Sensor Cleaning

k4mmd

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Hi Guys

So both my nikon bodies need cleaning as there are specs of dirt/dust on the sensor.

I have seen a lot of you tube videos and by the looks of it, it looks fairly simple to clean.

Are there any tips from anyone about cleaning the sensor or things to watch out for. I will be cleaning a D700 and a D3S.

Which cleaning kit do you guys recommend?
 
1st option should be using a rocket blower to clean dust spots
Then if you feel brave and still have a dirty sensor, use swabs and cleaning fluid, I've only done this once and I was terrified, but it worked, but I would still be scared doing it again
Read up, watch video tutorials, then be very gentle with a one swab side/one wipe ratio so as not to scratch sensor with any picked up dust
I thought about putting it into Jessops, but the reports I read were so varied, I decided to do it myself
Be careful, you'll be fine
 
Thanks guys

Any ideas on where is the best place to get the Visible dust green swabs?

I wouldnt let jessops touch my camera? the staff in jessops are useless and they dont have a clue about cameras lol. I think I am going to have a go at it myself. lol
 
Rather than start a new thread I though I'd ask here, would it be safe to blow out my sensor with an airbrush? My Dad has one he uses for painting scale models. Someone told me that using compressed air is bad because it contains moisture but I'm sure my dad said his airbush as a moisture trap.
 
You can actually buy tins of air
But seen a few tips not to use it, as if it picks up any dust when you blow it, it'd be like sand blasting your sensor. So I wouldn't personally
 
You can actually buy tins of air
But seen a few tips not to use it, as if it picks up any dust when you blow it, it'd be like sand blasting your sensor. So I wouldn't personally

The main reason you do not want to use tins of air is because they have chemicals in them that come out with the air and that could potentially cause harm to the sensor. Not super likely, but too much risk to be worth it.

As for compressed air in general, it is too powerful to use unless you stand back a couple feet or more from the camera. A rocket blower is way better for this purpose, and they are very cheap too. It is incredibly rare that dust is stuck to a sensor too strongly for a rocket blower to release it.
 
I first blow my sensor then use Pec pads and Eclipse fluid, as said do not put too much fluid on. I did once and had terrible smears that ruined some shots. Didn't make that mistake twice..
 
I first blow my sensor then use Pec pads and Eclipse fluid, as said do not put too much fluid on.

^ this...but try a blower first and a loupe is invaluable. I put off cleaning my sensor for a year, even though I'd watched all the videos and felt pretty confident. Finaly plucked up the courage and it was much easier than I'd thought!
 
^ this...but try a blower first and a loupe is invaluable. I put off cleaning my sensor for a year, even though I'd watched all the videos and felt pretty confident. Finaly plucked up the courage and it was much easier than I'd thought!
When I say "Blow" I meant with a blower :thumbs:
 
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If anyone is after 1.6x sensor swabs try the jiansi ones from Kerso, you get 6 pre wetted and sealed swabs per pack, very easy to use, cheap and no smear problems at all when I did mine.

Blow out with a rocket blower first and then 1 continuous sweep with each side of the swab and the job was done.
 
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