Answered my own question – found the online video – holy cow! – very thorough!

http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2010/04/how-to-clean-a-camera-sensor

best

Fred

Just a question – just wonder if you could elucidate LR cleaning protocol; especially how do you “blow” (yuk yuk). No seriously … I actually use a can of duster (Bessler DustGun 100); I know this is supposedly verboten, but I am quite careful – empty new cans to about 50%, do a couple of test blasts to check for liquid in the nozzle/wand, hold the can still, bring the body to the can, just do a few short bursts. Point being, WAY stronger than the typical rocket/doggie chewy toy. (I’ve only had to retrieve the mirror twice so far …. just kidding !!!).

My 600 started with “some” dust right away – if it had not been for all the internet chatter, I think I would not have even thought twice about it. As it was, just cleaned mine a few times in the first months and kept an eagle eye out when I realized “this was an issue”. There were a few suspiciously large “chunks” from time to time – so I am prepared to believe something wacky happened to these cameras, design, mfg, tsunami, whatever. But now I am about to cross 20,000 clicks and this camera seems normal – (well, except for the Sony sensor which is just superb).

In a way its been good for me, as I have developed better hygiene (camera that is), where previously I would let the D700 (now backup) practically choke before I’d get the swabs out …

ps – Have rented three lenses from you so far – great hassle free service – if you are successful, you guys deserve it from my p.o.v.

thanks

Fred Mueller

Southborough, MA

I was surprised when you said that you’ve not seen other cameras with this “upper left” sensor dust/oil problem. My D7000 had oil accumulation on the “upper left” and it was a relatively well-documented issue on the net. I was able to remove the oil after a wet cleaning; which was pretty easy, though nerve-racking.

Have you seen this problem with the D7K, too?

Good find. I suddenly realized that you’ve become a voluntary quality tester for both Nikon and waiters like me. LOL. I’m going to wait more time to see. Thanks for your testing!

Well something might have changed! I took one shot when the D600 arrived. I couldn’t find a single speck, in spite of shooting blue sky at f16. So I pushed levels and curves HARD and still no spot. So, for grins, I cranked off another 200 shots at 5 fps. Still not one speck of dust. This is the 1st Nikon I have ever had that was this clean (over a dozen). Really puzzled. Have they changed their assembly and cleaning procedure? Maybe found the problem? #3060xxx from B&H arrived on January 22. I am amazed that Nikon USA wouldn’t offer your company some explanation. Oh well, that’s Nikon.

We’re not seeing nearly as many spots on older cameras, although they do still have the tendency to to stay in the upper left corner. I assume the location is because of the design, but that the initial ‘burst’ of dust over the first couple of months was from either debrit in the camera during assembly or perhaps coming off of some part that had friction. These latter two things seem like things that could be fixed in production, so I assume that’s why some people with newer serial number D600s aren’t seeing much dust.

Roger