I desperately need to clean the sensor of my D700. Does anyone know if it is ok to do so yourself. I have done it regularly with my D200. Is there any difference with the 700 having the cleaning curtain?
I read several opinions about it and they are self-contradicting. All official manuals strongly discourage this. No wonder - the price is very high, so officially nobody is going to take any responsibility for damage. However, unofficially everybody is saying that cleaning D700 is identical to cleaning D200. I have been cleaning my D700 and I haven't had any problem yet. It cleans very simple - even simpler than D200 because the sensor is larger. However, I can't promise that in one of those cases I will not damage my sensor and will be regretting this for the rest of my life.
On the other hand, once I took my old D200 to the cleaning service and watched how they did it. And what? They do it EXACTLY the same I am doing it. Plus, they are using exactly the same chemicals and tools I am using. I don't remember the name of the kit, but the pro shop that is cleaning the sensors also sell those kits they are using. Tomorrow I will tell you exact name of the kit. I has tissues, solution and a plastic stick you wrap with the tissues.
However, if you feel only a bit uncomfortable with doing it yourself, don't do it. Take it to the pro-shop. They will do it exactly as if you did it yourself, but at least it will give you peace of mind..
Charlie, those did make things a bit better but not remove the spots.
Cezar, thanks for your info. Knowing that someone else had done it helped. I took out my cleaning supplies that I had used for the D200 and cleaned. The spots are gone!!!
Posted by Larry Fischer on March 19, 2010 at 1:06 PM
My information from an authorized dealer is the sensors are pretty tough. One just does not want particulate matter on the sensor when cleaning is done.
I've used the "Dust Wand Kit" at least 4 times. Good visualization, good lighting and respectable eye-hand coordination will allow you to remove stuff.
I blow with a hand bulb, then use an "Artic Butterfly", then Dust-Wand. The have a tutorial on line and advertise several other products. It runs about $80 for an authorized dealer to do what you can do.
Discussion
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On the other hand, once I took my old D200 to the cleaning service and watched how they did it. And what? They do it EXACTLY the same I am doing it. Plus, they are using exactly the same chemicals and tools I am using. I don't remember the name of the kit, but the pro shop that is cleaning the sensors also sell those kits they are using. Tomorrow I will tell you exact name of the kit. I has tissues, solution and a plastic stick you wrap with the tissues.
However, if you feel only a bit uncomfortable with doing it yourself, don't do it. Take it to the pro-shop. They will do it exactly as if you did it yourself, but at least it will give you peace of mind..
Cezar, thanks for your info. Knowing that someone else had done it helped. I took out my cleaning supplies that I had used for the D200 and cleaned. The spots are gone!!!
I've used the "Dust Wand Kit" at least 4 times. Good visualization, good lighting and respectable eye-hand coordination will allow you to remove stuff.
I blow with a hand bulb, then use an "Artic Butterfly", then Dust-Wand. The have a tutorial on line and advertise several other products. It runs about $80 for an authorized dealer to do what you can do.
As always, caveat emptor...
the fisch