the brand name "Crystal Clear" 195 proof alcohol.

Jordos--check the manual. It recommends either Eclipse solution or 95% pure ethanol.

Anthony

jordos said:

Peter

I tried searching Oz for sensor swabs and $154 for 12 was the
cheapest. Following is a link
http://theswampbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=763 that I
have tried which works using Isopropyl Alchohol (must be pure from
chemist, they have to mix it for you, can't be bought off the
shelf) and johnson pure cotton wool buds, total cost $6.00 Aus.

First test the isopropyl on a lens filter to make sure when it
dries there is no cloudy residue left (if there is a residue the
liquid is not pure), and be gentle when swiping the sensor.

hope this helps

Click to expand...

JoeR said:

Peter Thornton said:

My sensor is so dirty - dust that shows up in some images,
depending on aperture setting, is quite obvious.

Any suggestions / precautions for cleaning. Have been told only
let the pro's do it, about $100 (aussie)

Any options
--
Pete

Click to expand...

--Forget senors swabs. Expensive and not very effective. Not enough
support.

solution. http://www.2filter.com/prices/products/eclipse.html

Make your own device. Should cost you less that $20 for a life time
supply of cleaning.

JoeR

Click to expand...

Methanol is a must, otherwise you will get streaks - use Eclipse. As for the swabs there are some really good guides out there. People using plastic spatulas covered with a pec pad (lint free medical wipes).

Remember to drop the CR3s out otherwise the CCD will still be charged and attract the dirt like a magnet at a car breakers!! Make sure you have well charged AA's or better power it up with 5v - you don't want the mirror falling back due to power failure. You can use a moderate amount of pressure. Sweep one way, use the other side of the pad on the way back.

Also, don't seek perfection, if most of the dirt is clear leave it at that.

It's scarry first time, but gets a lot easier like most things in life.

Holmesy

Yes, that first time is a bit 'scary'!. I use the spatula with pec pads/eclipse - Instead of a spatula, how about one of thos small foam paintbrushes, wrapped with a pad? The tip 'gives' and seems to me would do a better job that the stiff tip of the spatula.
Bill

There's a caveat on this advice. You should try the mirror test first, because Everclear in not lab alcohol. Their distilling procedures will permit many more impurities than would a reagent grade ethanol. I have tried using what I thought was pure ethanol, consumer grade (liquor store Everclear-type--although not Everclear itself) and placing a few drops on the mirror did leave a residue.

Even though they are expensive, the Eclipse Optic Cleaning System is much cheaper than a new sensor.

My S2 came from the factory with a built-in wooly bugger, and rather than send it back, I just got some Eclipse and followed the instructions. Result: No residue, no scratches and no wooly bugger.

The sensor swabs are the most expensive part of the kit, because the liquid will last a lifetime (defined as the length of time any sane human being would engage in this craft). The swabs are about $5 each, and can be had over the Internet in fewer quantities than the bundle you get with the kit. And, you won't likely need to use them very frequently anyway.

I occassionally shoot into a dim white light and then blow the image up in PS to determine if I've been trolling for lint.

Hope this (and all the other sage and semi-sage advice helps.

Anthony said:

You might also find it under the brand name "Crystal Clear" 195
proof alcohol.

Jordos--check the manual. It recommends either Eclipse solution or
95% pure ethanol.

Anthony

jordos said:

Peter

I tried searching Oz for sensor swabs and $154 for 12 was the
cheapest. Following is a link
http://theswampbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=763 that I
have tried which works using Isopropyl Alchohol (must be pure from
chemist, they have to mix it for you, can't be bought off the
shelf) and johnson pure cotton wool buds, total cost $6.00 Aus.

First test the isopropyl on a lens filter to make sure when it
dries there is no cloudy residue left (if there is a residue the
liquid is not pure), and be gentle when swiping the sensor.

hope this helps

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

You shouldn't be putting whole drops onto the mirror! 95% pure ethanol will pull water and (anything in the water) right out of the air and leave residue if you put whole drops on. Using the sensor wipe that's been moistened creates a thin layer of ethanol which evaporates without leaving a residue.

I doubt that there's impurities to speak of in Everclear. Try burning some (carefully) and the flame is clear. There's absolutely nothing in it but alcohol. If there was anything there, there would be a color to the flame.

Check the manual and you'll see that 95% ethanol is okay.

Anthony

Gabriel ET said:

Even though they are expensive, the Eclipse Optic Cleaning System
is much cheaper than a new sensor.

My S2 came from the factory with a built-in wooly bugger, and
rather than send it back, I just got some Eclipse and followed the
instructions. Result: No residue, no scratches and no wooly bugger.

The sensor swabs are the most expensive part of the kit, because
the liquid will last a lifetime (defined as the length of time any
sane human being would engage in this craft). The swabs are about
$5 each, and can be had over the Internet in fewer quantities than
the bundle you get with the kit. And, you won't likely need to use
them very frequently anyway.

I occassionally shoot into a dim white light and then blow the
image up in PS to determine if I've been trolling for lint.

Hope this (and all the other sage and semi-sage advice helps.

Anthony said:

You might also find it under the brand name "Crystal Clear" 195
proof alcohol.

Jordos--check the manual. It recommends either Eclipse solution or
95% pure ethanol.

Anthony

jordos said:

Peter

I tried searching Oz for sensor swabs and $154 for 12 was the
cheapest. Following is a link
http://theswampbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=763 that I
have tried which works using Isopropyl Alchohol (must be pure from
chemist, they have to mix it for you, can't be bought off the
shelf) and johnson pure cotton wool buds, total cost $6.00 Aus.

