Advice needed - cleaning D70 CCD

[lightwrangler]

Since I've had a D70 for about a month, I need to clean the CCD (I change lenses a lot and I'm outdoors often). I'm well versed on this procedure for the S2, I have a supply of sensor swabs. Any tricks to the D70, will the same swabs work for it?

thanks,
Adrian

[shlomo]

Since I've had a D70 for about a month, I need to clean the CCD (I change lenses a lot and I'm outdoors often). I'm well versed on this procedure for the S2, I have a supply of sensor swabs. Any tricks to the D70, will the same swabs work for it?

thanks,
Adrian
Off topic - didn't see any D70 posts :mad:

[lightwrangler]

Off topic - didn't see any D70 posts :mad:

Not really sure what you mean. Do mean that I have posted in the wrong forum? It's in Nikon General Discussion, it's not really a problem, so why would I put it in Problems ....? Is this all it takes to make you mad? Well then you have my apologies! :D

[fujifilmnut]

Never cleaned mine. Have you shot a dust image and used it to remove dust?

You posted in the correct forum.

[lightwrangler]

Never cleaned mine. Have you shot a dust image and used it to remove dust?

You posted in the correct forum.

Thanks Nut, or is it FFN? Anyway, I haven't tried the software approach. Frankly I have my misgivings about plotting dust on a CCD and having software "remove" it. It's a strange exercise to me, I guess I like to go directly to the problem.

I just gave the camera a good blow out and it did remove most of the dust so I'll leave it for now. The software solution is something I should try out, because at least it's a "non invasive" procedure.

Cheers,
Adrian

[HulaMike]

Adrian, the new soft brushes are said to be good. There's a thread here somewhere about them, probably under CCD cleaning.

[shlomo]

Not really sure what you mean. Do mean that I have posted in the wrong forum? It's in Nikon General Discussion, it's not really a problem, so why would I put it in Problems ....? Is this all it takes to make you mad? Well then you have my apologies! :D
I mean i want to see you pictures! :cheers:

[Mrs. Swampy]

Adrian - can you used canned air?

[lightwrangler]

No Canned Air!!!. Canned air contains propellants and is very cold, both can ruin the CCD. You can use a bulb or hurricane blower (hand powered) or a C02 dust and particle remover ( www.americanrecorder.com ). But repeat after me.... NO CANNED AIR!

But thanks for thinking of me :D

[lightwrangler]

I mean i want to see you pictures! :cheers:
Ah pictures you say... well here's one from the Nikon D70, 90mm Tamron lens and available light. Enjoy!

[HulaMike]

Lovely pic, among the best floral shots I've seen Adrian. Goes beyond the norm in mood and form......oh yes, buy the brush. ;)

[Bruce]

Really nice image.
Bruce

[sandman]

I've cleaned mine the same as the S2 using the fluid and pads Adrian , use the mirror lock up and make sure if you have'nt the a/c adaptor you use a fully charged battery , just in case .
There was a thread from a pro on Fred/Miranda forum , he said use the mirror lock up then take out the battery and the mirror will not come down untill it's replaced. I have'nt tried that myself but i'll give it a test later .
BTW using the mirror lock up is a hell of a lot simpler than the awkward method the S2/S3 uses .
Brian

[Melody]

Ah pictures you say... well here's one from the Nikon D70, 90mm Tamron lens and available light. Enjoy!

Boy do I wish you would post more pictures and I'm not real found of flowers!! Although I must admit I like the way you took a different angle of one. I can't wait to see your winter pics I loved the fall series HINT HINT!!! Oh in case that isn't strong enough I WANT WINTER PICTURES PLEASE :D

Melody

[shlomo]

Boy do I wish you would post more pictures and I'm not real found of flowers!! Although I must admit I like the way you took a different angle of one. I can't wait to see your winter pics I loved the fall series HINT HINT!!! Oh in case that isn't strong enough I WANT WINTER PICTURES PLEASE :D

Melody
Come visit us! Love to see your winter pictures :)

[ianmcc]

Ugh, out here in Static charged WinterPeg, dust is THE #1 problem for DSLR's.

