CCD cleaning is not for the faint hearted

I cleaned my mate's D100 CCD today (as I do regularly to mine) and it was a
lengthy affair. The big guy was very patient as I swabbed, hurricane
blasted, tested and repeated the process for an interminable period of time
until we got the result we were after. On the way all spots would be gone
but a giant hair would be left visible. Next round all hair would be gone
but spots would miraculously appear again. Next attempt and the evaporative
substance would leave huge crater marks on the (expensive) surface.

I've done it many times and know that persistance will be rewarded, and of
course we finally got the bugger clean (other than a single little spot
which would only be a minor problem (hit "j" in PS) stopped right down).

Given the regular cleaning requirements of our D100s (especially if you
shoot from a chopper, low over dirt/grassed areas) it's great to be able to
do it yourself. Nikon wants $80 per clean (OK, it does take a while) but
told me it would need my body (errr.... camera) for a week. A week? Of
course I could hire another one while I waited - which would pay for a new
D100 after a few cleans...

Anyway, it can be done and I learned all about it at Thom Hogan's site -
www.bythom.com . The first time around I almost had an acute myocardial
infarction when it seemed the camera had just become my most expensive
paper-weight. Gladly, someone told me to keep trying... carefully! If
you're interested, I use the Digiclean product from Resolution Technology -
normally used for med/lge digital backs. No commission for me, just happy
to be able to do it whenever I need to and hope this helps anyone who is
suffering the speckled sensor blues.

Cheers,
Dave

 

Thanks for the tip, Dave. I looked at that site, but couldn't find any
reference to sensor cleaning. Could you post the exact URL, please?

Where do you buy it?

 

<snip>

Makes that sensor shaker in the Olympus E1 sound like a good idea...


Adam F

 

Sure - it's at: http://www.bythom.com/cleaning.htm

This article really just educates the reader about the whole issue of CCD
cleaning and the first part covers the bits and pieces that are required to
do the job. If you buy the kit I mentioned (about $60), you'll have
everything you need other than a Hurricane blower (but you should have that
already of course...). So read the whole thing if you like but the
technique is described after the paragraph... "And so is the technique:".
(In fact, the technique is also pretty much covered in the kit itself).
Where Hogan mentions "methanol", the Digiclean kit has 2 liquids named A and
B (very creative people at Resolution Technology). Blow the sensor clean
first to get rid of larger stuff and prevent scratching, and then you first
make a pass with the soapy stuff (item A) and then quickly pass over the CCD
with a fresh cloth using the methanol-ish stuff (item B) to dry it properly.
This is the liquid I use multiple times to get it right.

It's likely you'll have to cut/narrow the bottom of the scraper a little to
match your CCD width but this is easily done with scissors. Cut the
lint-free sheets into 3rds to match normal CCDs (such as the D100). You
will (unless you are lucky) need to use liquid B a number of times before
you get it right. I suggest you do it away from dust, moving air etc. I
use my wife's bathroom (usually more 'dust-free' than mine!).

Another thing - it is not recommended to do this on bulb setting - after
all, the very first "C" in CCD represents "Charged" and open like this it
will attract dust like flies to a camel's naughty bits!

I bought my kit from L&P in Artarmon and you should be able to get them
anywhere med/lge format digital backs are sold. There are others around but
I'm told this brand has been designed to handle the $100k CCDs so my measly
$3k one is no sweat.

So take a deep breath, find a very clean space and bravely go forward. Of
course I can only say that I've been pleased with the process and haven't
had any issues so make sure you are aware of the potential downside and be
very careful indeed. Ie - of course you do this at your own risk (as the
camera dealer will say...).

Cheers,
Dave
P.S. I take the kit wherever I travel. In a few weeks I'm heading back to
Cambodia and Vietnam for a month (where I will have to embrace
vegetarianism) and will be trapsing around with a ton of gear through very
dusty places indeed. I'll have to clean the CCD numerous times I suspect
and would hate to have to rely on having to have it done for me over there!

 

Do you have a link for these people ? sound much better that nulab's $154
for 10 swabs... or 75 at fletchers!

 

Their site is www.resolution.com.sg but a quick look now hasn't revealed
anything about this particular product. They make accessories (I'm told)
for Phase One gear and so it could be worth calling around the pro shops
(Baltronics, L&P etc.) to see if they sell the product. Incidentally, the
package contains something like 2 sets of 50 sheets, cut into 3rds makes for
about approx 300 swabs + the scraper. Great stuff and used by the big end
of town.

I'm sure you'll find it - otherwise, call L&P in Sydney (02-9906-2733) and
they'll probably be able to help you one way or another if you're from out
of town.

Cheers,
Dave

 

Thanks - i'll give em a call.... fletchers ( canberra ) charged $75 when the
10d got dustitus at xmas ....

 

Ouch!

Good luck.

Cheers,
Dave