First test the isopropyl on a lens filter to make sure when it
dries there is no cloudy residue left (if there is a residue the
liquid is not pure), and be gentle when swiping the sensor.

hope this helps

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Peter Thornton said:

My sensor is so dirty - dust that shows up in some images,
depending on aperture setting, is quite obvious.

Any suggestions / precautions for cleaning. Have been told only
let the pro's do it, about $100 (aussie)

Any options
--
Pete

Click to expand...

--Down here in OZ nobody seem to know what Pecpads are. I bought a packet of lint free medical wipes, but haven't used them so far. I also got a bottle of anhydrous methanol from a laboratory supplies house. A blower brush, without the brush, has cleaned all the muck from my ccd so far, but I guess that one day I will have to bite the bullet. I tried canned air on my S1 once and had to send the camera back to Fuji to get the residue off, luckily the camera was still under warranty so got it done for free. Might wait till my S2 is nearly out of warranty and try Fuji again.

eric burrows

Holmesy said:

Sweep one way, use the other
side of the pad on the way back.

Also, don't seek perfection, if most of the dirt is clear leave it
at that.

It's scarry first time, but gets a lot easier like most things in
life.

Holmesy

Click to expand...

I don't want to look picky, but the instructions on page 111 clearly state you should swipe twice in the same direction, using each side of the swab once. I guess so that you do not drag specks of dust back onto the sensor. In any case, use the best stuff available even if it looks silly expensive, and stick to recommended methods IMHO.

--
JohnnyBGood

eric burrows said:

Peter Thornton said:

My sensor is so dirty - dust that shows up in some images,
depending on aperture setting, is quite obvious.

Any suggestions / precautions for cleaning. Have been told only
let the pro's do it, about $100 (aussie)

Any options
--
Pete

Click to expand...

--Down here in OZ nobody seem to know what Pecpads are. I bought a
packet of lint free medical wipes, but haven't used them so far. I
also got a bottle of anhydrous methanol from a laboratory supplies
house. A blower brush, without the brush, has cleaned all the muck
from my ccd so far, but I guess that one day I will have to bite
the bullet. I tried canned air on my S1 once and had to send the
camera back to Fuji to get the residue off, luckily the camera was
still under warranty so got it done for free. Might wait till my S2
is nearly out of warranty and try Fuji again.

eric burrows

Click to expand...

--warranty. the problem is i would have to send mine to melbourne from brisbane and they want it for 2 weeks. there is a camera repair place in brisbane who will do iut for me but i havent got a price yet.

I have got rid of most dust using the blower brush without the brush. in fact on the weekend i had a speck that looked like a curl of cotton (obviously much smaller) and that just blew off the mirror not actually the ccd. I am too worried to clean the sensor myself apart from just blowing it.
Vera

Peter Thornton said:

My sensor is so dirty - dust that shows up in some images,
depending on aperture setting, is quite obvious.

Any suggestions / precautions for cleaning. Have been told only
let the pro's do it, about $100 (aussie)

Any options
--
Pete

Click to expand...

--
Vera

This works... you'll be here sooner or later

Peter Thornton said:

My sensor is so dirty - dust that shows up in some images,
depending on aperture setting, is quite obvious.

Any suggestions / precautions for cleaning. Have been told only
let the pro's do it, about $100 (aussie)

Any options
--
Pete

Click to expand...

--
Greg S

Peter Thornton said:

My sensor is so dirty - dust that shows up in some images,
depending on aperture setting, is quite obvious.

Any suggestions / precautions for cleaning. Have been told only
let the pro's do it, about $100 (aussie)

Any options
--
Pete

Click to expand...

Hi There,

For those Oz people out there you can get both Pec Pads and Elipse from Nulab in Braeside Vic. http://www.nulab.com.au

The first time I cleaned my sensor ( Spatu-swab method ) I nearly had heart failure but in reality its not too difficult.......just a necessary part of shooting digital

Ps.. This is my first post..

Kind Regards to all who contribute such a wealth of information.

Mike

Peter Thornton said:

My sensor is so dirty - dust that shows up in some images,
depending on aperture setting, is quite obvious.

Any suggestions / precautions for cleaning. Have been told only
let the pro's do it, about $100 (aussie)

Any options
--
Pete

Click to expand...

When i talked with fuji....they recommend Sensor Swabs. I bought it but have not used it. I just want to have for when i need it. Sensor Swabs are made by Photographic Solutions, inc. 508-759-2322. They are located at 7 Granston Way, Buzzards Bay, MA 02532. These swabs are used with their Eclipse Optic Cleaner...the web site is http://www.photosol.com
good luck, allen

jordos said:

Peter

I tried searching Oz for sensor swabs and $154 for 12 was the
cheapest. Following is a link
http://theswampbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=763 that I
have tried which works using Isopropyl Alchohol (must be pure from
chemist, they have to mix it for you, can't be bought off the
shelf) and johnson pure cotton wool buds, total cost $6.00 Aus.

First test the isopropyl on a lens filter to make sure when it
dries there is no cloudy residue left (if there is a residue the
liquid is not pure), and be gentle when swiping the sensor.

hope this helps

Click to expand...

I bought my sensor swabs from Pro Angle http://www.proanglephoto.com I boughta pack of 12 sensor swabs for 48.00 and a bottle of the Eclipse Optic Cleaner for 8.00 i have not idea if this is a good price or not...just passing on the info...good luck, allen