CCD cleaning at Fujifilm for the S2, S3 and S5 Pro series cameras

[Andy Ang]

I think there are only 2 technicians in Fuji, need to be fair to all customers, they must service camera on a first-come-first-serve basis. Told normally takes around 5 - 7 working days.
Don't cut queue. Last time when I went there, saw a ya-ya-papaya guy demanding his camera to be serviced ahead of all other customers.:nono:

I guessed they should expand their customer service as with the launch of S5, a lot of D200 ppl jumped ship. ;p

 

[mingkor]

hi barnie

glad to see that you are now the proud possessor of the S5 Pro.

wishing you many good photo opportunities.

shek ming

Sensor cleaning for the S2/S3/S5 Pro is best DIY'ed. It is cheaper and often cleaner. Of course, care should be practiced in your use of your camera. I do send in my bodies to Fuij Singapore annually for servicing/cleaning. And I usually clean them again when I get them back, as they sometimes (they have done so!) still leave behind a couple of stubborn specks.

After all, a cleaning kit of swabs and pecpads and the eclipse solution is not all that expensive. Once you factor in the convenience and cleaniness, it is really worth it. I still have 3 extra sticks, if anyone needs urgently. All you need do is buy a pack of pecpads (100pcs) and a bottle of the eclipse solution, and it'll last you for many cleanings.

BTW - that stuff is what Fujifilm uses.

 

[dennisc]

That's not all that bad.. I was quoted 100SGD awhile ago by Fuji for CCD cleaning. When asked why so expensive, the techie tell me to refer to the manual to flip the mirror and use a blower to clean it.

 

[John Teoh]

Sian.... got my camera for less than a week and yet already kena dust that refused to go off no matter how I use the blower to blow them. Look like a trip to CP for the cleaning kit is a must do tomorrow.

BTW, any tips from those who clean themselves? Any things to avoid and if anyone has found some places good to do the cleaning?

 

[photobum]

Sian.... got my camera for less than a week and yet already kena dust that refused to go off no matter how I use the blower to blow them. Look like a trip to CP for the cleaning kit is a must do tomorrow.

BTW, any tips from those who clean themselves? Any things to avoid and if anyone has found some places good to do the cleaning?

The best way to keep your CCD dust-free is to have a clean the lens mount. Use lens tissue and a blower each time you switch lens. This is a good practice that my staff and I follow at work. Now our 1Ds MK2s do not make their trip to Canon Service Centre as often.

Finally, when you switch lenses, always tilt your DSLR downwards.

 

[John Teoh]

The best way to keep your CCD dust-free is to have a clean the lens mount. Use lens tissue and a blower each time you switch lens. This is a good practice that my staff and I follow at work. Now our 1Ds MK2s do not make their trip to Canon Service Centre as often.

Finally, when you switch lenses, always tilt your DSLR downwards.

Hope so. Tried using the sensor cleaning kit but look like I got some stubborn dusts.

 

[John Teoh]

After all, a cleaning kit of swabs and pecpads and the eclipse solution is not all that expensive. Once you factor in the convenience and cleaniness, it is really worth it. I still have 3 extra sticks, if anyone needs urgently. All you need do is buy a pack of pecpads (100pcs) and a bottle of the eclipse solution, and it'll last you for many cleanings.

BTW - that stuff is what Fujifilm uses.

Hi Azure

Just to check that you are using the pecpads with the eclipse solution to clean your S5pro sensor?

Was reading this page when I saw this paragraph, kind of confuse where should I use the pecpads.

"Pec Pads should not be used for sensor cleaning. They are included here because they are the ideal companion for Eclipse fluid when cleaning lenses. Each sheet measures 10 x 10cm."

http://www.eos-magazine.com/Sales folder/Sales/sensorcleaning.html

 

[photobum]

Hi Azure

Just to check that you are using the pecpads with the eclipse solution to clean your S5pro sensor?

Was reading this page when I saw this paragraph, kind of confuse where should I use the pecpads.

"Pec Pads should not be used for sensor cleaning. They are included here because they are the ideal companion for Eclipse fluid when cleaning lenses. Each sheet measures 10 x 10cm."

http://www.eos-magazine.com/Sales%20folder/Sales/sensorcleaning.html

Fuji recommends using Sensor Swabs to clean their CCD, not Pecpads. You may, however, use Pecpads to clean the lens mount,

 

[John Teoh]

Fuji recommends using Sensor Swabs to clean their CCD, not Pecpads. You may, however, use Pecpads to clean the lens mount,

Just a though, anyone know what is that piece of paper on the sensor swabs? Feel very might like Pecpads.

