where there’s smoke there’s forum fire
msmoto said:
my D4 sensor now has about 70 oil spots which appear as dark, soft, round spots,some with a slightly lighter center. Also, one bright (hot) pixel area. Exposure was from SB-800 at 1/4 power, and the image was about a stop under exposed.
Two simple and hopefully not to stupid but: Have you cleaned the sensor before? Do you have a sensor cleaner?
Clean the sensor? No, I have not done this, but it appears I may have to. What is the proper way to do this? Do you have experience with the sensor cleaning swabs?
msmoto said:
Clean the sensor? No, I have not done this, but it appears I may have to. What is the proper way to do this? Do you have experience with the sensor cleaning swabs?
There are risk involved. In my local shop, they pay a special insurrance fore times where things get ugly. Other shop tol me they could clean but assume no responsibility.
I would dare cleaning myself on cheap body or if I have no choice but definitely not on and expesive one whe there are qualified technicians that guarantee their work at a price similar to those cleanig swabs.
Just my two cents.
I used to clean my D3S regularly (I haven't had to clean my D4 yet, but I will). Like Ali, I am comfortable with it. In my experience the sensors are tougher than most people think. However, I always use sensor swabs and I always use a cleaning solution designed for sensors. I always clean in a bathroom without carpet or any other lint sources. I always blow off the sensor first with a Giotto's rocket and then brush with a lens brush (arctic butterfly), then blow again. After that I will use a sensor swab and fluid. If you are careful its not too difficult.... but if you blow it, it's your problem.
UPDATE on my RMA :
I wanted until 9pm today (Monday) to call them back to ask what was happening with my RMA. It took THIS rep about 10 minutes to research what my account said, then he asked me to give him the reason I wanted to return (should have been in there as I had talked to two others last week). He agreed -20 was way too much, apologized for the problem AND for the lost RMA.
I have an RMA #. Once I box this up I can reorder and plan on eventually (2-4 weeks) getting the refund credited to my card for this one.
If you're going to clean oil on the filter/sensor double check that the cleaning fluid is for removing oils. The regular eclipse fluid I tried the first time just smeared things around. The visible dust fluid (for oil) cleaned the oil up without smearing.
If it's oiled up badly (my D800 was), you'll use a bunch of swabs and it won't be cheap. The local authorized service centers will do a really good job free under warranty.
I just check my D4 for any dirt or oil by taking a test shot of the sky at F16 and sure enough I has some stuff on it. So I pulled out my goodies and after 20 minutes and two Peter Gregg SensorSweep's my sensor is as clean as can be. As for oil on the sensor, I would say I have to agree with Fred B.
I have two oil spots (presume) on my D800 sensor that show up in prints; particularly where there is strong color or contrast. I also had some stuff visible through the viewfinder from the factory. I cleaned up the viewfinder issues with a microfiber lens cleaning cloth and Giotto air blower but I haven't tackled the oil spots yet. Obviously I need mirror up to access the sensor but is there anything else I need to know beside exercising caution in a very clean environment? I am not afraid to tackle the job, just looking for sound advice on product/technique.
If you have never cleaned a dslr sensor before, you may want to try it first on an older camera before you try it on your D800. This last time I used a sensor Klear Loupe Ket from Lenspen. It allows you work with a tool through a side opening while viewing a magnified view of the sensor. Because I had some sort of smears I used Smear Away from Visible Dust. I then used a combination of differt sensor swaps from phographic solutions and the eclipise solution to fine tune small spot areas around the edges. It is very important to match sensor swap width to the size of sensor you have. Do Not use an APS-C sensor on a full frame sensor - it is not a car window!
After that and several passes at the camera clean it now, I have far fewer. However that can change at any time. I'll probably send it in to Nikon for a cleaning within the 1 year warrenty period.
Use good sensor swabs and fluid. Also be sure to use an FX width swab because a DX width swab might leave a streak. I use the Photographic Solutions swabs and Eclipse fluid. (Visible Dust is another brand.) For the D800 you need a type 3 swab. There are video tutorials that demonstrate the technique. ... Remember that the mirror lock up for cleaning is not available if the camera battery is not fully charged.
When I clean my sensor I first blow it off, then gently brush, then blow again, then use the swab. I wet the swap with a bead of cleaning fluid along the edge. I place the edge of the swab at the horizontal edge of the sensor and then apply enough pressure to flex the swab. I then pull the swab across the sensor in an even motion, all the way to the other side of the sensor. Next, I do the same thing but in the opposite direction and using the opposite side of the swab ( I don't use additional fluid)
Here is a video of a single pass cleaning:
| [+] Embed the video | Video Download | Get the Flash Video |
So, to continue the Long Exposure noise issue on the D800. I contacted Nikon Support and was told to send in a sample image, here is there disappointing reply;
Dear Steve,
Thank you for your update.
I have analysed the sample image provided and consulted it with other Pro Support agents. It seems that the effect you are seeing is natural for D800 sensor and long exposure times - unfortunately there is no other way of removing the white spots than keeping the Long Exposure Noise Reduction active. I agree that it may not be convenient due to doubled exposure time, however currently there is no other solution to this problem due to limitations of the sensor technology.
