Nikon D-200 Sensor Cleaning 

Videos of the Nikon D200
Sensor Cleaning Process:

Photographer Thomas Hawk cleaning his Nikon 5D with Sensor Swabs and Eclipse:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z11mBKz22Uw

pec 12 photographic solutions products

 

The Manufacturers In-House Methods

Only Kodak, Leica and Fuji support the consumer in using the same method that they themselves use for cleaning the low pass filter. All the others manufacturers only support the non-physical contact use of a hand blower. If Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Pentax or Sigma, can tell that you have touched the low pass filter, your warranty is void. On the other hand, Photographic Solutions Inc., guarantees that you won't damage your camera, if you use their Sensor Swabs™ and Eclipse™.
Canon - Blower and a Kimwipe, held by tweezers. They do not like to use fluid but when necessary they use either 90% isopropyl alcohol or a 50/50 mixture of isopropyl alcohol and Windex.
Fuji - Photographic Solutions Sensor Swabs and Eclipse.
Kodak - Photographic Solutions Sensor swabs and Eclipse.
Leica - Photographic Solutions Sensor swabs and Eclipse.
Nikon - A commercial grade lens tissue wrapped around a chopstick style piece of wood with medical grade methanol. Several forums have posts where readers have been to Nikon Service outside the USA and reported seeing the technicians using Sensors Swabs and Eclipse.
Olympus - A Kimwipe held by tweezers and Olympus Proprietary Solution (dries quickly without streaks and is bio-degradable).
Pentax - A special lint free cloth (provided from Japan) folded into a small square and held with a pair of tweezers as a swab moistened with a freon derivative.
Sigma - Uses a special vacuum cleaner that was provided by Japan.

pec 12 photographic solutions products

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Sensor Swabs
Types 1, 2 & 3

PEC-PAD is NOT recommended for cleaning the CCD. It is not the same material used in the SENSOR SWABS. We do not approve or warranty the CCD or any camera part from any damage caused by using non approved products.

Note: Cleaning the sensor has gotten to become a necessity. You now have many choices for sensor cleaning. Please review these choices and the companies behind them very carefully.

Some companies list no phone number or other contact info other than an email address. None have the backing of any camera manufacturer.

None have bothered to submit their product to any manufacturer to test. None offer live tech support or other help.

None state the conditions under which their products are made. None have been selling swabs for as long! One company even claims they were the first with cleaning products - they did not exist in 2003 !!!!

SENSOR SWABS
Cleaning Procedure

sensor swabs

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sensor swabs

 

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SENSOR SWABS™ are designed for cleaning CCD chips and other delicate or hard to reach optical and imaging surfaces. Clean room manufactured and sealed, these swabs are the ultimate in purity.

Although these items are not officially approved by Nikon or Canon, several digital imaging site message boards have threads discussing the need for cleaning these cameras, and the success with using these products. Read all instructions first and call us if you have questions - before proceeding. When used as directed these products are easy to use and safe and yield excellent results!

Question: How do I clean a D-SLR Low Pass Filter?

Answer from Nikon:
Cleaning the Filter with an Imaging Sensor Cleaning Liquid
..."There are various types of imaging sensor cleaning products available that may include a liquid cleaner together with imaging sensor wipes. It is possible that these liquids can be used, but as stated above the low-pass filter is extremely delicate and easily damaged"...see Guarantee Below:

CCD Sensor Guarantee :
Photographic Solutions, Inc. guarantees that its SENSOR SWAB and ECLIPSE products will cause no damage to the CCD or CMOS sensor when used in accordance with the instructions provided by the camera manufacturer and/or Photographic Solutions, Inc. (PSI) If it is determined that these products caused physical damage to the sensor, PSI will reimburse thecamera owner for the full cost of repairs upon presentation to PSI of proof of purchase, camera manufacturer's repair invoice and the damaged sensor. Use of non-approved methods, procedures or products will void this warranty. This warranty will cover any camera whether or not that manufacturer recommends our products or not and is good in any country.

Answers to the most commonly asked SENSOR SWABS questions

Why are these swabs so expensive ? What are they made of – Gold?
SENSOR SWABS are manufactured by hand in a clean room environment. We have not yet found a way to machine make them that will be any less expensive than they are now.

