spatula width for wet clean

[samester]

i've often wondered why ppl use a spatula that is smaller than the width of the CCD to swipe forward, move down and swipe back.

is there any reason why a full width spatula and a single pass isn't more commonly seen or is everyone a copper hill copy cat

[Alex]

i've often wondered why ppl use a spatula that is smaller than the width of the CCD to swipe forward, move down and swipe back.

is there any reason why a full width spatula and a single pass isn't more commonly seen or is everyone a copper hill copy cat

samester,

My guess is it would be very hard to have it of exactly the same fitting size. Also, you want to clean at the edges of the sensor on left and right hand sides. To do that you need to have a downward movement of somesort - can't be done easily with an exact-size spatula.

Alex

[birddog114]

Pls. note: Nikon CCD is 14mm width, so any homemade spatula with 14mm is worked well.
And Copperhill spatula is 14mm width, need two passes to clean the CCD, one pass may not well cleaned btw.

[Aussie Dave]

Does anyone have the Copperhill Sensor Cleaning Kit (or spatula) and how have they found it to use ??

[birddog114]

Does anyone have the Copperhill Sensor Cleaning Kit (or spatula) and how have they found it to use ??

I have the SensorSwipe and made myself one with the Gloria Jeans coffee spatula, and it works like a champ. Nothing wrong with it.

[Alex]

Does anyone have the Copperhill Sensor Cleaning Kit (or spatula) and how have they found it to use ??

Hi Dave. I got on off him ages ago. An excellent and easy to use tool. Cheap also. Very pleasant guy to deal with.

Alex

[Aussie Dave]

Hi Dave. I got one off him ages ago. An excellent and easy to use tool. Cheap also. Very pleasant guy to deal with.

Alex

Hi Alex
"him" as in Birdy ??
and "one" as in the Gloria Jeans version ?

[Matt. K]

A 8 or 9mm spautula is best. You need to be able to drop it down for the wipeback. Also, the spatula should be slightly tapered so that it is wider at the top edge...yes, the cleaning edge. This will enable you to get it right on the edge of the CCD. If the taper goes the other way then the edge will never get wiped.

[Alex]

Hi Dave. I got one off him ages ago. An excellent and easy to use tool. Cheap also. Very pleasant guy to deal with.

Alex

Hi Alex
"him" as in Birdy ??
and "one" as in the Gloria Jeans version ?

No, I thought you were talking about http://www.copperhillimages.com. I was referring to Nicholas and the proper tool

Alex

[fozzie]

Dave,

Does anyone have the Copperhill Sensor Cleaning Kit (or spatula) and how have they found it to use ??

I do have the Copperhill spatula (14mm) and after about 4 attempts I finally got the sensor clean. It is like all things new, just took a little while to get into the swing of it I am now a seasoned 'CCD' cleaner and proud of it

Birddog normally carries all the cleaning equipment with the exception of the spatula, so pay a visit to Gloria Jeans or try here

[Aussie Dave]

Dave,

Does anyone have the Copperhill Sensor Cleaning Kit (or spatula) and how have they found it to use ??

I do have the Copperhill spatula (14mm) and after about 4 attempts I finally got the sensor clean. It is like all things new, just took a little while to get into the swing of it I am now a seasoned 'CCD' cleaner and proud of it

Birddog normally carries all the cleaning equipment with the exception of the spatula, so pay a visit to Gloria Jeans or try here

Cheers Fozzie.

I have actually been eyeing off the Copperhill Kit at QualityCameras. Just didn't want to outlay the money before finding out if others were happy with the kit.

Sounds like it works just fine, so I might try and talk the wife into letting me buy it

[Alex]

Dave,

Does anyone have the Copperhill Sensor Cleaning Kit (or spatula) and how have they found it to use ??

I do have the Copperhill spatula (14mm) and after about 4 attempts I finally got the sensor clean. It is like all things new, just took a little while to get into the swing of it I am now a seasoned 'CCD' cleaner and proud of it

Birddog normally carries all the cleaning equipment with the exception of the spatula, so pay a visit to Gloria Jeans or try here

Hi Dave,

I suggest you try direct first. May be cheaper. Took 3 days to arrive from the US.

Alex
Cheers Fozzie.

I have actually been eyeing off the Copperhill Kit at QualityCameras. Just didn't want to outlay the money before finding out if others were happy with the kit.

Sounds like it works just fine, so I might try and talk the wife into letting me buy it

[waspo]

Dave,
I was after the 14mm spatula on it's own, but it looks like they only sell them in kit form. A bit exspensive for my liking so I just cut down a cheap rubber spatula from Coles and it works a treat. I had to clean the sensor, not from changing lenses, but because the sensor was dirty straight from the factory.
It took a few goes to totally clean, but I got there in the end and now I don't have any blotches in pic's over f/16 and up. It's still clean even after changing lense's, so I can't see dust being a very high factor.

[birddog114]

I'm wondering why so many of you guy worrying a home made spatula,
does it harm to your CCD? Is it not compliant to the photographic industry?
Make yourself one from many sources and you'll see a big smile on your face.

[Aussie Dave]

Thanks for the comments everyone. I actually placed the order for the Copperhill Cleaning Kit from QualityCameras last night.

Am I a stooge ? Possibly, but I thought what the heck. The Copperhill method seems to be a favourite so I thought their products are obviously designed to work to their method. I am sure that home-made spatulas will work just as effectively, but I guess (for me) it's easier to buy the real-deal than trying to make my own.....

Looks like the 70-200VR will just have to wait a little longer....

[waspo]

I guess you also get all the cleaning agent and cloths too, so you made a good investment. I wouldn't wait too long for the 70-200VR, apparently the prices are going through the roof!

[Aussie Dave]

I guess you also get all the cleaning agent and cloths too, so you made a good investment. I wouldn't wait too long for the 70-200VR, apparently the prices are going through the roof!

Hi Jase
yeah, I purchased the Ultimate dSLR cleaning kit, which is the sensor cleaning kit & lens cleaning kit all in one.
The Sensor kit comes with Copperhill Spatula, Eclipse fluid, pec pads, cleaning cloth, tissue book, sensor sweep (which is a brush for loose CCD dust).

The Lens Kit comes with MC Fluid (for multi-coated lenses & filters), lens tissue, retractable brush and cleaning cloth.

It certainly should give me everything I need to keep the D70 in tip-top condition