We apologize for the inconvenience,
Please do not hesitate to contact us again in case of any questions.
Kind regards,
So that seems to be the end of that for now,
well i have my D800 back from Nikon, and hey presto focus issue is fixed -1 compensation and its dialled into perfection :) and they also cleaned my oil off my sensor while it was there and updated firmware for lens corrections which i had not bothered to do, happy now things focus properly
The D800E that I ordered when I sent back my first D800E arrived from bestbuy. What I would like to know is how can they sell me a new camera that is not new ? it has ~9000 shots on it already.
Now I am not TOO upset about that as my initial test is looking better than the last one and I have time to put this one through some lens adjustments. Initially things seem to be the same on the left and right side SN 3005XXX.
Can they really sell me an item that left the warehouse already as new ? I plan to call them to ask this, though if the camera checks out, 9k shots is nothing on the shutter life and i will not give it a thought. But if i can get them to give me a gift card to compensate me .... ;- >
Geoff_K, everybody's different but personally.....I'd have a huge problem with it. 9000 clicks classifies it as "pre-owned" in my book and you paid full price? There's always the possibility that it was returned for another reason but I just don't think it's fair to you, especially if BB didn't tell you it was pre-owned.
Rx4, I called BB right away and have a case number. The woman apologized for this and said she would send out a replacement immediately and a call tag for this one. I told her she might want to check inventory since the E version was not frequently in stock.
She apologized again when she said they did not have one to send. She did tell me that I have 30 days to return an item I am unhappy with and that I could take it to any store to get my refund.
I will do some intense testing to check focus while I refresh the BB webpage to see if they list it again. The only problem I can see is they likely have a quantity of returns and they are just turning them around on the website.
I guess someone MIGHT not check shutter count on a new $3300 camera. When I took the photo it told me right there what the count was, so it was not like I set out to do that right off. I would have looked as I liked that my D90 showed I took the first image. Yes, I realize Nikon may have fired the shutter, then reset it before shipping them out.
I agree with you about it not being right and I am 95% certain it will go back. I reserve the 5% in case I find out it is rock solid. The old "working-properly bird in the hand vs 2 not available" or something like that. LOL
edit: Boxed it back up ( i only took out the camera as I have a spare battery from my last order ) and drove to the store. No problem getting my full refund credited to the CC I used to order.
Funny they NOW show as available ( i checked before I returned mine). I wonder if they are going to send mine out again. I was tempted to order, but would not be pleased to get the same camera back. ;-P
The Nikon Store processed my refund. It took ~2 weeks to get a reply stating they had refuned my CC for the purchase price. Bestbuy was instant, though they charge a sales tax so instant refund with tax vs 2 week refund with no tax.
I see the Nikon Store has the D800E available again, though I am unlikely to order another from them since I returned 1 already. They might be irritated if I tried to return another one. ;-)
I plan to wait to see what is released/annouced this month before ordering another D800E.
@Geoff_K just get the D4 and be done with it :P
Update...D4 sensor cleaned by me with Peter Gregg Sensor wipes. Used two, followed directions, no more oil spots. No damage.
Thank you golf007sd.
Oh, the video above posted two weeks ago on the D3 being cleaned.... most important is to take a blower, hold the body upside down and blow out any dust, BEFORE putting the cleaning swab on the sensor. The dust is what can scratch the sensor.
golf007sd said:
@Geoff_K just get the D4 and be done with it :P
There are 2 problems with this. First is the $6k price .. ouch, deal breaker for my hobby. Second is the "reach" I get from DX. While the D800 is not DX, it has plenty of extra pixles for me to crop (or so I told myself ;-) ).
If I dont like what I see from the D600 high ISO, it will be another attempt at a D800E for me. The reports of Nikon fixing focus problems are encouraging.
Geoff_K said:
...it will be another attempt at a D800E for me. The reports of Nikon fixing focus problems are encouraging.
Got my hands on a D800E today and it felt really nice. When I told the owner I had the D4, he was very cooperative in letting me play with it a bit, while take some pictures of him and his family. I think the D800E will service you nicely...good luck with your next purchase.
Cheers...
golf .. I decided to try again. Bestbuy .. Amazon (merchant) and Nikon Store all list them as buy now. I am hoping it was a new shipment that arrived however BB has an easy return policy.
I paid for speed shipping and should have it the 18th or 19th. My fingers are crossed that 3 times will be the charm.
I will report what happens. ;- >
My 3rd D800E arrived today. I am HAPPY to say that Focus appears to be spot on. No micro adjustements necessary.
The far left and right focus points are equal and only very slightly (am I just thinking they are due to past problems i had, or are they) softer than the center.
Now to stop shooting test charts and enjoy my camera.
OH, My first shot showed as image #1 on this one. ;- )
Anyone concerned that the Nikon D4 is still the only camera with XQD support?
I mean, Sony invented the format and it isn't even on their A99 mirrorless full frame!
@ NSXType-R, I was wondering about that some time ago but felt that since I don't own the camera I wouldn't open up the subject. If the XQD showed up in a few more things then I could understand it but for now I dunnow.
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