Message: 2
Date: Mon, 27 Jun 2005 20:07:41 -0700
From: Wright Huntley <whuntley at verizon_net>
Subject: [Killietalk] Re: cleaning DSLRs
To: killietalk at aka_org
*Debunix <debunix at well_com> *wrote, in response to my:
>>I'm a fan of digital cameras *without* interchangeable lenses. Unlike
>>film, you don't get a fresh clean sensor with every shot, and cleaning
>>the sensor even voids the warranty in some brands! It is not a trivial
>>task.One brand even tries to use sonics to clean the sensor
>>periodically. IDK how well it works, tho.
>>
>>
>>
>> I'm quite happy with my Nikon D70; I do change lenses fairly often,
>> and have had to clean it once every few months, but the great sensor
>> dust problem, IME, has been mostly a tempest in a teapot. Yes, I've
>> had to clone out the occasional bit of dust in the sky, but that is
>> not a common problem even when I'm shooting stopped WAY down (f57,
>> anyone?) for a high depth of field in my macros. I haven't used a
>> high quality fixed lens digital camera with good macro capability for
>> full comparison, and maybe I haven't put it to the right tests to see
>> problems with putting my lenses designed for film on the digital
>> body, but I don't think there is any non-DSLR digital out there that
>> can what my D70 did with a good dedicated macro lens:
>
Maybe it's that easy that for you, Diane, but I just picked this off of
today's rec.photo.digital: :-)
> Sheldon wrote:
> > <kombi45 at yahoo_com> wrote in message
> > news:1119911467_712077.207840 at g43g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> > > Well, the good news is that I didn't break the camera cleaning the
> > > sensor...or rather the filter!
> > >
> > > The bad news is that I not only succeeded in simply moving the dust
> > > spot around, I introduced a few new ones, as well.
> > >
> > > Though I'm not worried as I was totally nervous just doing the
> > > procedure - I put two Pec Pads (for thickness and insurance that the
> > > implement didn't break through) on the end of a sawed off, filed down,
> > > dulled up plastic fast food knife. I think I must have squeegeed too
> > > lightly or used too little Eclipse...I used three drops. I'm going to
> > > have another go tonight when things settle down around the house.
> > >
> > > Ben
> >
> > Here's what I think. I was extremely nervous the first time I cleaned my
> > sensor, but I think you are trying to save money where it shouldn't be
> > saved. Go ahead and buy the premade wand to wrap the PecPads
> around. It
> > has a little flex to it, so you have a better feel for what you are
> doing,
> > and mine is the perfect size to do my D70 in two swipes (they sell
> them to
> > match your camera).
> >
> > Like, you already bought the Ped Pads. You already bought the
> Eclipse. So
> > why grind up your own plastic knife?
> >
> > If you're really nervous you can always try the brush method. You don't
> > have to spend $100 on them. They sell equivalent brushes on eBay
> for about
> > $15 under photography/sensor cleaning. It might be too late for the
> brush,
> > but it can't hurt.
> >
> > Good luck. I nailed it on the second try, but it was a bit
> nerve-wracking.
> > :-) I know how you feel.
>
> This is precisely what I'm going to do. The second swipe made things
> maybe not worse, but by no means better. This time I tried the rubber
> spatula tapered off method. No luck. So I am going to plunk down the
> $40!! for the Sensor Swabs.
>
This little episode is more typical of what we see and it certainly
should be considered before coughing out the big bucks for a DSLR..
Wright