Cleaning Low Pass Filter Nikon D70s (1 Viewer)

[griffin]

I know there was a Canon thread previously on sensor dust. My nearly two month old D70s has a black spot only visible in the sky. See attached Scottish Crossbill - just level with its head towards the right edge. It is not a big deal and I can easily dodge out in Photoshop but I can see it is a problem that will only get worse and will need action. The Dust-Off ref in Nikon Capture does not get rid off it.

Has anyone had any negative experiences of cleaning the filter ? What "pads" were used ? My filter looks clean and I am worried it is a smear/speck trapped between the sensor and the filter ?

Is sending it back to Nikon a bad idea ( would be waiting a while anyway if I did select this option) ?

Thanks for any comments,

Linz

 

[yossi]

I use the swabs regularily on the D70, D100 and the D2X. Those cameras are dust traps... Care should be taken when doing it as it may scratch the filter.

 

[rezMole]

I use swabs and fluid bought from Warehouse Express. Cleaned the sensor about 5 times now and no problems with smears etc. The first time i cleaned it i had to do it a couple of times - i had got a bloody insect trapped whilst changing lenses, and hadn't noticed until after it had sh** everywhere!

 

[griffin]

I use swabs and fluid bought from Warehouse Express. Cleaned the sensor about 5 times now and no problems with smears etc. The first time i cleaned it i had to do it a couple of times - i had got a bloody insect trapped whilst changing lenses, and hadn't noticed until after it had sh** everywhere!

Thanks Rez and Yossi,

Will get the stuff from WE but wait until it gets worse than it is at the mo.


Linz

 

[Keith Reeder]

Is it definitely dust on the sensor, Lindsay?

I ask because I've noticed that the inner glass surfaces of my main lens - my Sigma 135-400mm, which I've only had a few months - are covered with crap, presumably due to dust being sucked in by the movement of the lens in and out when zooming, which can't be dealt with at home...

 

[griffin]

Is it definitely dust on the sensor, Lindsay?

I ask because I've noticed that the inner glass surfaces of my main lens - my Sigma 135-400mm, which I've only had a few months - are covered with crap, presumably due to dust being sucked in by the movement of the lens in and out when zooming, which can't be dealt with at home...

I think it is Keith cause I have tried it with two diff. Tamron lenses and the mark is present on both. Could be dust on the mirror ? I really don't like the sound of what you describe - that would mean you can't clean them ?

Thanks,

Linz

 

[Keith Reeder]

Aye, if it happens regardless of lens, you must be right.

I must admit that I'm a bit miffed about the contamination in the Sigma (although I did perhaps overstate it slightly - it doesn't seem to have any impact on pictures) but I would need the lens to be professionally serviced.

I'd send it off (I presume the warranty would cover it), but then I'd be without a long lens..!

Anyway, let us know how your cleaning efforts go - I've got the D70 so what works for you will work for me when the time comes.

 

[rezMole]

The swabs are quite expensive, working out at about a pound each. Bit, if you but a pack of the lens wipes (at £7 for 100 sheets), these can be used the replace the ones on the swabs quite easily. The swabs themselves are just the plastic this you get to spread glue with, with a lens wipe folded and tied on them. You could probably make them totally yourself, but the "glue" stick is EXACTLY the correct size for the sensor, which would probably be difficult to find.

Anyway, as i said, i haven't had any problems - except the first time, when i put 4 drops of fluid on, instead of the recommended 2. I then had to use a dry swab to remove the excess fluid. A case of two drops good 4 drops bad!

Not sure i'd recommend sending to Nikon for cleaning - heard some stories about the camera being returned with an even dirtier sensor than when it was sent in!

 

[Dave Adshead]

Linz,
I wouldn't send your camera off yet for cleaning, but before you start trying to use wipes or a brush to clean the sensor yourself. Can I suggest you consider using a Tetenal Anti dust mini, which is safe for use on digital sensors, it uses compressed CO2 and has no liquid propellant.
DO NOT use cans of compressed air.
You can get the gun with 3 x CO2 cartridges for £15.00 + pp from Speed Graphics, tel 0845 3 30 55 30, or visit their website. www.speedgraphic.co.uk give them a ring and ask for a copy of their catalogue, its very comprehensive and has accessories in that you never new existed.
Best wishes
Dave

 

[griffin]

The swabs are quite expensive, working out at about a pound each. Bit, if you but a pack of the lens wipes (at £7 for 100 sheets), these can be used the replace the ones on the swabs quite easily. The swabs themselves are just the plastic this you get to spread glue with, with a lens wipe folded and tied on them. You could probably make them totally yourself, but the "glue" stick is EXACTLY the correct size for the sensor, which would probably be difficult to find.

