Sensor cleaning

DavidUK

DavidUK

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After deciding against an outlay of 900 quid for a D300, I have turned back to my trusty D70 and decided to apply a bit of tlc.

The sensor is in need of a clean, and I have done this before though not for some years.

I have some digi-pads that I bought originally and some cleaning fluid. Would they still be ok to use now? they have been kept in a cool dry place.

From what I recall, you apply a small amount of cleaning fluid along one edge of the digi-pad, wipe the sensor from one side to the other, then flip the pad over and wipe it back again.

Does this sound about right?
 
Sorry, I am not too keen on sensor cleaning .. call me chicken; what I would suggest is to send it to Nikon for a clean, they're not that expensive. Also, there is talk - on another thread - that suggests Nikon may be offering "free" sensor cleaning :shrug:. If that's so, may well be worth sending your cam. for a "healthcheck"?
 
Wail said:
Sorry, I am not too keen on sensor cleaning .. call me chicken; what I would suggest is to send it to Nikon for a clean, they're not that expensive. Also, there is talk - on another thread - that suggests Nikon may be offering "free" sensor cleaning :shrug:. If that's so, may well be worth sending your cam. for a "healthcheck"?
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tbh I've done it at least three times in the past without issue, I always imagined sending it to Nikon would be far from cheap, but it might be worth looking into.
 
I sent my D200 to Nikon, using DHL from Staples, and it cost me £9! I thought that was cheap. It is being serviced and should be back with me by Friday .. of course the cost of the service isn't comparable to the cost of the sensor clean .. but I am sure they are reasonable with their prices.

Give them a call .. you may be happily surprised ?
 
Wail said:
I sent my D200 to Nikon, using DHL from Staples, and it cost me £9! I thought that was cheap. It is being serviced and should be back with me by Friday .. of course the cost of the service isn't comparable to the cost of the sensor clean .. but I am sure they are reasonable with their prices.

Give them a call .. you may be happily surprised ?
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Blimey, at £9 it wouldn't be too bad!

There is a smidgen of dust on the sensor, but the top section (kind of the 'ceiling' bit if that makes sense!) has dust on too.

I have just had a quick look at the Nikon service centres in the UK, did you just pick one of those?
 
I used the one in Reading. It seemd like the one of choice from their web site .. and frankly I have been happy with how they've managed my D200.

Mind you, I am paying close to £165 for the service .. so, I am getting a bit more than my sensor cleaned :suspect:
 
Why are people so afraid of sensor cleaning? :shrug:

David, your description is about right, with reminders to do it in the bathroom or other relativelty dust free area, mounted face down-ish on a tripod, jst so you have both hands free, and of course, blow loose dust from the cavity with a rocket blower before opening the shutter curtain. ;)
 
Also make sure your battery is fully charged when you do it.
From what I can make out sensors are tougher than a lot of people think.
 
Thanks everyone, I don't think my camera has been used enough to warrant a full service, I remember sensor cleaning being easy in the past as long as you take care when doing it, its getting the dust of the top bit above the mirror that Im curious about!
 
LadyLens said:
Why are people so afraid of sensor cleaning? :shrug:

David, your description is about right, with reminders to do it in the bathroom or other relativelty dust free area, mounted face down-ish on a tripod, jst so you have both hands free, and of course, blow loose dust from the cavity with a rocket blower before opening the shutter curtain. ;)
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I have to visit toilet frequently everytime I think of doing sensor cleaning myself!
 
a1ex2001 said:
Just out of interest what else do you get?
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This is what they are doing to it: -

Fit new spare parts
Repair/replace printed circuit board & adjust as necessary
Firmware upgrade to the latest version
Check, test and clean equipment
Equipment shows signs of liquid damage
Fit new spare parts
Clean and check CCD unit.
Check, test and clean equipment


A bit of a major work being done there .. with the culprit being what I've highlighted :( ... it was this that got me on my path to upgrade my whole kit.
 
LadyLens said:
Why are people so afraid of sensor cleaning? :shrug:

.....
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Because I am chicken :thinking: ..


I was under the impression that the D200 is rather well sealed against the rain. I always used a rainguard (Storm Jacket) and one day while out hiking (ok, it was a horrible rainy day) I came home all was well until I removed the battery from its' compartment ... poor D200 just wouldn't start afterwards.

Now, I know this has nothing to do with sensor cleaning .. but I am now ultra paranoid over my gear.
 
You'll probably find a quick gust from a rocket blower will shift whatever is on the sensor anyway, no need for a full clean. If I have to clean the sensor (done so twice with the D300) then I use an Arctic Butterfly - does the job nicely and no fluids or swabs or any such nonsense
 
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