Not just Nikon

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Sensor Cleaning

Author	Post

Posted by Squarerigger: Thu Aug 30th, 2018 15:55

1^st Post

No snickering please! I purchased a Nikon D7500 last April. The wife and I traveled to Canada to see some friends and we toured the western region. Took loads of photos. As I was tossing ones I did not like and fixing some, I saw to my horror what appeared to be the planet Saturn and it's ring in the upper left portion of photos with clear blue skies. I determined it to be a piece of dust hanging on to my sensor for dear life.

Having never wet cleaned a sensor, and being a bit on the over aggressive side of the coin, I studied the literature and decided to give it a go. I was scared beyond belief. Well, I am proud to say I can now clean my sensor without total destruction of the device and now consider myself a little further up the ladder of being a photographer. :bowing:

Just to be sure, I have taken photos every hour or so and examined them to make sure I got the pesky little item. I know, a little OCD!

Nikon wanted $60 plus shipping there and back and insurance fees, not to mention turn around time of weeks.

Thanks to all the tips and help from Photographic Solutions.

____________________
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Gary

Posted by jk: Thu Aug 30th, 2018 16:44

2^nd Post

Gary, We have a cleaning technique here on the forum.

____________________
Still learning after all these years!
https://nikondslr.uk/gallery_view.php?user=2&folderid=none

Posted by Robert: Thu Aug 30th, 2018 16:52

3^rd Post

Well I have avoided sensor cleaning like the plague.

I tried to clean my D1 sensor years ago and made a right mess of it. I ended up spraying IsoPropyl Alcohol (IPA) directly into the mirror chamber to 'hose out' the resulting smears and crap. I actually still have that aerosol on my desk.

The camera went haywire for a while but once it sobered up it went back to normal. Since then I have always taken the cameras to professional technicians to do it. Either ACS in Norfolk or one of my local camera shops who take pity on me from time to time. When I get invites to Nikon NPS Roadshows they offer free sensor and lens cleaning, I always avail myself of that offer.

The first time I went to an NPS roadshow I was fascinated by watching the techniques the technicians used. There isn't a wet cleaning spatula in sight. They use long thin round wooden sticks like long toothpicks or cherry sticks, about 3mm (1/8") diameter and maybe 150mm (6") long with plain ends.

Having examined the sensor with an illuminated loupe, they use a very soft brush to brush out the mirror box and to remove any loose dust from the sensor. Then they use a small blow gun running from a small quiet compressor and blow all the muck out.

They then take a strip of lens cleaning tissue and wrap it quickly around the tip of the stick, depending on the mark, they might dip the end in a cleaning solution, or use it dry. They have two or three small dishes with different cleaning solutions in each. Another check with the loupe, repeat as needed. Final result is immaculate I have watched them clean dozens of sensors and not once have I seen them wipe a sensor across with one of those spatula sensor cleaners. They only remove individual marks or groups of marks. They sometimes rub quite hard to remove a stubborn mark.

Most of the effort is to clean the mirror chamber and shutter area. They don't use AC power supplies either, each technician has a couple of fully charged batteries and switches their own battery for the one in the body if there is one, for the cleaning process.

They only take a few minutes to clean each camera, my D3 was particularly bad and it was done very quickly, afterwards it was immaculate. The D3 sensor seems particularly prone to dust bunnies, some images it doesn't show but for others it's quite a bit of work cleaning them up.

I have taken to using a very soft brush to take out the worst offenders, when funds allow, I intend to get an illuminated loupe and a small (quiet) compressor for cleaning duties, the pressure has to be kept low, else it could wreck the shutter.

Self cleaning sensors seem to do a good job. I only have the D3300 and that gets all sorts of abuse but I haven't noticed any spots on the images.

____________________
Robert.

Posted by jk: Thu Aug 30th, 2018 16:56

4^th Post

http://www.jmknights.net/photography/downloads/files/Nikon_CCD_Cleaning_Process.doc

Just for you Gary.

____________________
Still learning after all these years!
https://nikondslr.uk/gallery_view.php?user=2&folderid=none

Posted by Eric: Thu Aug 30th, 2018 17:01

5^th Post

Well done Gary. It can be nerve racking the first time you swab a sensor.

I remember back in the day I did my D1X for the first time. I used so much solvent, the camera went weird for a few moments, flashing up strange figures on the LCD and not responding correctly. I think it was drunk!
Took the lens off, let the solvent evaporate fully and it cleared the intoxication. :wine:

Used just a couple of drops next time.

____________________
Eric

Posted by Squarerigger: Fri Aug 31st, 2018 12:51

6^th Post

I am glad I did not read you thoughts on the subject before I decided to live on the wild side. I contacted Photographic Solutions and they were very helpful and even offered to walk me through the cleaning as I was on the phone.

Robert wrote:
Well I have avoided sensor cleaning like the plague.

I tried to clean my D1 sensor years ago and made a right mess of it. I ended up spraying IsoPropyl Alcohol (IPA) directly into the mirror chamber to 'hose out' the resulting smears and crap. I actually still have that aerosol on my desk.

The camera went haywire for a while but once it sobered up it went back to normal. Since then I have always taken the cameras to professional technicians to do it. Either ACS in Norfolk or one of my local camera shops who take pity on me from time to time. When I get invites to Nikon NPS Roadshows they offer free sensor and lens cleaning, I always avail myself of that offer.