I've found the D70 to be WORSE for dust that the S2.The body doesn't seem to be sealed very well. It doesn't help that Nikon frames their sensor making it hard to clean the corners.

The Nikon reps at Macworld I spoke to all had the pat reply about using the Dust Ref image in Capture. It does work, I have tried it. But when finally needing it for some jewelry shots, Capture claimed I didn't "have enuff information" to use the Dust Ref image on them, so in the end I had retouched them, OUCH! The same reps recoiled in horror when I suggested sensor wipes or brushes, but that I am sure that is a liability issue.

As well my viewfinder is CHOCK FULL of dust (this little thread like ones, I call "shmigglies") I don't know if I clean the mirror or get someone into the VF but its brutal to look through this camera. I had these after about day 3 of usage.

I am sure it's a regional thinng and every camera will have it's problem but its something I battle at every shoot. here's hoping the D2x I have on order will be better sealed from dust.

[lightwrangler]

Ian,

I have been informed by my supplier here (Headshots) that Sensor Wipes aren't readily available anymore in Toronto. This is due to the Canadian distributor dropping the line. Apparently there is some hazardous material issue that makes importing from the US a problem. This in addition to the price issue (people shy away from them) is making them scarce. I walked away from the store with some PEC pads and am on the lookout for a spatula I can modify in order to make my own wipes. Frankly, blowing just .. blows and is rather hit and miss. I agree that the Nikon chamber is a bit more restricted than the Fuji one and consequently will make the CCD harder to wipe, but from past experience I don't see a good alternative. I may need to make a couple of "tools" in order to do the job.

I tried the software dust solution in Nikon Capture with mixed results. I'm going to call Nikon Canada and ask how much they charge for CCD cleanings as I can just drive over to them. If it isn't too much I may resolve to do this every 6-8 months. But I would rather do it myself. I haven't seen a CCD brush, but I guess it may be an alternative. Let's face it, we used to use negative brushes with good results and a neg has to be much easier to scratch than the glass cover of a CCD. I too await the arrival of the D2X, although I have yet to commit to one.

I'll let you know how it goes.
Cheers,
Adrian

[Sneakyracer]

I have the SENSOR BRUSHes and they are awesome. No mess, super fast and easy clean of sensor. Fully reusable. I think they are based in Canada also.

www.visibledust.com

Yes they are expensive but worth it.

[lightwrangler]

Sneaky,
Thanks for the heads up on this product line. I'll look into it. At this point no one seems to be handling it in Toronto, at least that I can see. So I'll most likely order directly.

[EV Comp]

As far as I am aware, Adrian, you have to order directly. They make them 'just up the road' from here, (Edmonton) but we have yet to find them in Calgary, at any of the major camera retailers. From what I read about them, the manufacturer simply does not have the capacity to produce the vast quantities that would be required for commercial widespread distribution. That's why they are keeping the retailing portion in house, at present. Thus far, I've balked at the $100 plus price tag on a set of brushes, but I know I'll have to cave in and buy them soon, or try to go the way of PEC pads and spatulas. So far, I haven't had too much of an issue with dust or dirt on the CCD. I had noticed a couple of marks in a few of my images recently, but managed to get lucky by blowing out the CCD and internal cavity of the camera with a blower brush sans brush. Like someone said here, this is a hit and miss method. I think I only rearranged the dust to areas not so critical. Good luck, IAN with the Nikon cleaning. I'm curious to hear what finally works for you. Many of my buddies shoot Nikons. I'd like to be able to pass along any expertise from you in this regard.

Cheers,
Gary

[ianmcc]

well the spatula mentioned in that site and I made for use with the S2, is far too big for the framed in sensor of the D70. Get something smaller.