Why can’t PEC-PAD be used to make my own swab? Why is your warranty voided if a PEC-PAD is used to clean a sensor?
The swab material is NOT the same as the PEC-PAD material. PEC-PAD was never tested by us or any camera or sensor manufacturer so we do not know if it will be safe to use. We cannot be responsible for sensor damage when the PEC-PADs are handled, cut and folded by the end user. Handling the PEC-PADs will allow airborne residues to contaminate the PEC-PAD; cutting them will destroy the bonding and allow loose strands to get stuck in the sensor baffle. We have had a few reports that users have caused damaged to sensors after attempting to save a few dollars by making their own cleaning wands; we have also heard that many folks do this with success. We also know that some folks clean their sensor using a strip of adhesive tape! To each his own.

Who recommends the SENSOR SWAB?
Currently the swabs are officially recommended by Eastman Kodak, Leica and Fuji.
We also list many individuals, well-known and not-so-well-known who endorse the SENSOR SWAB and ECLIPSE method. Other manufacturers have varying policies regarding what materials should or should not be used.
Note: A manufacturer may choose not to publicly have their name listed for any number of reasons, usually to avoid liability if they recommend a procedure and the user causes damage. Our products are safe on ALL camera makes and models when the directions and common sense are used. Please see our Guarantee for the details.

What is the difference between Types 1, 2, and 3?
Size matters. Type 1 is 20mm in width. Type 2 is 17mm and Type 3 is 24mm.

Why not print this information directly on the swab box?
As new cameras are introduced, this information will change – often several times per month. The info if printed on the box would become outdated often and quickly.

What about the other cleaning methods discussed on the internet and digital camera forums?
There are many other methods available for sensor cleaning and these are described and sold on the internet. Some people are willing to try and save money by using a piece of tape to clean; or by making their own re-usable hand-made swabs. Many report great success. A few do not and face repairs of $700. or more! The choice is up to each camera owner

 

Click Link Below to find the correct items for you DSLR.

Sensor Swab and Eclipse usage for the most popular DSLR applications

Also new Sensor Swab Plus can be shipped by air!!!

Purchase Sensor Swabs Here

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MSDS - Word

MSDS - Adobe Acrobat

Traveling by air with ECLIPSE:

Technically, the regulations allow some exemptions for small amounts - usually ½ ounce or less (about 7 ½ mL) . The items referred to in the regulations are for such things as small butane lighters, and some medical items.

Strictly speaking the regulations seem to prohibit things like cleaning solvents, especially in volumes greater than the allowable ½ ounce. In many cases, I have been allowed to carry bottles of either product with no problem, but I have heard from many photographers who had these items removed from their carry-on.

Putting these materials in your checked luggage may put you at risk for violating the law, and the penalties are quite stiff – $250,000!

*It is recommended you arrange to acquire these items at your destination.

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Purchase Eclipse Here

For CCD & CMOS
ECLIPSE lens cleaner is the highest purity lens cleaner available, containing less than 5 parts per million (ppm) of contamination (the whitish residue left after evaporation) It dries as quickly as it can be applied leaving absolutely no residue, making it the only recommended cleaner for CCD and CMOS sensor cleaning when used with SENSOR SWABS. When used with PEC-PAD photo wipes, ECLIPSE is also safe and ideal for lens and filter cleaning.

For lenses & other optics
When used with PEC-PAD photo wipes, it is possible to clean only the portion of lens which is dirty eliminating "hazy swirls". Dispense several drops onto a clean, folded PEC-PAD and lightly wipe surface in a single direction. Refold PEC-PAD to expose a clean side and re-wipe as necessary. Other lens tissues may not work as well, and some experimentation may be required. Each box contains a 59 ml. (2 fl. oz.) bottle with dropper applicator.

ECLIPSE is the recommended optical glass cleaner for Tokina Hoya Kenko USA, the US distributor for Hoya filters and Tokina lenses.

"Leica Camera AG recommends ECLIPSE Optic Cleaner and SENSOR SWAB Type 3 for cleaning the sensor of the
LEICA DIGITAL-MODUL-R"

Read a discussion on Leica Camera's Forum: DMR SENSOR CLEANING about using ECLIPSE and SENSOR SWABS

Fuji recommends ECLIPSE and SENSOR SWABS for cleaning their S1, S2 & S3 Digital Pro Cameras!
S1 PDF instructions from Fuji
S2 PDF instructions from Fuji

PEC-PAD is not recommended for cleaning the CCD. It is not the same material used in the SENSOR SWABS. We do not approve or warranty the CCD or any camera part from any damage caused by using non-approved products.

nikon d200 sensor cleaning

 

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