Taking the Plunge - Doing a Sensor Clean

[kipper]

Hey all. Well I just popped around the corner to Nulabs from work. Bought myself Sensor Swabs Type 2, PecPads 4x4 and Eclipse Fluid to attack my sensor and get rid of the nasty impurities on it. I've read the sensor swab website and they pretty much say do the following:

1. Go to a fairly dust free environment (I added this bit)
2. Drink some alcohol, preferably a glass of red (not mentioned on the Sensor Swab site)
3. Remove lense
4. Envoke the MLU
5. Turn camera on an angle so that the sensor is facing down
6. Use blower to remove any dust
7. Remove sensor swab from bag
8. Put 1-2 drops of eclipse fluid on swab
9. Turn camera so that the sensor is facing upwards
10. Wipe swab firmly horizontally across sensor
11. Wipe back the other direction
12. Check for any imperfections in cleaning. If smeared repeat process.
13. Return mirror to normal position
14. Cleaning done


Is that about it in a nutshell? Do any of you have any additional advice that you've come across in your experience?


Editted Inserted step 2

[boxerboy]

I had trouble getting past step 2.

[Glen]

Kipper, try to use just one drop and after step 11, the only real way to check is: reassemble camera, take shot with a small aperture, stick on pc, check and repeat from step 3 if there is still dust. Good luck

[birddog114]

Kipper, try to use just one drop and after step 11, the only real way to check is: reassemble camera, take shot with a small aperture, stick on pc, check and repeat from step 3 if there is still dust. Good luck

No, not correct techniques! please start again from step two:
Required hafl a bottle of Red as St Henry 85 or Henscke Hills Of Grace or something similar

[MCWB]

Actually I'd check for DBs after step 6 as well: you may find the blower removes enough DBs for you to not bother with the sensor swipes. Just point to the sky, f/22 and see.

[kipper]

Nah MCWB, I've been using it in UK and France for 3months and have taken the lenses off umptine times while there. Also I've tried using the blower and I can see what appears to be moisture spots on the sensor. Probably where I did something that some idiot in a magazine said you could do. Please let this be a note to all, don't trust anybody in a magazine. Especially when they say "Blow on it with your mouth". This technique while removing dust usually ends up leaving a fairbit of moisture. Which make for a nice resting zone for the DBs to fallback onto the sensor and become stuck on.


Btw, I hope Nikon reads this website and in future invest part of their budget into coming up with a charge free sensor that doesn't attract DBs. I'm sure if they could find a way to make a "shield" over the sensor that repells DBs.

[BBJ]

Kipper, mate i was too sweating like u wouldn't believe and thought well it has to be done and well after doing it, was a big relief but then i went wow that wasn't so bad, hell all that worry for something that was just a 2 min job. Took me longer to rap the bloody pec pad on the swab i made out of plastic spatular than to do a swipe and get rid of my bunnies.
Cheers
John

[kipper]

BBJ, I have Sensor Swabs aswell a PecPads. Might look at ripping off the material on the Sensor Swabs and keeping one of them to use as a spatula for when I run out of them.

[SoCal Steve]

The 2nd step of the original post sounds like the old advice for dealing with a crying, teething baby.

1. Pour a glass of Scotch.
2. Dip your finger in it and rub some on the baby's gums.
3. Drink the rest.

[birddog114]

BBJ, I have Sensor Swabs aswell a PecPads. Might look at ripping off the material on the Sensor Swabs and keeping one of them to use as a spatula for when I run out of them.

Hey! Electrician! where your screwdriver with the head of 12 or 13mm! Those will do the job for you.

[BBJ]

Yeh mate well i havent seen them but like i said i brought some cheapy plastic one from woolies seem to do the job. It worked well so that was even better for a peice of cheap plastic that i adapted. We dont have those type of placed over here that you can go and buy these sensor swabs. But after you have done it you will say that wasn't that bad and will wonder why you haven't done it before.

[birddog114]

Hey! SensorSwab #2 $145.00 for 12 lolypops

[BBJ]

i paid like $2 for 3 plastic spatulars. cooking ones.

[birddog114]

i paid like $2 for 3 plastic spatulars. cooking ones.

Too expensive!

Go to McDonald and get them FOC

[BBJ]

No good Birdy, would cost me more because if the kids new i was going there i would be lumbered with order of some sort so would cost me more and well i dont eat that crap anyhow.LOL

[kipper]

Actually Nulabs selling Sensor Swab Type 2 for $88.

Sensor Swab #2
$88

PecPads 4x4 Pack 100
$18

Eclipse Fluid 59ml (including 10 pecpads - didn't realise until got home)
$25

Total Cost $131

[birddog114]

Actually Nulabs selling Sensor Swab Type 2 for $88.

They dropped their price lately, they used to sell $145.00.

[fozzie]

kipper,

I am waiting here in suspense. How you performed the operation or are drinking the red wine to settle the nerves before starting .

Cheers,

[Manta]

You're not the only one waiting Fozzie......

I'm already onto my second bottle with the whole suspense thing really getting to me. Guess #1 daughter will be walking to ballet class tonight...

[kipper]

I'm sort of concerned because after the wipe I noticed quite a few dots on the sensor. It was dinner time so I went and had that, to return to finish the job. About to check sensor now.

[kipper]

Yep, lots of little dots all over the sensor. Should I redo it again and apply more pressure this time? I sort of held a bit of pressure on it but not lots.

[sirhc55]

Kipper - when you first do the cleaning it often needs two maybe even three swipes - but use a new pec-pad each time - don’t use the pad more than once each side.