Anyway, as i said, i haven't had any problems - except the first time, when i put 4 drops of fluid on, instead of the recommended 2. I then had to use a dry swab to remove the excess fluid. A case of two drops good 4 drops bad!

Not sure i'd recommend sending to Nikon for cleaning - heard some stories about the camera being returned with an even dirtier sensor than when it was sent in!

Thanks Rez,

Will get those swab thingies this week - Sensor swabs and Eclipse Fluid ?

Thanx for your help before on D70 - I love the camera and Tamron 200-500 I got. The Coolpix 4500 has not had a look in since I took up the DSLR. Digiscoping is dead for me, love the freedom and ease of shooting and focus with the DSLR !

Linz

 

[griffin]

Linz,
I wouldn't send your camera off yet for cleaning, but before you start trying to use wipes or a brush to clean the sensor yourself. Can I suggest you consider using a Tetenal Anti dust mini, which is safe for use on digital sensors, it uses compressed CO2 and has no liquid propellant.
DO NOT use cans of compressed air.
You can get the gun with 3 x CO2 cartridges for £15.00 + pp from Speed Graphics, tel 0845 3 30 55 30, or visit their website. www.speedgraphic.co.uk give them a ring and ask for a copy of their catalogue, its very comprehensive and has accessories in that you never new existed.
Best wishes
Dave

Ta Dave,

I checked out thse site and you are right it does say it can clean sensors safely. I have tried the Giotti Rocket thing warehouse express sell but it didn't shift the speck. Will only send off the D70s if things get a lot worse and given what Rezmole says I will probably goefor the swab method first as so far there have been no negatives eg. people saying "DO NOT DO THIS" !! My perogative, as with bins and scope is only clean if you really have too. I am definitely not a closet "polisher" !!

Linz

 

[GavinM]

I will say use Eclipse fluid from WE but most certainly don't use Jessops lens cleaning fluid for this task. (D100 in for repair of damaged low pass filter).

A blast of Jessop's Clean Aer on the other hand is often enough to clear it without resorting to swiping.

 

[Keith Reeder]

You know, the more I read about this, the more I'm baffled that it seems to be impossible to design a low pass filter/sensor set up that's sufficiently robust to take a gentle wipe with a soft cloth or bespoke cleaning tool without there being a real risk that you'll kill your camera in the process..!

 

[screaming piha]

A blast of Jessop's Clean Aer on the other hand is often enough to clear it without resorting to swiping.

DON'T! Most air cans contain a propellant that will coat your sensor/lens/whatever.

 

[Yelvertoft]

Hi,
on http://www.cleaningdigitalcameras.com/
you can see lots of information and "how-to's".

Method 6 makes me cringe, just don't, ok? Don't!

Duncan.

 

[griffin]

Hi,
on http://www.cleaningdigitalcameras.com/
you can see lots of information and "how-to's".

Method 6 makes me cringe, just don't, ok? Don't!

Duncan.

Thanks Duncan that is a very informative site.

Linz

 

[BARRY.]

D70 cleaning

I know there was a Canon thread previously on sensor dust. My nearly two month old D70s has a black spot only visible in the sky. See attached Scottish Crossbill - just level with its head towards the right edge. It is not a big deal and I can easily dodge out in Photoshop but I can see it is a problem that will only get worse and will need action. The Dust-Off ref in Nikon Capture does not get rid off it.

Has anyone had any negative experiences of cleaning the filter ? What "pads" were used ? My filter looks clean and I am worried it is a smear/speck trapped between the sensor and the filter ?

Is sending it back to Nikon a bad idea ( would be waiting a while anyway if I did select this option) ?

Thanks for any comments,

Linz

hi lins i dont no weather you have solved your cleaming problem yet. But i came up with idea of sucking the dust of the filter. it may sound silly to some people but i coudent beleave it.it realey did do the job

 

[BARRY.]

hi lins i dont no weather you have solved your cleaming problem yet. But i came up with idea of sucking the dust of the filter. it may sound silly to some people but i coudent beleave it.it realey did do the job

 

[Leif]

hi lins i dont no weather you have solved your cleaming problem yet. But i came up with idea of sucking the dust of the filter. it may sound silly to some people but i coudent beleave it.it realey did do the job

Barry: Would that be with a straw? Or a vacuum cleaner? I beleive there are miniature vacuums for hobbyists (electronics?) which might do the job. I don't think the idea of sucking up the dust is silly. It's clever since it avoids the possibility of shooting more contaminants at the sensor. Leif

 

[Leif]

Hi,
on http://www.cleaningdigitalcameras.com/
you can see lots of information and "how-to's".

Method 6 makes me cringe, just don't, ok? Don't!

Duncan.

Excellent link. Leif