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
--
Dr E D F Williams
_______________________________
http://personal.inet.fi/cool/don.williams
See feature: The Cement Company from Hell
Updated: Photomicro Link -- 18 05 2005
