I just used Scotch Tape on my Sensor!

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

04/19/2007 11:10:41 PM · #1

Well, I took the chance and employed the Scotch 'Tape' method for cleaning my 'sensor'. I am here to report that it worked like a charm.

I used real 3M Scotch 'Tape'. I took a 2-3" in piece and without touching it tried to lay it as flat as possible on the 'sensor' (the 'tape' bends onto the 'sensor' with you holding the other end). Then I gently pulled it off. I did it 3-4 times. It is a bit tough to get the edges.

Here's the result:

Message edited by author 2007-04-19 23:10:54.

deapee

Kodak V803

04/19/2007 11:12:37 PM · #2

I've been telling people this for at least a year now. Congrats. Nice, easy, and portable too...takes about 5 seconds once you're good at it and you can do it anywhere.

idnic

Canon EOS-60D

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

04/19/2007 11:13:31 PM · #3

OMG you serious? How much do you hate that camera? I can't believe it worked without residue... eventhough I've heard it works... I'm a skeptic!

04/19/2007 11:14:32 PM · #4

Originally posted by deapee:

I've been telling people this for at least a year now. Congrats. Nice, easy, and portable too...takes about 5 seconds once you're good at it and you can do it anywhere.

Ya, deapee, I'll give you credit. You were the person I heard it from. But to tell you the truth, I think you are a bit crazy at times and so didn't do it for a long time...

DjFenzl

04/19/2007 11:20:59 PM · #5

technically isn't it the hot mirror you used it on? In which case, what's the worst that could happen.

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

04/19/2007 11:24:15 PM · #6

Originally posted by Megatherian:

technically isn't it the hot mirror you used it on? In which case, what's the worst that could happen.

The hot mirror?

Cindi, I figured I could copperhill it if it didn't work. If that didn't work, then I could go visit some friends in Pittsburgh while finding deapee and strangling him with one of his many guns.

idnic

Canon EOS-60D

04/19/2007 11:27:59 PM · #7

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

Cindi, I figured I could copperhill it if it didn't work. If that didn't work, then I could go visit some friends in Pittsburgh while finding deapee and strangling him with one of his many guns.

Good point! I'm too cheap to pay for cooperhill, but the rocket blower just isn't working. Both of my cameras are filthy. I'm tempted.....

DjFenzl

04/19/2007 11:29:46 PM · #8

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

Originally posted by Megatherian:
technically isn't it the hot mirror you used it on? In which case, what's the worst that could happen.

The hot mirror?...

The glass or plastic that sits in front of the 'sensor' that blocks IR light.

Message edited by author 2007-04-19 23:32:16.

karmat

Apple iPhone 7

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM

04/19/2007 11:30:00 PM · #9

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

Originally posted by Megatherian:
technically isn't it the hot mirror you used it on? In which case, what's the worst that could happen.

The hot mirror?

Cindi, I figured I could copperhill it if it didn't work. If that didn't work, then I could go visit some friends in Pittsburgh while finding deapee and strangling him with one of his many guns.

What I want to see is you strangling him with a gun. :)

04/19/2007 11:32:41 PM · #10

Originally posted by Megatherian:

Thanks. I guess the worst is that you could scratch it.

Message edited by author 2007-04-19 23:32:57.

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

04/19/2007 11:33:14 PM · #11

Originally posted by karmat:

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

Originally posted by Megatherian:
technically isn't it the hot mirror you used it on? In which case, what's the worst that could happen.

The hot mirror?

Cindi, I figured I could copperhill it if it didn't work. If that didn't work, then I could go visit some friends in Pittsburgh while finding deapee and strangling him with one of his many guns.

What I want to see is you strangling him with a gun. :)

It would take some effort, but screwing up a 'sensor' would be worth it.

deapee

Kodak V803

04/19/2007 11:34:07 PM · #12

Hey I told you guys once...there's no need to do it yourself...and no need to come to Pittsburgh to kick my arse...Come here for the day and I'll show you around the city (or the countryside -- which isn't too far) and while we're at it, I'll clean your 'sensor' for you.