The first time I went to an NPS roadshow I was fascinated by watching the techniques the technicians used. There isn't a wet cleaning spatula in sight. They use long thin round wooden sticks like long toothpicks or cherry sticks, about 3mm (1/8") diameter and maybe 150mm (6") long with plain ends.

Having examined the sensor with an illuminated loupe, they use a very soft brush to brush out the mirror box and to remove any loose dust from the sensor. Then they use a small blow gun running from a small quiet compressor and blow all the muck out.

They then take a strip of lens cleaning tissue and wrap it quickly around the tip of the stick, depending on the mark, they might dip the end in a cleaning solution, or use it dry. They have two or three small dishes with different cleaning solutions in each. Another check with the loupe, repeat as needed. Final result is immaculate I have watched them clean dozens of sensors and not once have I seen them wipe a sensor across with one of those spatula sensor cleaners. They only remove individual marks or groups of marks. They sometimes rub quite hard to remove a stubborn mark.

Most of the effort is to clean the mirror chamber and shutter area. They don't use AC power supplies either, each technician has a couple of fully charged batteries and switches their own battery for the one in the body if there is one, for the cleaning process.

They only take a few minutes to clean each camera, my D3 was particularly bad and it was done very quickly, afterwards it was immaculate. The D3 sensor seems particularly prone to dust bunnies, some images it doesn't show but for others it's quite a bit of work cleaning them up.

I have taken to using a very soft brush to take out the worst offenders, when funds allow, I intend to get an illuminated loupe and a small (quiet) compressor for cleaning duties, the pressure has to be kept low, else it could wreck the shutter.

Self cleaning sensors seem to do a good job. I only have the D3300 and that gets all sorts of abuse but I haven't noticed any spots on the images.

____________________
--------------------------------------------
Gary

Posted by Squarerigger: Fri Aug 31st, 2018 12:55

7^th Post

Thanks JK, always helpful. I used a sensor swab whick was the same size as the sensor so it was prep camera for cleaning, wet swab and swipe one way then the other and clean as a whistle.

jk wrote:
http://www.jmknights.net/photography/downloads/files/Nikon_CCD_Cleaning_Process.doc

Just for you Gary.

____________________
--------------------------------------------
Gary

Posted by Squarerigger: Fri Aug 31st, 2018 13:00

8^th Post

Thanks Eric, the manufacturer cautioned me on the amount of solution but I can see where it would be very easy to over wet the swab. I always feel quite smug not giving extra money to Nikon if I am able.

Eric wrote:
Well done Gary. It can be nerve racking the first time you swab a sensor.

I remember back in the day I did my D1X for the first time. I used so much solvent, the camera went weird for a few moments, flashing up strange figures on the LCD and not responding correctly. I think it was drunk!
Took the lens off, let the solvent evaporate fully and it cleared the intoxication. :wine:

Used just a couple of drops next time.

____________________
--------------------------------------------
Gary

Posted by GeoffR: Fri Aug 31st, 2018 13:49

9^th Post

Leaving sensor cleaning to the professionals is all very well if you are prepared to pay the price, be without your camera for a month, risk the shipping process.

Sitting on a cruise ship in the Mediterranean isn't the ideal time or place to look for a professional. Sensor cleaning isn't difficult but it does require a steady hand and the right tools.

Posted by Robert: Fri Aug 31st, 2018 14:57

10^th Post

GeoffR wrote:
Leaving sensor cleaning to the professionals is all very well if you are prepared to pay the price, be without your camera for a month, risk the shipping process.
I used to pay ACS in Norfolk £20? to do the D1 while I waited. 20 minutes?

My local camera shop are very obliging... But they didn't triumph with the D3 sensor, despite three tries. Nikon got it immaculate first try, with no fuss and no charge.

Sitting on a cruise ship in the Mediterranean isn't the ideal time or place to look for a professional. Sensor cleaning isn't difficult but it does require a steady hand and the right tools.
Plenty time to remove the marks in post processing! LOL

I don't do steady... A mate once observed that my welding is so good because I am so doddery!

I am game for most tasks, I removed and re fitted a D1X sensor to convert it to UV, and it worked OK, but I am happy to hold up my hand and admit I steer clear of sensor cleaning.

____________________
Robert.

Posted by novicius: Mon Sep 3rd, 2018 16:39

11^th Post

I use " Sensor Swabs"...easy to travel with , always ready to use , in the plane , and everywhere else , no probs with airport security , they re cheap , Individually Packaged and can n`t go wrong as in how to use .

This is how I do it :

1) Insert FRESH battery.

2) Blower brush blows dust out the mirror box and of the sensor.

3) Open " Sensor Swab " package , then pressing down lightly,several strokes Horizontally/ Vertically over Sensor while swab still Wet ( dries up within 10-15 sec.)...then do same when Sensor-swab is dry , so as to dry the Sensor....

4) Use Blower brush to Blow off eventual particles from that dried-up swab.

It`s CHEAP ( I buy several dozen at the time ) works like a charm ,every time ,and only takes a few minutes .

____________________
Back in Danmark

I do not use my equipment to make photo`s .. I take photo`s to use my equipment

The better I become at photography,the better my camera gets.

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