I expect that the sensor cover is exceedingly thin, while blue tack
sounds like it would be wonderful for cleaning relatively thick glass, I
may look into it for lenses, I would be afraid of putting too much
pressure on the sensor cover and causing it to crack.
Don Williams wrote:
Although the *ist D is the first 'undedicated' digital camera I have
it is not the first digital device with CCD sensors, or the first
fussy optical device I've needed to clean. The work I do is fussy and
dust blobs not only mess up the interpretation of photomicrographs
they are terribly annoying as well.
I've tried all kind of cleaning methods. Methanol on Ross tissue.
Brushes cleaned and prepared in different ways. Now I use 'Blue Tack'.
Not only on sensors, but on microscope objectives, camera lenses,
eyepieces and other optical components. Although Blue Tack *must*
leave something behind after it is peeled off, this trace amount of
plasticizer, or solvent, or whatever, is invisible, undetectable and
does not effect the optical properties in any way. In my laboratory,
in days of yore, we used collodion. A solution (in chloroform) was
poured over the surface of the (very expensive) lens or flat and when
it had dried was peeled off leaving a pristine surface. There are very
expensive lens cleaning solutions available now that are used the same
way. However, I clean microscope objectives that cost thousands of
dollars with blue tack without the slightest qualm.
Cut a piece a little larger than the sensor, press it firmly to the
surface making sure it makes contact everywhere. Then get hold of one
end (I use forceps) and peel it off. The surface of the window will be
as clean as you'll ever get it considering where it is inside the
camera. I use the stuff over and over again keeping it in a dust free
flat screw top container. I cleaned a lens five inches in diameter the
other day. For economical reasons did it in sections. I used a piece
of blue tack about an inch square and moved it about. To clean a very
tiny lens -- 2mm or less in diameter (the end of a microscope
objective) I make a sharp point and press in firmly again the mount
including the metal.
If this worries you, or if the 'blue tack' you have is suspect, get
hold of a dusty lens that doesn't matter too much and try it. Do it a
dozen times with the same piece of 'tack' and you'll see how effective
this method can be. You can find Blue Tack at Glubie Glue in Indiana
-- I think.
Don
P. J. Alling wrote:
As long as you don't have any particularly recalcitrant dust it
should be sufficient.
Shel Belinkoff wrote:
Time to clean the sensor in the DS ... locked up the mirror and saw the
sensor thingy. It looks like there's a plastic layer over the
actual pixel
things. Correct? Is that particularly delicate or is it for
protection,
and, therefore, of a durable nature?
I was thinking of using a blower brush with the brush bristles
removed. Is
that OK? Any other suggestions?
Shel
--
When you're worried or in doubt,
Run in circles, (scream and shout).
- Re: Cleaning Sensors P. J. Alling
-