TJinGuy

Nikon Coolpix 2100

Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

04/19/2007 11:38:47 PM · #13

Ok so in theory I see this working but I can't believe you tried it on a 5D. That takes some stones.

Prof_Fate

04/19/2007 11:40:45 PM · #14

The piece you touched is glass, and pretty tough stuff. My concern would be leaving residue behind that would attract more dirt. And the copperhill, etc, might just smear the glue and makes things a lot worse. I've tried removing adhesive from glass and other surfaces - not pleasant.

Maybe i'd test this on a window or slide plate first to be 300% sure there was no issues.

What model of 3M did you use? The magic, packing, removeable or what? The removeable might be less 'sticky' and potentially damaging.

I do the blower thing and then got a static brush ($10 or so) from...one of the more reputable online cleaning outfits. Works fine and can't see it damaging anything as the nylon brush is a lot softer than the glass AA filter. I suppose one runs the risk of the dust itself being abrasive, but that's a longshot I suspect. I also got pec pads and juice. My 30D seems a magnet for dust, even came with some factory installed - hence the need to buy the gear.

zeuszen

Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II

04/19/2007 11:48:25 PM · #15

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

Well, I took the chance and...Here's the result:

What are all the specs in the upper part of the image?

Prof_Fate

04/19/2007 11:50:54 PM · #16

Originally posted by zeuszen:

Originally posted by DrAchoo:
Well, I took the chance and...Here's the result:

What are all the specs in the upper part of the image?

Looks like JPG compression...but what is this a photo of? Not a plain white paper/sky/defocused nothing.

zeuszen

Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II

04/19/2007 11:54:36 PM · #17

Originally posted by Prof_Fate:

Originally posted by zeuszen:

Originally posted by DrAchoo:
Well, I took the chance and...Here's the result:

What are all the specs in the upper part of the image?

Looks like JPG compression...but what is this a photo of? Not a plain white paper/sky/defocused nothing.

Pretty prolific compression, but in addition to it -predominantly in the left upperpart, pretty hefty specs, dots, dust?

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

04/19/2007 11:59:38 PM · #18

It's a shot of the sky, and yes, there is dust in the corner (specifically the two dots in the upper left). Like I said, it seems harder to get the corners. But this was my first try.

The dark is merely the gradient of the sky.

Message edited by author 2007-04-20 00:00:09.

deapee

Kodak V803

04/19/2007 11:59:42 PM · #19

So there's a few specs of dust left...he's an amateur...cut him some slack.

Oh, and honestly, you wouldn't see those specs at like f/8 or larger anyway.

Olympus 40-150mm f/2.8 PRO M.Zuiko

04/20/2007 12:01:21 AM · #20

I just love comments pics like this get. Comedy run amok on DPC... :)

FireBird

04/20/2007 12:02:23 AM · #21

Originally posted by TJinGuy:

Ok so in theory I see this working but I can't believe you tried it on a 5D. That takes some stones.

Hell, he's already broke the thing several times.
I don't think he's too worried. ;)

Brad

Olympus OM-D E-M1

04/20/2007 12:10:43 AM · #22

Suggestion:
Knowing what "can" be left behind with ScotchÂ® 'Tape', the blue 3MÂ® painter's
'tape' is a far safer product to use and will never leave a residue.

MadMan2k

Sony Alpha a6400

Tamron 70-180mm F/2.8 Di III VXD

04/20/2007 12:21:28 AM · #23

I used the scotch 'tape' method on the XT a few times. It worked alright. Tiny little 'sensor' though, hard to get it down in there.

I love not having to worry about 'sensor' dust with film... I just bought 144 full-frame sensors for $22.20 before tax, too.

jmsetzler

Sony Alpha a6000

Sony 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 E-mount

04/20/2007 12:23:19 AM · #24

Originally posted by MadMan2k:

There is no 'sensor' dust on film, but getting dust and crud on the negatives during processing is a pain in the ass sometimes. Sometimes dust inside the camera creates problems on film just like it does on a digital 'sensor'.