Cleaning CCD

Cleaning D1x CCD notes:

This page is a collection of my cleaning methods and experiences.

What do I need to clean my CCD?

AC adapter or external battery source.

“Photographic” clean air (compressed air neutral gasses).

Sensor Swabs Type N – for Nikon by Photo Solutions Photo Solutions

Eclipse solution (same as above).

What you do:

Plug in AC adapter engage CSM N0.8 (Custom Function N0.8). This swings up the mirror, locks the shutter open and exposes the CCD but without activating or powering the CCD.

Remove lens and blow air (with due regard to cautions). In many instances this is all that is needed to keep the CCD dust free.

For the more stubborn dust:

Dampen Swab and carefully run across the face of the CCD once. Care needs to be taken to exert enough pressure but not so much as to damage the CCD. The Swab must be wet - but not dripping wet and the track across the CCD should be a nice wet shine like highly polished mirror.

The technique for this is learnt soon enough but one needs to start at the left side (not important) with the swab held vertically and descend to the surface as near the left (or right) wall as possible. A slight dance to see the fluid gather at the tip of the swab but not flooding is the sign to lower the angle of the swab to about 30~40 degrees and sweep across the CCD to finish up in a perpendicular alignment at the opposite wall and carefully lift away. All dust should be stuck to the swab.

http://www.photosol.com/

CSM 8

It is important and should not be short circuited by not using the CSM N0.8 such as bulb which when activated is in active capture mode and has several consequences - the one that interests us the most for cleaning is its dust attracting properties - which of course make our task more difficult.

AIR

Compressed air is useful but several cautions must be observed. Firstly the air must be of "Photographic" quality - common compressed air is driven by gasses that can become fluid and splash the CCD with slush.

Slush can also be introduced from a can that is tilted or shaken up or near exhaustion.

DUST

Dust is apparently in two types:

One that will blow away with air and or clean away with the CCD swab and fluid and one that won't.

I've had a dust specs that resisted fairly aggressive cleaning on three separate occasions only to have it glide away on yet another routine cleaning.

This dust resisted a bare tweezers - EXACTLY NOT WHAT TO DO - but frustration was getting the better of me - anyhow I thought I'd tear the CCD cover before it moved so I left it alone.

Thoughts on this are the possibility of differently charged dust particles whose electromagnetic field discharges over time and thus loosens the grip on the CCD cover - actual data is vague.

Minimise Dust

It is inevitable that dust will build up on any CCD. The type, amount and frequency depends on the working environment. The best way to minimise it is to change lenses as infrequently as possible. Keep the camera pointed downwards whilst effecting a change - not in a gale or dusty environment. Keep lenses, especially zoom lenses in plastic bags and air them out frequently.

Never changing the lens will not prevent the gradual build up of dust on the CCD.

Dust and Apertures.

Briefly dust spots are more noticeable with smaller apertures. Shooters using F4 and above (wider) may never notice dust. Studio and F22 shooters will notice it a lot, lot more.

HOME


	*Cleaning D1x CCD notes:* This page is a collection of my cleaning methods and experiences. What do I need to clean my CCD? AC adapter or external battery source. “Photographic” clean air (compressed air neutral gasses). Sensor Swabs Type N – for Nikon by Photo Solutions Photo Solutions Eclipse solution (same as above). What you do: Plug in AC adapter engage CSM N0.8 (Custom Function N0.8). This swings up the mirror, locks the shutter open and exposes the CCD but without activating or powering the CCD. Remove lens and blow air (with due regard to cautions). In many instances this is all that is needed to keep the CCD dust free. For the more stubborn dust: Dampen Swab and carefully run across the face of the CCD once. Care needs to be taken to exert enough pressure but not so much as to damage the CCD. The Swab must be wet - but not dripping wet and the track across the CCD should be a nice wet shine like highly polished mirror. The technique for this is learnt soon enough but one needs to start at the left side (not important) with the swab held vertically and descend to the surface as near the left (or right) wall as possible. A slight dance to see the fluid gather at the tip of the swab but not flooding is the sign to lower the angle of the swab to about 30~40 degrees and sweep across the CCD to finish up in a perpendicular alignment at the opposite wall and carefully lift away. All dust should be stuck to the swab. http://www.photosol.com/	CSM 8 It is important and should not be short circuited by not using the CSM N0.8 such as bulb which when activated is in active capture mode and has several consequences - the one that interests us the most for cleaning is its dust attracting properties - which of course make our task more difficult.
		AIR Compressed air is useful but several cautions must be observed. Firstly the air must be of "Photographic" quality - common compressed air is driven by gasses that can become fluid and splash the CCD with slush. Slush can also be introduced from a can that is tilted or shaken up or near exhaustion.
		DUST Dust is apparently in two types: One that will blow away with air and or clean away with the CCD swab and fluid and one that won't. I've had a dust specs that resisted fairly aggressive cleaning on three separate occasions only to have it glide away on yet another routine cleaning. This dust resisted a bare tweezers - EXACTLY NOT WHAT TO DO - but frustration was getting the better of me - anyhow I thought I'd tear the CCD cover before it moved so I left it alone. Thoughts on this are the possibility of differently charged dust particles whose electromagnetic field discharges over time and thus loosens the grip on the CCD cover - actual data is vague.

	Minimise Dust It is inevitable that dust will build up on any CCD. The type, amount and frequency depends on the working environment. The best way to minimise it is to change lenses as infrequently as possible. Keep the camera pointed downwards whilst effecting a change - not in a gale or dusty environment. Keep lenses, especially zoom lenses in plastic bags and air them out frequently. Never changing the lens will not prevent the gradual build up of dust on the CCD.
Dust and Apertures. Briefly dust spots are more noticeable with smaller apertures. Shooters using F4 and above (wider) may never notice dust. Studio and F22 shooters will notice it a lot, lot more.


		HOME