CCD cleaning experience or how to go mad

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 24-85mm f2.8-4.0D

10/20/2005 05:53:55 PM · #1

Here is my experience at PhotoTech in NYC. Pardon bad English since when I wrote this I was in a hurry and very upset.

On October 19, 2005 I took my D70 for sensor cleaning. Over the phone they were nice and friendly and told me that their 1hr cleaning actually takes only 15-20 minutes and the first cleaning is covered by warranty. I was told that twice. Once, over 2 months ago and second time on October 19 before leaving my house. However when I arrived I was told that warranty service takes overnight. If you pay you get in 20min. I said that that is not what I was told on the phone. Sales rep said that is how it is. I told him I called in the morning and toke train from Brooklyn just for that. He said that he�ll speak to tech if he can do it. After few minutes he took my camera and gave it to tech to be cleaned. I got it back in about 20min as I was expecting. What I was not expecting is too see dust and fingerprint on the mirror. Yes there was a distinct fingerprint. I was shocked and ran back into the shop. I told the guy about it and he said that it is really only CCD cleaning and not mirror cleaning. After some hesitation he told younger man to take camera back to a tech, and said a techs name. Young man said that this is D70 and someone else handles that. Sales rep insisted that camera was taken to tech he named before.

When I got camera back in 20 minutes I walked outside in bright light to look at it. Dust was still there and fingerprint too. Fingerprint was less visible this time. I took a test shot of the sky and saw a big black spot almost at the center of the frame. I went back in. This time lady assisted me as sales rep was avoiding me. I told her what I found. Young man that assisted me before noted that maybe I should take it for a sensor cleaning. At this point I was about to explode. I explained calmly that that is why I brought the camera to you. Lady took camera back and returned it to me in another 20min. I walked outside and at least 3 specs of dust and faint fingerprint were still there. After taking test shot and examining preview I saw no dust on the sensor. I did not return again for mirror cleaning.

I sent this in an email to Nikon. Not much they can do but what the hell.

I guess next time I'm doing it myself!

Nick

Fujifilm XF 55-200mm f/3.5-4.8 R LM OIS

10/20/2005 06:10:02 PM · #2

I've got a dust spot on my D70 right now that I need to clean. Have you ever tried it yourself? I would like to do it, but I'm kind of afriad that I might screw something up. Your story makes me think that I could do as good a job as some places.

Who has experience doing their own sensor cleaning that you could share with us?

ursula

Fujifilm X-T2

10/20/2005 06:12:27 PM · #3

Your experience sounds really bad, and I'm sorry for you.

I also own a D70, and my experience with Nikon Service has been fantastic. I got my camera over a year ago, and about a month after getting it I tried cleaning the sensor myself. I got the sensor completely dirty with paper and gunk (it was horrible, I did not read the instructions for cleaning, and used a Kleenex and a little spatula and got it all gunked up).

I took it to the Vancouver Nikon Service Centre, where they cleaned it no charge on the spot. It was perfect. I went out that afternoon in Vancouver and had a lot of fun zooming in an out of stuff from the car window (open) while my husband was driving. I also changed lenses while driving (hey, don't laugh, I'm one of those hands-on persons, try it before reading the instructions).

Well, that evening the sensor was all dirty again. Next morning I went back to Nikon and told them the story. They again cleaned it (in less than 20 minutes) without charge, and showed me how to change lenses carefully and told me not to zoom into the wind if I can help it.

Long story short, my sensor hasn't been cleaned since (I haven't been back to Vancouver since last Summer) but I've managed to keep it clean by being very careful and blowing it regularly with my little Giotto Rocket Blower.

Moral of the story: Service Centres vary a great deal from place to place.

Added: I've been intending to buy that cleaning kit for a long time, but I haven't gotten around to it. But we're going to Vancouver in November, and I'll stop by Nikon and have it cleaned :)

Added #2: I don't like zoom lenses anymore :)

Message edited by author 2005-10-20 18:14:58.

Nikolai1024

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 24-85mm f2.8-4.0D

10/20/2005 06:12:28 PM · #4

Originally posted by rasdub:

If it is just one spot blow on it with a blower. My problem was much worse. I had like 10 or 20 spots.

Nick

FotoMunki

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

10/20/2005 06:16:38 PM · #5

rasdub - just do a search on "sensor cleaning" in the forums section and you will find a LOT of info

Fujifilm XF 55-200mm f/3.5-4.8 R LM OIS

10/20/2005 06:21:05 PM · #6

Thanks for the suggestion. I wanted to attach a picture and get confirmation that what I'm seeing on the picture are indeed dust spots on my sensor. If you look a little left of dead center in this picture, you will see the spot, as well as toward the upper right hand corner. Sensor dust right? Its always in the same spots on the picture.

