CLEANING THE CCD in DIGITAL SLR CAMERAS
How to clean the CCD in a Digital SLR Camera is one of the more controversial issues circulating through the camera industry today.
The official word from camera manufactures like Nikon and Canon is - don’t!
They recommend the camera be sent to their repair station for proper cleaning of the CCD if needed. (As suggested in the camera’s instruction book.)
The one method that seems to be somewhat accepted if it becomes absolutely necessary to clean the CCD yourself, is the use of a large air bulb like the “Rocket Air”. With this method nothing touches the CCD during the cleaning process except air.
The recommended procedure is to first remove the lens from the camera. Be sure and keep the front of the camera pointed down during the entire procedure to avoid getting even more dust inside the camera.
Lock the mirror up out of the way as described in the cameras instruction book. This will expose the CCD.
Then while keeping the camera pointed down, give the CCD several blasts of air from the large air bulb. Be careful not to touch the CCD. That should remove the dust on the CCD.
Return the mirror to it’s proper position. Attach the lens keeping the camera pointed down, and your done.
We’re very much aware that there are lots of different products and methods available to the photo industry that claim to be safe for cleaning the CCD.
We’ve spoken directly to the manufacturers of many of these products who claim they have the endorsement of camera manufacturers for their CCD cleaning products.
However, when we talk with camera manufacturers, they make it very clear that they have not endorsed any method other than sending the camera into their repair stations as stated in their instruction books for cleaning the CCD.
The concern of course is the possibility of scratching or damaging the CCD during the cleaning process. Nikon and Canon tell us that replacing the CCD in a Digital SLR is very expensive. Because camera manufacturers don’t recommend cleaning the CCD yourself, there would be no implied warranty to cover any damage done to the CCD during the cleaning process.
As a leading manufacturer of optical cleaning products and with more than 25 years experience, it’s only natural that Peca Products Inc. has been looking into the best method to clean a CCD and bring it to market. Our expertise in the field of optical cleaning gives us a great deal of insight into what’s needed to properly clean delicate surfaces.
In the meantime Peca Products Inc. will continue it’s research trying to find the best way to clean a CCD. This research will continue until one or more methods are approved by major camera manufacturers.