On my D800:
The auto sensor cleaning during switching the camera on or off seems not to work.
When switching the camera on it's immediately ready. It seems that the cleaning needs no time.

When i manually call the cleaning if have to wait some seconds and the
camera shows the busy status in the upper display.

(On a D3000 set to auto cleaning you see on starting the camera
a busy message. )

I think this is another bug.
Maybe Nikon can be informed about that and fix it in the next firmware update,
or give more info about this behavior.

Best regards, Hannes

@ golf007sd - These were the pre-moistened swabs. They actually seemd quite wet I have since bought some Visible dust swabs. These have three variations, one for water, one for oil and one in between. I am guessing the Eclipse ones couldn't cope with the oil they just seemed to smear it across the sensor.
The beauty about the sensor loupe which has 7 x magnification and LED lighting I can now see exactly what is on the sensor though hopefully a while before i have to tackle this again.
If it was oil blobs off the oil mechanism then i suppose because I have been shooting a fair bit of wildlife and sport at high frame rate this has accelerated the problem.

Your probably right golf a dx body might be nice like a D7000 maybe? Obviously a D4 as you suggest sevencrossing would be amazing but I can't afford one. I've seen them in action most recently yesterday at an auto convention and they are really outstanding.

Is it just me or do you find the FX sensors to be much worse for crap collection? Makes sense larger sensor, more static? I didn't have a problem no matter how many times I changed lenses on my D40x, D80, D300 cameras, but noticed it on my D700 and now the D800e. My Leica M9 is prown to spots as well, but my Nikon F90x and F100 film cameras were fine. I know film and digital are completely different animals but...

Proper lodging for homeless dust is good. Like others I too am afraid of the shining light that is the sensor, I cower in fear once the surface is seen and cry and shiver until it is once again hidden. I mean this all in humor and in deep appreciation for the accounts shared here

OnTheRopes said:
@ Andyp - I believe, but stand to be corrected that it is supposed to drop onto a sticky pad below or something?

Update - So I cleaned my sensor using Sensor Swab Eclipse 3
Followed the instructions on the pack. I used all 4 swabs and still the sensor was dirty. I did apply some pressure as instructed and did full sweeps each way with the swab.

So, having about an hour of shopping time left I legged it down to the LCS who sorted it out for £40.

Next time I will try again myself but I did invest in a Quasar sensor loupe to make it easier.

You need to make sure your swabs are not to dry...hence you will need to apply some Eclipse Fluid...about 2-3 drops.

andyp said:
Does anyone know what happens to the dust removed by the self cleaning sensor?

I believe there is a sticky strip inside the mirror box.

spraynpray said:
You're a brave man - nobody but a Nikon repair centre touches my sensor.....

I'm also too much of a coward to have ever tried "wet" cleaning, but I do have and use an Arctic Butterfly brush. Normally does a great job.

You're a brave man - nobody but a Nikon repair centre touches my sensor.....

@ Andyp - I believe, but stand to be corrected that it is supposed to drop onto a sticky pad below or something?

Update - So I cleaned my sensor using Sensor Swab Eclipse 3
Followed the instructions on the pack. I used all 4 swabs and still the sensor was dirty. I did apply some pressure as instructed and did full sweeps each way with the swab.

So, having about an hour of shopping time left I legged it down to the LCS who sorted it out for £40.

Next time I will try again myself but I did invest in a Quasar sensor loupe to make it easier.

Does anyone know what happens to the dust removed by the self cleaning sensor?

@ Sevencrossing - The D4 would be my perfect companion for the D800 too. However it may have to be the D400 if it happens. we shall see.

So, today is sensor cleaning day, wish me luck if you never hear from me again then you know it didn't go well ;)

kanuck said:
:( Your right though there is nothing like having two bodies especially for avoiding crap collecting on your sensor.

Even If you cleaned your sensor one a month, you could buy enough swabs to last about 100 years for the price of a second body

I don't think your will completely eliminate dust on the sensor, but regular cleaning of the mirror box should help

As you say, the D700 is a fabulous camera but now you are used to the 800, you will not want to go back to a 700 . I think the perfect back up for the 800 is a D4 ( no I cant afford one ether but given sufficient funds that's what I would buy )

kanuck said:
golf007sd, I wish I could have kept my D700 and had a second body, but $4 grand had to come from somewhere for the D800e :( Your right though there is nothing like having two bodies especially for avoiding crap collecting on your sensor. When I finish my graduate studies I will have a D700 again as my second body. The D700 is still the best camera I have ever used even after nearly four months and nearly 20,000 captures on the D800e now..