Message edited by author 2005-10-20 18:24:01.

ursula

Fujifilm X-T2

10/20/2005 06:23:52 PM · #7

Looks like sensor dust. But that's not bad, you should see some sensor dust pictures that have been posted before - lots and lots of spots.

You can tell easy if you have spots by taking an overexposed picture (e.g., +1 fstop) of something light (like the sky) at your highest fstop (like f20 something). THey (the spots) show up really nicely that way.

10/20/2005 06:25:16 PM · #8

Yeah, I've noticed that they stand out a lot on shots of blue sky. Thanks for the advice everyone, and sorry for highjacking this thread a little bit Nikolai.

Message edited by author 2005-10-20 18:26:44.

Nikolai1024

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 24-85mm f2.8-4.0D

10/20/2005 06:33:31 PM · #9

Also, before cleaning you can take Dust Off pictuter. If you have Nikon software it will automatically remove all spots.

Nick

Message edited by author 2005-10-20 18:42:26.

Mick

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

10/20/2005 07:18:48 PM · #10

Originally posted by rasdub:

You can probably do just as good a job as most places that you might take it to for cleaning. It's really not very difficult, just a bit scary the first time. I�ve done my 10D many times now, with good results.

It should be noted that even if you do everything right, you may need to clean the sensor several times to get rid of all the dust (actually, I�m beginning to think that it�s totally impossible to get rid of all the dust.) We�re talking microscopically small particles, and if they�re on your sensor (actually, high-pass filter glass), then they�re probably all over the inside of the camera too. The mirror flipping back down when you�re finished cleaning is probably enough to cause more dust to swirl around and get deposited on the sensor again. I usually end up cleaning, taking test shots, and then re-cleaning several times before I�m satisfied.

You�ll need to buy a package of Pec-Pads and a bottle of Eclipse cleaning fluid. The Pec-Pads are soft, lint free wipes, and Eclipse is just very pure alcohol. You will also need a tool that will be used to hold the Pec-Pads and wipe the sensor. You can either buy one of these tools, or make your own from a rubber spatula. My wife had a small RubberMaid spatula that she donated, and I used a straight-edge razor to trim it to size. It works just fine.

You will find all of the information you need, including complete instructions on making the required tool, at //www.pbase.com/copperhill/ccd_cleaning. They also sell everything that you will need, either individually, or as complete kits.

Hope this helps.

Message edited by author 2005-10-20 19:22:52.

Baxter

Nikon D500

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G VR

10/20/2005 07:28:51 PM · #11

I have cleaned my own sensor many times with no problems The secret is to get a good cleaning system. I have heard good things about the Copperhill system, I'am using the Visible Dust system.
//www.visibledust.com/index.html
A little pricy but a great system.

Mick

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

10/20/2005 07:39:21 PM · #12

Originally posted by Baxter:

That's one I've never heard of before. Their products look very interesting. Which of their products do you use?

10/20/2005 07:46:32 PM · #13

Excellent information!

livitup

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

10/22/2005 12:07:40 AM · #14

I second micknewton's recommendation of the Copper Hill system/product.

I "aquired" 2 BAD visible dust spots on my D70. The nearest Nikon center is about 1.5 hours away, and no way I wanted to mail it off. So I visited the Copper Hill site, ordered the basic package, and when it arrived I took a deep breath and did it.

1000% better. I cleaned it twice more that day, getting more gunk off each time. Their stuff is reasonably priced and it's SO easy to get great results. As long as you use a new Pec Pad each time, and don't press down with the force of a gorilla, you're not going to break anything.

I did practice on a CD case once before taking the plunge, but it's really easy as cake. One thing to be careful of, that Eclipse is methanol or something equally horrid, and it actually ate through the finish of my kitchen table when I let a drop fall. The wife was none to happy about that one.

Copper Hill = good stuff.

doctornick

Apple iPhone 13 Pro

10/22/2005 12:28:35 AM · #15

Originally posted by Baxter:

I use the Sensor Brush...very simple and efficient method, 5 min job, I don't even bother being extra careful when changing my lenses now, since it's so easy to clean the sensor...

mariomel

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

10/22/2005 01:48:58 AM · #16

Originally posted by doctornick:

I use the Sensor Brush...very simple and efficient method, 5 min job, I don't even bother being extra careful when changing my lenses now, since it's so easy to clean the sensor...

I stopped going to Canon when they stopped doing it on the spot. Now it's 2-3 days or next day if you're a PRO. I now use the Copperhill method, but was thinking of getting the Sensor Brush for quick dry cleanings before an important shoot. The Copperhill method is great though, and still very easy after you've gotten past the first couple of uses.

The first time was the worst. I felt like a surgeon performing open heart surgery, except I'm sure surgeons don't keep refering back to the manual every 5 seconds. LOL!

jaam