CCD cleaning - different method

[Flyer]

After reading many posts regarding dust removal from CCD sensor I decided to try Sensor Brush™ from http://www.visibledust.com/
I have purchased Sensor Brush & Touchup Brush SB1010B for total cost of $51.95 USD (that included delivery to Oz)
I have tried them for the first time today & am very impressed with the results.
The whole process took less then 5 minutes and although there are still few specks of dust left great majority were removed.
Here is before shot:

Here one after cleaning:

Although I believe you will still need sensor swabs with Eclipse cleaning fluid (or similar) to remove stubborn dust particles Sensor Brush seems like a good alternative for quick cleanups.

[birddog114]

I have these toys as well but it's not efficiently works as I wished. That was my first cleaning gear with my trusty D100 on the trip to AMARC, Tucson, AZ. There were dry, dusty and humidity in the centre of dessert. The airfield with thousand and thousand of USAF surplus aircrafts.
It's only as a temporary tools in the field or emergency case, it works similar with the Giotto Rocket Air, it remove loose dust on the CCD but when come in term of some hard parts got stuck on the CCD then we need the Sensor Swab + Pec*Pad + Eclipse Fluid or other substitution.
CCD is look like a tiny mirror, with the hot weather, humidity and dust blend together, it stuck on the CCD as it glued. Only a method of cleaning by "scrubbing" with cloth, fabric with two drops of solution, then the CCD will be cleared and shiny again.

[Flyer]

Totaly agree Birddog.
Brushes seem to be a good idea for "light" cleanups.
I regards to Eclipse Fluid, I noticed Visible Dust sells Sensor Clean fluid http://www.visibledust.com/Sensorclean.htm
Have you tried it or heard much about it Birddog?
It does not contain alcohol and is non-flammable so there's no problems with shipping it through the post.
Maybe it would make a good alternative to Eclipse Fluid?

[birddog114]

Hi Flyer,
Got it and done by its way, but the result is no where near the Eclipse Fluid. Can be used as alternatively method (way).
For the past four years, I tried products that I found in the US, Canada, UK, finally I'm happy and settled with the Sensor Swab + Pec*Pad + Eclipse Fluid.
Other may have their ways to clean the CCD, perhaps more economical than the way I used.
At many main events in the US, Nikon got a service desk for loan Nikon gears and clean CCD for the Pros, especially for the NPS, I was there few times and they do used the same stuff that I have, I saw they cleaned the CCD for photog. and follow their way.

[kipper]

I need some of this stuff (blower, eclipse fluid and swabs) for my Nikon F80. The translucent screen to the view finder has a few specs of dust on them that I can see. Managed to get most of them off with lense cloth but I think I did a no-no and breathed on the screen and it has some streaking that I can see in the viewfinder.

[birddog114]

I need some of this stuff (blower, eclipse fluid and swabs) for my Nikon F80. The translucent screen to the view finder has a few specs of dust on them that I can see. Managed to get most of them off with lense cloth but I think I did a no-no and breathed on the screen and it has some streaking that I can see in the viewfinder.

Kipper,
You're in Melbourne, the best way is contact

NuLab 8-12 Venture Way, Braeside
Melbourne, Australia 3195
Phone: (03) 9588 2777
Local: 1300-303-320
International: +61-3-9588 2777

To get the eclipse fluid and Pec*Pad from them.
They sell the SensorSwab $145.00/ box/ 12 pops,

I have the SensorSwab for $70.00 at my cost
My price on Pec*Pad is $20.00 at my cost.

[kipper]

They're just around the corner from where I work, but ouch!

Like I said in my post I only have an F80 at the moment so I'm wondering if it's really necessary to use these products for the translucent screen to the viewfinder. I am planning on getting a D70 very soon but it all comes down to how long I need these products after initial purchase and what sort of shelf-life they have.

[Onyx]

Kipper - you might wanna try cassette head cleaner fluid and tissue/cloth, if it's only the viewfinder (and not CCD).

[kipper]

Well from my understanding of the Nikon F80 is that it's the translucent screen inside the camera that goes upto where the viewfinder is located.

It's definately not the mirror, and when I've wiped the translucent screen the dirt is either removed or just moved around.

Do traditional SLRs have CCDs? Sorry, I'm a bit of a beginner when it comes to the parts of the camera.

[birddog114]

SLR does not have the CCD.
A good clean will remove all the dirt and dust, I've done with my F5.

[kipper]

Yeah thought as much. The CCD is just a photo sensitive IC that converts the spectrums of light into a digital value. Alls good

[gstark]

Is the focussing screen removable/replaceable in your camera? I know it is in many of the film SLRs,and a couple of the DSLRs too, I believe.

If it is, you could remove it from the camera and give it a good bath.

So to speak.