Kanuck, given that you already have an amazing FX body, I would recommend considering a DX body as a backup. The added 1.5 crop factor really does come in handy, specially if you have good glass...which I know do. Moreover, it sure help keep the cost down, which as we all know, goes toward more Nikon kick-ass glass. :P

Cheers

golf007sd, I wish I could have kept my D700 and had a second body, but $4 grand had to come from somewhere for the D800e :( Your right though there is nothing like having two bodies especially for avoiding crap collecting on your sensor. When I finish my graduate studies I will have a D700 again as my second body. The D700 is still the best camera I have ever used even after nearly four months and nearly 20,000 captures on the D800e now..

kanuck said:
I think this option is essentially useless on the bodies. It might get rid of lint or fuzz, (maybe) but I always have spots that are noticeable on skies in landscape images especially. I need a wet clean badly for my sensor and usually require one every month. It must be from all the lens changing that occurs constantly. Also, I cannot hear anything on my D800e as far as any noise.

Without question changing lenses is the #1 culprit for dust gets on our sensors. That is why having two bodies such an advantage. Hence, keep your old body when you upgrade to your next DSLR :P

Also it is important to note that even if you do have dust on your sensor, you will not see it in photo's until you start shooting @ f/8 or lower (ie. f/11, f/16..etc...etc.).

Cheers

I think this option is essentially useless on the bodies. It might get rid of lint or fuzz, (maybe) but I always have spots that are noticeable on skies in landscape images especially. I need a wet clean badly for my sensor and usually require one every month. It must be from all the lens changing that occurs constantly. Also, I cannot hear anything on my D800e as far as any noise.

Cheers all
@ sevencrossing - LOL
@ golf007 - Thanks I think I will probably give this a go.
@ skintbrit - good idea I'll check this out but they're never around when you need them most.

Alternatively keep your eyes peeled in the photographic press for events where companies are offering free sensor cleaning. I've had the sensors professionally cleaned in my cameras several times, and never paid a penny. Does that make me a tight ***, or a shrewd operator? :-)

Sensor cleaning is not a big hard task to accomplish dear friends. There are just a few easy step to follow: 1) make sure your battery is fully charged to luck up the mirror. 2) Fine a location in the has very little air flow, thus preventing from anything getting on the glass and sensor while cleaning 3) use the right cleaner for your sensor (I have been using Peter Gregg SensorSweep's). All in all the whole processes takes less than 3 minutes.

Cheers

msmoto said:
Having never attempted to clean a sensor, would it make sense (No Pun Intended) to mount the camera body on a tripod so as to have a stable work area and not have to hold the body and the swab?

I think the kitchen tabel is less likly to fall over :)

Having never attempted to clean a sensor, would it make sense (No Pun Intended) to mount the camera body on a tripod so as to have a stable work area and not have to hold the body and the swab?

I use, Sensor Swap ( check you get the right size for your sensor ) and Eclipse optic cleaning fluid. (They do an instruction vidio)

You also need some sort illuminated magnifier, such as the Lightcraft Flexible Magnifier

Before you start, careful clean the work area, have a nice cup of tea, lock the door to the room you are working in, make sure you are sitting comfortably, , and don't do it in a hurry

Paperman said:
And should we really believe it is being cleaned when it is on :-) ? If that glass/filter in front of the sensor is anything like my notebook's screen , I doubt shaking/blowing so little air will move any dust from that surface. Even if it does, the only place those dust particles will eventually land is the same charged surface.

Yes you're right Paperman, it could all be an elaborate hoax! One of the guys at NPS, made a suggestion that I have since followed...... He puts a square of double sided sticky tape in each lens/body cap, as he feels it can't do any harm, and might catch some of the dust or dirt within the system. Might be worth trying the cleaning program whilst the sticky tape equiped body cap is on?

OnTheRopes said:
The number of spots on my sensor is getting beyond a joke now, auto clean and Giotto rocket has no effect so I suppose it is the dreaded oil spots.
I have ordered some cleaning pads so hope I manage to clean it without making it any worse.

Go very carefull! It's not a job for the faint hearted (or ham fisted).

The number of spots on my sensor is getting beyond a joke now, auto clean and Giotto rocket has no effect so I suppose it is the dreaded oil spots.
I have ordered some cleaning pads so hope I manage to clean it without making it any worse.

before dust gets on the sensor it is probably in the mirror box, the flang or the lens barrel, so keeping the mirror etc box clean, is a very good idea