What do you use to swab?

[snapshotmd]

How do you swab? what solution do you use? is it a kit you could buy locally? Mailorder? or straight from Fuji? and how much is it?

[The']

$1.29 for a bunch at any drug store. Yes, just normal cotton swab-- the kind you clean you ears w/ :-)). I have cleaned my cdd 3-4 times w/ them and no problem so far...

Precautions:
- Clean CCD as soon as you see any dust on it. This way the dust has not set in and is easier to clean.
- Try blowing w/ rubber blower first before attempting to use the swab. Most of time, blowing would do the job. Again, clean early so that dust has set hard onto the CCD--this way you may not need to touch the CCD w/ anything at all.
- DO NOT touch the cotton. Touching the cotton w/ your fingers may leave hand oil on the cotton. And when touching the oil'd cotton to the CDD, you may leave streaks. If streaks happen, you have no choive but to by the real stuff (Eclipse Swabs) which is a lot of $$.
- If you think you touch the cotton swab, throw it away and use a new one. They're so cheap so no need to take chances.
- Just note where the dust is/are and barely use the cotton swab to knock it loose and blow it off.

Hope that helps,
The'

[bjnicholls]

I would NOT use a cotton swab. It's as likely to leave lint as clean the surface.

I'm using Pec-Pads wrapped on a spatula to provide cleaning support. I'm using the approved Eclipse solution as well. A bottle costs a bit, but will last forever. Sensor Swabs are poorly designed (IMHO) and are very expensive.

Here's a link to a photo tutorial by Oscar Meszar that shows a method I've found very effective:

http://www.pbase.com/copperhill/ccd_cleaning

[lightwrangler]

I use a product called Sensor Swab in conjunction with Eclipse cleaning solution. They both come from Photographic Solutions; http://www.photosol.com The swab I use is made for the Fuji and I think it works quite well. (Sensor Swab A)
The swabs are expensive (12 for cdn$75) but the solution should last for years (cdn$10). First I use a blower to get rid of the loose stuff and then I add two drops of solution to a swab and wipe left to right, turn the swab over and then right to left. Use minimum pressure and do not rub.That's it, if it isn't clean then I repeat with a new swab. I use the "used" swabs to clean off the hard to reach spots on the camera (the viewfinder for example) and on lenses, then I discard it. It may be more expensive than cotton swabs but I can't put my trust in cotton swabs. Scratching the CCD would cost lots of money, not to mention the loss of income from having my camera in the shop.
The method I use was reccomended by a local pro shop. I had my doubts that it would work initially, but since I've done it a couple of times, I am amazed at how well it does work.

[Bernie Neuwirth]

Take a look at http://www.bythom.com/cleaning.htm

Thom Hogan has lots of good ideas.
You can buy Eclipse Cleaner and 10 PecPads from Adorama for around $7.00

Lots of luck
Bernie

[imagepro]

I get the best results cleaning the CCD using rubbing alcohol and a coton swab. Yes it's true.

I find it handy to identify the dust prior to cleaning though.

I setup at f22, push the lens out to it's max zoom, and make sure I am completely out of focus. I then shot a light blue card...white just doesn't show the dust like the blue.

Once I identify the problem areas I start the cleaning.
I use the medical swabs, on the 6 inch stick...cotton on one end only. I blow it off with air, dip it in the rubbing alcohol and gently start on the left and work right using small circular movements. Once I have covered the CCD...(remember the chip is covered by glass, so you are not actually touching the chip itself), I take another swab, blow it off, and go back over to pick up an excess alcohol to prevent streaking.

I then take a magnifying glass with a light on it....Walgreens $3.50, and take a good look at the CCD. If I see anything left behind, I clean another swab, rest it over the top of the particle, twist and lift. If it's still there, I try to move it to the closest edge of the chip.

Rarely do I have any issues with the swap leaving debris, but if it does, it usually is a thin strans, light as a feather and easily removed.

This has been quite successful for me.

Good luck to all.
Cheers.

[jknights]

I use a Qtip pre washed (just before use) to get rid of any stray fibres and I use methanol as the cleaning agent.

PecPads and the special cleaning agents are just nicely packaged equivalents of the above.

I also use A ReAir compressed air canister (see http://www.mikeshardware.com/section_reviews/review_reair_refillable_duster.html ). Also available from CompUSA for $28.
To blow dry and make sure there are no residual hairs or dust.