 

[madmacs]

Fuji recommends using Sensor Swabs to clean their CCD, not Pecpads. You may, however, use Pecpads to clean the lens mount,

its true pecpads are not meant for cleaning sensor. but have done that without problems ;p

 

[Azure]

Duh.
I use pec pads. And recycle the swab sticks.

Otherwise, you'd be spending a lot of money on sensor swabs if you intend to buy new ones all the time.

With a big pack of pecpads, all I need do is cut them, and wrap the old sticks and voila, a new cleaning tool reborn! The pecpads is the tissue-like "paper" on the swabs.

For your info, Fuji Singapore actually advised me to buy the pecpads.



Well, to each their own. You can continue to argue until the cows jump over the moon. I'll leave the semantics.

 

[John Teoh]

Thanks Azure for the comfirmation. I used 3 swabs last week but the dust like never removed. Finally decided to try the pecpad and it seem to clean better.

 

[Andy Ang]

Lol. Good for you. Eeh, found those tools for clay carving in Arts Friend. Very Ideal as a swab.

 

[madmacs]

i have one of these available if anyone wants it. from a used visibledust wet cleaning kit. just wrap a pecpad round it.

 

[yowch]

Fuji recommends using Sensor Swabs to clean their CCD, not Pecpads. You may, however, use Pecpads to clean the lens mount,

Manufacturers have trade agreements with suppliers. They will recommend only this or that, but not all works.

Third party un-branded batteries are hazards that causes burns and fires, and are not guaranteed to work, but most using third party batteries are fine, right? For that matter, Nikon users should not use lenses other than Nikons? Sigma, Tamron, Tokina and so many other third party lenses are doing pretty well. What about the unique Lensbaby?

So, when several thousand people in the world uses Pec-pads, including myself, and it works, well... it works. Save yourself some money. If you want to buy Sensorswab, go ahead, good for you to follow instructions to the point, and no one will fault you.

 

[photobum]

Manufacturers have trade agreements with suppliers. They will recommend only this or that, but not all works.

Third party un-branded batteries are hazards that causes burns and fires, and are not guaranteed to work, but most using third party batteries are fine, right? For that matter, Nikon users should not use lenses other than Nikons? Sigma, Tamron, Tokina and so many other third party lenses are doing pretty well. What about the unique Lensbaby?

So, when several thousand people in the world uses Pec-pads, including myself, and it works, well... it works. Save yourself some money. If you want to buy Sensorswab, go ahead, good for you to follow instructions to the point, and no one will fault you.

Just try to be cautious here. I wouldn't want to void the warranty of my S5 Pro if anything bad happen.

 

[Andy Ang]

You think by using sensor swab, if anything happens to the sensor, they will not void the warranty meh?

 

[madmacs]

You think by using sensor swab, if anything happens to the sensor, they will not void the warranty meh?

can say followed their instructions on page 206 of the manual ;p

 

[Azure]

For your info, there is one member of I know of, who when using his sensor swabs to clean, scratched the CCD of his S3 Pro. He has only recently dumped his S3 for a new S5 Pro.

And, for those who have absolutely no idea (ignorance is bliss...), you can recycle the swab sticks from your sensor swabs. Buy a packet of pec pads and cut them carefully. Each pec pad can wrap 2-3 sticks. This is the recommendation I got from Fuji Singapore two years back, after I sent my older S3 in for cleaning.

Have since been using that approach. With a little extra care, you can have a much more cost-effective solution. You only consumables become the pec pads and the eclipse solution, since the swabs are the most pricey element in your DIY cleaning.

If you want to do DIY cleaning for your S5, then you may want to get a one-time investment in the D200's swabs, or share with others who are using the S5/D200. The sticks are a little bit narrower, compared to the S2/S3 Pro's.

Of course, if you prefer to throw money away just to follow instruction manual to the T, it is your money.


PS - Photobum's suggestion of cleaning the lens mount does help. Use it. But remember to switch off the camera first. Fuji's sensors are notorious dust magnets.

 

[yowch]

Oh, there is one more method which I will certainly NOT recommend... the 3M sticky tape method. Lots of horror stories from people who dared to try.