[fozzie]

Manta,

You're not the only one waiting Fozzie......

I'm already onto my second bottle with the whole suspense thing really getting to me. Guess #1 daughter will be walking to ballet class tonight...

I think you have a drinking problem .

By the sounds of it, I think kipper is about to lift the cork on the third bottle.

Cheerio,

[leek]

I'm already onto my second bottle with the whole suspense thing really getting to me.

Golly... and it's an hour earlier in Brisbane

[kipper]

Meh, starting to get concerned I can't get these specs off.

[Manta]

Sorry Kipper - I certainly didn't mean to make light of your situation. I haven't done a sensor clean myself but I think I, too, would be somewhat anxious at this point. I'm sure what Chris says is right - it might take more than a few passes.

[kipper]

It's been my 4-5th pass of the sensor!

[MHD]

my first time took 10+

[kipper]

Good news is I got the spot off.

Bad news the top left of sensor there is a small 1mm wide by about 0.001mm thick line. Hope I haven't scratched the sensor.

[kipper]

For some reason I think I'm not getting anywhere. What do you think?

<a href="http://www.morganpost.com/Dust.jpg">click here</a>

[birddog114]

For some reason I think I'm not getting anywhere. What do you think?

<a href="http://www.morganpost.com/Dust.jpg">click here</a>

Easy! Repack Pec*Pad, Sensor Swab + Eclipse fluid, bring them back to Nulabs, requesting money back due to your stuff did not do my job, as advertised:lol:
Book a return ticket with Virgin Blue to Sydney, and we will do free for you.

[kipper]

Hehehe....tempted

Greg B, oi.....we need to start up a Melbourne workshop! Can't you be Mr Poon's other offsider and have lots of Nikon gear to play with?

[birddog114]

Kipper,
how big is your blower?
None of blower in Australia which I saw is suitable for the CCD cleaning!
If the blower is not enough big then will blow dust around the chamber and you haven't done the good blow job prior to clean it Get it blow all the dust first in correct way and use the Pec*Pad, have I told you: use the screwdriver with 12-13mm head in your toolbox?

[wile_E]

Well, blow me away, I've found myself a dust bunny!! Smack bang in the middle of the sensor too...

*grumble* *mutter* *grumble*

Birddog, whats your supply of pads & cleaning solution like?

[birddog114]

Well, blow me away, I've found myself a dust bunny!! Smack bang in the middle of the sensor too...

*grumble* *mutter* *grumble*

Birddog, whats your supply of pads & cleaning solution like?

Stock is healthy, come to saturday and someone will help you.

[kipper]

Its called Jumbo and is about the size of a tennis ball.

For $88 I think photographic solutions could of put in 100 swabs. I think I might need them

[MATT]

Kipper I had the same problem, the more I cleaned the worse it got.

But keep it up eventually you get it clean.

First time is a b***h.

MATT

[birddog114]

Its called Jumbo and is about the size of a tennis ball.

It's too small! and wrong design! that why you got more dust

[wile_E]

Thanks Birddog - I'll try to pop by this weekend!

[kipper]

Nup, I'm going to send away to Maxwells to get it cleaned. I can't be f#@ked doing it anymore. Plus I already feel like I might have damaged the ccd as there is a mark that seems to never want to come off no matter how many pecpads and fluid I use. Also the amount of spots/dust seems to be multiplying.

[birddog114]

Nup, I'm going to send away to Maxwells to get it cleaned. I can't be f#@ked doing it anymore. Plus I already feel like I might have damaged the ccd as there is a mark that seems to never want to come off no matter how many pecpads and fluid I use. Also the amount of spots/dust seems to be multiplying.

You're looking for 3 weeks turn around time, if you ship from Mel.

[kipper]

Well it's better then damaging the ccd isn't it.

[birddog114]

Well it's better then damaging the ccd isn't it.

Pls. re-read the previously posts, fly up here this Saturday and we do it free for you, then you'll have the camera for the GP1. No joke mate! I'm serious.

[Glen]

Kipper, go to part 2, crack the red, then look at it tomorrow. One of my cleans went like yours, then the next was 5 mins. Don't worry, be happy It will work for you

[kipper]

Well there is still no gaurantee that I haven't damaged the sensor as there is a section of the glass which is normally green but in this area it's like a line that is yellowish. When looking at an image taken of a white wall you can see where this is.

[birddog114]

Well there is still no gaurantee that I haven't damaged the sensor as there is a section of the glass which is normally green but in this area it's like a line that is yellowish. When looking at an image taken of a white wall you can see where this is.

Are you listening, kipper?

[kipper]

Yes I am, and I'm thinking about it. Just scared that I've damaged $1200 worth of camera.

[leek]

Hey Kipper,

I've watched this saga unfold all evening and feel for you... I've not cleaned it myself yet and am dreading the moment...

Maybe there are some other Melbournites who are familiar with cleaning who could help out...

If all else fails, maybe Gary or one of the others can have a go at it in Melbourne b4 the Grand Prix

Good luck...

[christiand]

I've just cleaned my CCD again.
I cut a pecpad in half and used 1.5 cut up pecpads (3 goes) and everything is clean but for an almost pixel size spec (couldn't be bothered)
It can become very easy and simple once you relax.
It is like martial arts ...

Cheers
CD

[birddog114]

Yes I am, and I'm thinking about it. Just scared that I've damaged $1200 worth of camera.

Nothing loose mate! if you come up here, we can't clean it off, I can pass it to Maxwell on Monday and ask them personally help my camera (I pretend that is my camera)