Sensor Swabs RULE for DSLR CCD Cleaning!

Had my D70 for awhile now.

After my trip to Belize, I had some dustage on the CCD that I just couldn't shake. Air Conditioned cabana to the beach and back every day... huge fogging, mad dust = stuff paper mache'-ed to the sensor.

So I did all the research, talked to all the pros, etc.

Months later, I break down and got the Sensor Brush and the Sensor Swabs. They showed up FAST. And they sit in the cabinet. :11:

Weeks later, I finally bust them out. :yourkiddi

And look at them. I just can't muster the courage to do this. :sorry19z:

This is a sphincter clenching operation, and I wasn't sure if I was up to the task. I had some seriously welded dust on this thing - at least 4 major spots that were essentially taking the love of shooting away from me since July.

So today I finally decide to man up and get to it. I prepare the work area, and charge the Sensor Brush. swipe swipe, test shot - DAMMIT. As suspected, it did nothing to the major blobs.

So its time to bust out the heavy artillary. I break open the Sensor Swab, wet it with the Eclipse juice of life (EJOL). Re-assemble, test shot.... NO WAY. One of the 4 dust spots MOVED!

WOO HOO

Repeat. Three of the 4 are completely gone

After a few more times, and a few more swabs, I can honestly say I can't find a single blob, gray spot, lingering dot or blemish. I did test shots of the bright sky, a white wall in full sun, a test paper indoors, etc. Examined at 100% corner to corner. Nada.

MAN.

Tense moments, but its all good. These things rule. They're an arm and a leg, but totally worth it. I'm going to Kona over Christmas / New Years, and there is simply no way I would house this thing up for that trip with that butt-ugly CCD.

I no longer have to compose around the dots... I'm so happy. Tomorrow I'm going out shooting just because I can.

If you're CCD is ugly, you don't need to fret (much.) I've been FREAKING about this for months (carried my cam to PNW in September for a long weekend and didn't take a single shot) - and I finally did clean the thing and everything came out perfect.

Sensor products just rule. I'm very relieved.

Here's their site.

And the artical by Thom also ruled.

Whew... what a relief.

---
Ken

The D70 has a feature called image dust off that works in RAW format only. You take a reference photo of a plain white surface and the camera will compare subsequent photos and delete the dust. I haven't tried it yet, but the swabbing process scares me, so when the time comes I'll try dust off first.

vladimir:

The D70 has a feature called image dust off that works in RAW format only. You take a reference photo of a plain white surface and the camera will compare subsequent photos and delete the dust. I haven't tried it yet, but the swabbing process scares me, so when the time comes I'll try dust off first.

Click to expand...

I don't even own photoshop. So my option was to continue to compose busy shots or sack up and handle it.

I'm so happy now...

---
Ken

Ahhhh......the benefits of a NikV.

Sorry...Ken just had to jab. I didn't have any trouble in "our" cabana.

Lori

Diver Lori:

Ahhhh......the benefits of a NikV.

Sorry...Ken just had to jab. I didn't have any trouble in "our" cabana.

Lori

Click to expand...

that's right... well, what can I say. I'm sure the dust was on there before I got to Belize (I did a shoot in Joshua Tree a week before the trip) but I am confident whatever dust was there was just arc welded to the CCD by the 30 - 45 minute fog fest each morning.

Of course, by day three I got a clue and stored the cam outside on the porch overnight... no more de-fogging each morning.

You're funny.

---
Ken

I've never had a problem in 2 years getting dust of a CCD with just a simple airbulb. I do it once a month, and and never have to clean a dust spot off w/ a swab. Actually the sensor on my brand new Fuji S2 (2 years old now) was FILTHY !!! So much for factory cleaning! I took my airbulb to it and it was perfect in a couple of puffs. My Nik D2x seems better sealed. I've only had to clean it once in 6 months. As this works w/o a problem, I'm holding off the Sensorswabs.

onbelaydave:

I'm holding off the Sensorswabs.

Click to expand...

I seriously don't know what the heck happened. But I'm bulbin' it from now on. I think I lopped about 2 years off my life stressing out over the cleaning...

OY!

---
Ken

Diver Lori:

Ahhhh......the benefits of a NikV.

Sorry...Ken just had to jab. I didn't have any trouble in "our" cabana.

Lori

Click to expand...

No offence Lori but i got so sick of cleaning the dust and spots off of my slides post scanning (even with a Coolscan 4000 which has a setting that gets rid of that stuff) that i went digital. And yes i was/am extremely anal about keeping my slides clean. Only have about 3000 or so dives with the Nik V so yes thats a lot of scanning time...

So much easier with digital....

Mike Veitch:

No offence Lori but i got so sick of cleaning the dust and spots off of my slides post scanning (even with a Coolscan 4000 which has a setting that gets rid of that stuff) that i went digital. And yes i was/am extremely anal about keeping my slides clean. Only have about 3000 or so dives with the Nik V so yes thats a lot of scanning time...

So much easier with digital....

Click to expand...

No offense taken. I just am not convinced on digital yet, and it's evolving way too fast for me to make an investment in it at it's current level. I like the contrast and saturation from pro slide film and feel it can't be beat at this time. I'm very selective in the slides I do scan and it works for me since it's my buddy with the scanner, not me! :05:

Mo2vation:

that's right... well, what can I say. I'm sure the dust was on there before I got to Belize (I did a shoot in Joshua Tree a week before the trip) but I am confident whatever dust was there was just arc welded to the CCD by the 30 - 45 minute fog fest each morning.

Of course, by day three I got a clue and stored the cam outside on the porch overnight... no more de-fogging each morning.

You're funny.

---
Ken

Click to expand...

Just joking with you, Ken. I couldn't resist since my buddy and I were in the same cabana as you and your wife, a few weeks later. Still can't top that trip!