Successful Cleaning

[bearman]

I've had my S2 for about a year and half. About a month ago I noticed dust spots and that's when I began to read. I knew that I needed to clean the CCD but it was just a matter of when and how. I read just about every comment in this forum on CCD cleaning and finally went with the Pec*Pads and the sensor swipe. I got some everclear from the liquor store (that was a fun experience) and cleaned it.

When I did my first test to see just how dirty the CCD was I was very surprised. I've now determined I need to clean more often. After six Pec*Pads, the cleaning got easier and the dust is all gone. Thank you to everyone who has put in an opinion or instructions or a cleaning method. I found them all very helpful.

Bear :righton:

[Swampy]

I was going to say, a year and a half and you're just noticing dust??? :) You went much longer than most people do before they notice dust.

Remember, there's a certain amount of "junk" in the air that will get to your CCD regardless of what you do. A good example, don't wash the inside of your windshield for 4 months. Take a CLEAN towel and using some distilled water, get the rag just slighly damp and take a couple really sloppy swashes at the inside of the windshield. Now. Wash the outside of the windshield spotless with windex or your favorite cleaner. Next, wait for sunrise or sunset and drive into the sun. Notice the marks on the inside of your windshield? :)

Anyway, just saying is all... Congrats on your first cleaning!

[Steve P]

Hmm, this has got me thinking. When I bought my S2 I got it home and was naturally full of excitment having finally got one of these famous camera's in my hand. Well imaging my disappointment when having fired a few shots at my Wife who hates having her pic taken I noticed a number of blobs!! :mad:

Ok, I delt with them via a blower but I haven't done it since and it's now 15 months old. I guess my question is although I've no visable dust/marks etc could there be a fine film covering the whole CCD just as you get on a wall mirror for example. This would naturally rob me of valuable detail. :eek:

[Igor]

fired a few shots at my Wife who hates having her pic taken...


... an "off-topis" remark, sorry, but I wonder why almost every photog's wife (including my) hates taking her pics??? :)
Maybe our ladies could explain ? :)

[Steve P]

Ah yes Igor, one of the great mysteries of life mate! Actually my Mrs is'nt that bad all things considered. I'm always poining the Camera in someones face and it's usually her's! :lol: With winter here it means less day light hours and that means less shooting! Can't wait till spring!!

[Igor]

...less day light hours and that means less shooting! Can't wait till spring!!

Same here Steve :( Pretty dull living... However much more time to sort /edit/backup/delete :D summer/spring shots :)

[Swampy]

I guess my question is although I've no visable dust/marks etc could there be a fine film covering the whole CCD just as you get on a wall mirror for example. This would naturally rob me of valuable detail. :eek:

That's exactly the case Steve. There's almost no way around it. If you only use one lens and it's not a zoom and you never take it off, you'd be pretty safe from blobs and that film. However, with switching lenses, you let pollution and dust particles in, whether just into the box or directly onto the CCD. It will all work itself to the CCD eventually. Humidity will play a good part in the film part. What that's going to do is build a layer or moisture on the CCD that (I would hope) you'd never be able to tell it's there really. When that evaporates when in a drier condition, it will leave the polution stuck to the CCD.

I'm not saying it's going to be as bad as your mirror on the wall or the inside car window, but it will be there.

My wife? Yeah, she doesn't want her picture posted. She doesn't seem to mind getting it taken SOME of the time.

[NZDoug]

My wife is a studio manager of 6 photographers and theres nothing she hates more, than looking at shoots.
I make her look tho..... :monalisa: :troutsmac ;) :flame: