K10D
journeyman
Reged: 25/09/2007
Posts: 94
Loc: Herts UK
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Hi all. If this has been done/covered before please redirect me. I have a few spots on my sensor which the rocket air can't shift, what's the next step? I've read about solutions and pads but I'm a little unsure as to which one's/make to use if I need to go that route. I take it the sensor on the K10D is covered by some sort of filter and so applying a swab will not be detrimental. All help greatly appreciated.
All the best.
Scott.
PS. Anyone have/use/know of a mini vacuum cleaner that would be of use in this procedure.
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f0t0fan
journeyman
Reged: 05/07/2007
Posts: 70
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Hi Scott
I'm sure the subject has been done before since I received some helpful info on the subject from members on the Camera Chat forum - researching that may help as I was directed to websites dealing with this topic - alternatively try the 7day shop website as this also has links to cleaning equip suppliers sites.
I also had problems with my K10D due to dirt adhering to the sensor (filter) probably caused by condensation. In the end I bought a bottle of cleaning fluid and 2 spatulas (Eclipse Optic Cleaning System)from my local camera shop. The prices are rediculous when you consider the basic cost of the materials but the good news is I now have a pristine sensor again albeit at a cost of £17+.
Hope this helps and gives you the confidence to proceed on a DIY basis.
Ron D
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K10D
journeyman
Reged: 25/09/2007
Posts: 94
Loc: Herts UK
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Thanks Ron, I'll wander over to the chat forum and see if there's anything over there. Yep, it ain't cheap! Wonder what's in the bottle that makes it so expensive! Strange that I should be cleaning my sensor this way seeing as the 18-55 virtually lives on the K10D? So much for the shake cleaning gizmo!
All the best.
Scott-------- bracing himself for a little sensor cleaning
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El Sid
Going potty
Reged: 14/04/2003
Posts: 9160
Loc: Sussex-by-the-Sea
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As has been mentioned before a surprising amount of dust and other contaminants are actually generated in camera by shutters and aperture diaphragms and focus mechanisms and mirror dampers etc. This seems especially common in new cameras. As for the lens issue the fact that you leave it on at all times is meaningless. As you zoom in and out and it focuses there are lens movements which means changes in total volume and this tends to suck air - and therefore potential contaminants - in, out and around the whole system......
The shaking sensor is pretty good for most particles but some, such as soot or pollen, are inherently sticky and will persist on the sensor despite a vigorous rocketing....  The only solution then is cleaning solution.... 
While the thought of cleaning the sensor is enough to make anyone nervous I reckon the lack of "OH GOD, I've knackered my sensor!!!" posts on the forums should be reasonably reassuring. 
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john_g
Pooh-bah Hoo-ha
Reged: 09/05/2007
Posts: 2197
Loc: Surrey
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I've had my camera for over a year now and haven't yet needed to clean the sensor, so this link, that I bookmarked quite a while ago, comes with no particular recommendation. Having said that, I think it does make interesting reading and might give you useful insights into which method you feel will work best for you.
http://www.cleaningdigitalcameras.com/index.html
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John
The best things in life are not things.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/john_gass
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Dave_Cox
old'n'grumpy
Reged: 12/07/2006
Posts: 2722
Loc: somewhere in Sussex
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Quote:
So much for the shake cleaning gizmo!
(
The dust removal action actually works quite well. I got my K10 last August, and can only remember cleaning the sensor twice. Compared to the D50 & D70s used by other members of my family that's pretty good going!
A bottle of eclipse fluid has lasted nearly a year so far and is still well over half-full. A packet of 12 swabs lasts us 4-5 months.
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Growing old disgracefully..!
http://snapper56.deviantart.com/gallery/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dave2006/
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K10D
journeyman
Reged: 25/09/2007
Posts: 94
Loc: Herts UK
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“While the thought of cleaning the sensor is enough to make anyone nervous I reckon the lack of "OH GOD, I've knackered my sensor!!!" posts on the forums should be reasonably reassuring.”
Thanks El Sid. Very reassuring indeed. Er---you don’t live local, do you 
Hi John. Great site, some neat tips and easy to understand. Many thanks.
Hi Dave. Guess I’m under the wrong impression as I’ve never cleaned my sensor and I bought it in September 07. Need to do more scheduled in camera cleaning 
This all started cos I had the bright idea of using the K10D as a pin hole for Sunday’s WWPPD and I quickly made a neat pinhole from an old lens cap and a bit of brass shim. Horror of Horrors when I viewed the shot on my PC. For a moment I though it must have been raining when I took the shot
All the best
Scott.
PS. Anyone tired using baby wipes 
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Monobod
'Phantom' of the forum!
Reged: 03/04/2003
Posts: 5672
Loc: Just West of Norwich, Norfolk
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I have a related problem, which might be easier to solve than a dirty sensor. I seem to have attracted a lot of dust and small threads of hair or fabric to the focusing screen inside the camera above the mirror.
Has anyone ever tried cleaning these? I thought a wipe with a dry cotton bud might be the best answer, as the Rocket blower is only moving it around. I can see it all sharply in focus through the viewfinder. 
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David.
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Photos hosted by Flickr.
www.flickr.com/photos/monobod/
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I see the world thro' a viewfinder, but the world watches me via CCTV!
