cleaning question

<p>I've had my D3s since Jan 2010 and, for the most part, I had not seen the need to clean the sensor -- beyond the regular 'in the camera cleaning'. The dust spots were so few that they rarely showed up on the image so I did not worry about it. However, what has been there for awhile is a 'string' mark. I had tried in-camera-cleaning for several months, unsuccessfully. Finally, I decided there are enough 'spots' on the sensor to make the decision that it was time to check what's going on in there and see if I can do a self cleaning. After much research and the purchase of the Rocket Air, I decided to take a look. One flip of the mirror and I saw, as big as life, the culprit. There was a red 'hair-like' thing that appears to be lodged in the camera, resting on the corner of the sensor. After a thorough air-blasting with the Rocket, I was pleasantly surprised to see the sensor squeaky clean -- all except the hair-like thing. I have read horror stories about sending the camera out for cleaning – as well as my concern for being without this camera for possibly as long as 6 weeks (I would probably send it to Nikon – but the last time I sent a lens to them, I found them to be less than stellar, so I will have to find another authorized shop). My other thought is that my research seems to have me leaning towards those ‘pads’ that you press against the sensor to lift any resistant debris off – since wet-cleaning may just move the ‘hair’ across the sensor during the process and put a scratch on it. Here’s my quandary: the ‘hair’ actually looks more like a piece of fine wire – and may have been there during manufacture and eventually found its way into the sensor area -- but I could be wrong. But if it is, the pad method may also cause it to scratch the sensor. Do I send it to Nikon and hope they take the responsibility if they damage it, or do I attempt to use tweezers to take it out (gasp! It took months for me to get the nerve to flip the mirror – I can only imagine how long I will ponder the ‘tweezers’ thing! :-). Has anyone experienced this sort of thing before? Thanks! </p>

<p>Like you, my one experience with Nikon Repair (West Coast), was less than stellar; it took four trips for a simple cleaning of my F100. On the other hand, they do stand behind their work and eventually fixed everything. They have the ability to rebuild your camera if they break it.</p>

<p>Just to confuse things more, at the same time my camera went to Nikon on the West Coast, my Coolscan V went to Nikon in Melville, NY for cleaning. It came back in perfect condition.</p>

<p>Because they stood behind their work, I would trust Nikon Repair, but I hope I never have to use any repair service again.</p>

 

If you have any good local shops near you that sell Nikons, not national chain stores, I would take it in and have them take a look. A

reputable local shop should guarantee their work as well.

<p>I wouldn't try tweezers - too much risk to scratch the sensor. In the early days of digital you could come across Scotch Magic tape to remove dust. Normally I wouldn't recommend it but it may just be what you need in this case. Why not give it a try, just touching the hairlike thingy, followed by wet cleaning if necessary.<br /> Another option might be Lens Pen's SensorKlear, followed by a Rocket blower and wet cleaning if needed. The sensor will need some cleaning now and then so you might as well get used to doing it yourself.</p>

<p>Have you considered using VisibleDust's Butterfly Sensor Brush?</p>

<p>Thanks for your feedback, all! <br>

@Bahram and Jos: checked out both of these suggestions on YouTube (my source for everything these days :-) -- thanks!<br>

@Devon: I will check out a local shop -- and use them if they stand behind their work. Since the D3s is discontinued, I would be lost if they say: we'll give you what it was worth, or something like that. @Brooks: And also will check the Melville shop (although, if memory serves me, I do believe that is where I sent my lens)<br>

I am going to think "worst case scenario" and assume it is a wire -- if so, tweezers would be the way to go, since pressing or brushing will certainly scratch the sensor -- but I will leave that responsibility up to someone else and have them put it in writing: you break it, you replace it. Thanks much, guys!<br>

Diane</p>

Hi , If it seems to be a fine wire , why not look in at your local auto shop for a telescopic rod with a small magnet on the end , used for picking up small nuts or bolts which always fall into the most awkward places . Just a thought , hope you solve it Miken

<p>@Mike: wow--what a good idea. I still would have to be super careful but probably would not have to get too close before it would attach itself -- and that would certainly confirm whether it was a wire or not. On the other hand -- I know that magnets and electronic things usually do not play nice with each other (evidence: never put anything with a magnet near your monitor -- it time, that area will get destroyed) -- and I am not sure if there is anything in the camera that may be effected by a magnet. But a good thought, Mike. </p>

<p>I would try blasting it with the sensor up, so that the hair-like object has a chance to fall off. Scotch tape on electronics is a bad idea, since removing it can generate lots of electrostatic charge, which could zap the sensor or amplifier/digitizer.</p>

<p>Thanks, Stefan -- I believe I did what you have suggested: hold the camera in the facing down position and use the Rocket pointing upward. That made no impact. The 'hair' appears actually lodged in the 'frame of the box'. I'm sure there is a better description of it: but the part that keeps the sensor in place or isolated from the rest of the camera -- looks like grey/black plastic, with fine grooves that encases/frames the sensor -- it is in those grooves that the hair-like thing is lodged; hence, no amount of blowing will dislodge it (which also leads me to believe it is a wire and not a hair -- it is very stiff). That is why the tweezer idea is so tempting -- it needs only a slight tug and I know it will be out. But, of course, if I am just the slightest bit shaky -- who wouldn't be :-) -- and I accidently get a fraction of a mm too close, I'm toast! Is there a surgeon in the house? :-) Thanks!</p>

<p>Maybe try some plastic tweezers. Just in the groove. You might not even have to grasp whatever it is. You may just have to loosen it enough to be blown out. You could also try a lenspen sensorklear. But use it on the groove, to loosen whatever it is to be blown out. The lenspens are inexpensive and will not scratch the sensor if you touch it.</p>

<p>ok -- you guys are just full of great ideas! plastic tweezers? -- I have never seen one, but hey -- that sure might work and I think I could just dislodge it if I only touched the groove area. I'm sure I would not be so nervous (and less shaky) with that -- or the lenspen -- to jar it loose. great idea, Brian!</p>

And the Winner is............? let us know.... Miken

<p>@Mike: I found anti-static/anti-magnetic plastic tweezers on Amazon -- I'll be placing the order soon and will give it a try. As Brian suggested, even if I can dislodge it from the groove I think I can blow it out after that. So...wish me luck! :-) thanks again you guys!<br>

Diane</p>