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johnriley1uk
addict
Reged: 08/06/2006
Posts: 416
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The focusing screen is very delicate and soft and should definitely never be wiped with anything. The mirror too, don't touch it.
You might see dust, but it will have no effect on your images.
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Best regards
John Riley
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K10D
journeyman
Reged: 25/09/2007
Posts: 94
Loc: Herts UK
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Quote:
The focusing screen is very delicate and soft and should definitely never be wiped with anything. The mirror too, don't touch it.
You might see dust, but it will have no effect on your images.
Good advice! And even if the screen's are interchangeable I would only use a blower with no brush. My Mamiya DSX1000 (excellent 'tank' of a camera) PL Nova 1,MTL’s and a couple of my Oly's have dust, big dust but it don't affect the end picture which in my case is C**p anyway
I bought an OM 10 off a friend some years ago, he had hardly touched it let alone put film in it so I got a real bargain except for the screen which he once tried to clean with a tissue and some well out of date (bone dry) baby wipes
Swapped it out in the end, just too distracting!
All the best.
Scott.
PS. So when is the FF K???D coming out then----John
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Monobod
'Phantom' of the forum!
Reged: 03/04/2003
Posts: 5672
Loc: Just West of Norwich, Norfolk
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I assume I could get the focusing screen cleaned or replaced through Pentax Service. It is probably time I had the sticky dust catch strips replaced anyway.
There are two dense 'blobs' of something on the focussing screen which are really annoying me. I know nothing appears on the images, but it is there everytime I look through the viewfinder.
Perhaps it is time to upgrade to the k20D (any excuse is better than none!).
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David.
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Photos hosted by Flickr.
www.flickr.com/photos/monobod/
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I see the world thro' a viewfinder, but the world watches me via CCTV!
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noangel
journeyman
Reged: 21/12/2007
Posts: 63
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Hello David,
Ive had the same problem. It apeared overnight some weeks ago. The stuff sticks like glue and yes I tried to get it off with a wooden tooth pick and have marked the surface permanently.
It seems to have a powerfull static charge as removing a hair from one side promptly glued it to the other. and there was a lot of it.
I wonder if one of those Arctic Butterfly things might be suitable as they seem to work by creating a static charge on the brush tip
Alternatively move home to some place where the fluff volcanos arn`t so active
Regards,
John.
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Burgy
Grateful not to have one
Reged: 13/04/2001
Posts: 5185
Loc: This far, from beating 7 shade...
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I can't understand why anyone would use a toothpick to remove anything from a sensor, mirror or focusing screen
I have successfully cleaned focusing screens, sensors and mirrors for many years (more than 20 in some cases, and more than 10 in the case of sensors, including sensors that didn't have AA or IR filters on them) with litle more than brushes, lighter petrol, cotton buds and selvyt clothes.
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Cheers
Burgy BSRIPN, BSc, DSO and Bar (now open 24/7).
it's not what you've got, its who you do it to
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Monobod
'Phantom' of the forum!
Reged: 03/04/2003
Posts: 5672
Loc: Just West of Norwich, Norfolk
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I have a Pentax Z1-P film body which must be all of ten years or more old. The viewfinder is perfectly clean, not a sign of a hair or dust. Are the modern dslr's less well dust sealed in this department?
I have heard it said that the Rocket blower can force dust and hair behind the focusing screen, perhaps this is what has happened here???
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David.
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Photos hosted by Flickr.
www.flickr.com/photos/monobod/
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I see the world thro' a viewfinder, but the world watches me via CCTV!
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Monobod
'Phantom' of the forum!
Reged: 03/04/2003
Posts: 5672
Loc: Just West of Norwich, Norfolk
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In for a penny, in for a pound. I decided to attempt to shift the dust and the 'blobs' with a good puff session with the 'Rocket Blower'. If it failed, then it was back to Pentax.
I removed the lens and laid the camera on its back (not the best way up as the dust might fall back into the camera), held the Rocket in both hands with the nozzle end close to the focusing screen and gave it about 10 puffs. I then checked the viewfinder. Lo and behold the two blobs had gone along with most of the hairs. There is a little dust still there, but I can live with that as it is very minor.
I then held the body lens mount facing down and gave it a couple more puffs to shift any dust that might be in the cavity and replaced the lens. I then ran the shake routine twice.
It seems to be OK. Praise be to the 'Rocket' once again.
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David.
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Photos hosted by Flickr.
www.flickr.com/photos/monobod/
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I see the world thro' a viewfinder, but the world watches me via CCTV!
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noangel
journeyman
Reged: 21/12/2007
Posts: 63
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Thanks for the advice David. The dust and bits were on the face of the screen on the prisme side not the mirror side.
Anyhow I`ve taken it out again and blasted it with a
Rocket blower which seems to have got most of the gunk off this time. Oh yes, and it also removed what I took to be a scratch mark from when I used the wooden tooth pick.
Regards,
John.
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Monobod
'Phantom' of the forum!
Reged: 03/04/2003
Posts: 5672
Loc: Just West of Norwich, Norfolk
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Well done, no excuse now to upgade to the K20D for both of us.
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David.
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Photos hosted by Flickr.
www.flickr.com/photos/monobod/
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I see the world thro' a viewfinder, but the world watches me via CCTV!
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