cleaning sensor and focussing screen on DS

Remember that you cannot fly with Eclipse fluid. Methanol is banned on airplanes, even in checked luggage. Visible Dust fluids are allowed.

Off topic a bit since the OP was talking about a DS, but what do people think about cleaning the sensors on the K100/K10?

I know theoretically this shouldn't be needed on the K10 because of DR, but the K100 has no such luxury.

I'm not that worried about damage to the CCD, as I think the low pass filter covering it is pretty tough, its the various components of the anti-shake system which concern me.

I think if my K10 ever manages to get dust attached to itself it'll go into the shop, I'm too much of a coward!

Pentax now do an "own brand" cleaning system for CCD's so I'd suspect that they are pretty certain it won't harm the sensor (probably cost 3x other systems though!)

really? interesting. Might be worth the extra for the fact that it doesn't void the warrenty!

Yep, SRS stock them http://www.srsmicrosystems.co.uk/index3.asp?id=574&section=Pentax&set=3

Auto translate review of it here:
http://66.249.93.104/translate_c?hl=en&u=http://dc.watch.impress.co.jp/cda/a...

I have found the answer!,,,,,,,,,,The arctic butterfly!...3 wipes and all the dust is gone,a magic little tool . When you consider sending a camera away to be cleaned will cost around £35 plus postage both ways the £49 price tag is not over the top.....I can recommend it ,it really works........Ken

Hi all,
This is how i clean my sensor. It looks like a horror story, but it really works with dry dust. So don't try it with wet particles who have bonded with your camera sensor.
At home i have a dyson vacuum cleaner. With adjustable vacuum power.
Seriously....I'm not kidding here. I have bought a spare nozzle witch has a slightly lesser diameter as the cameras lens opening. (i can hear the horror coming in from you all , right now). This spare nozzle is kept in a dust free zip bag and only comes out for the time i have to clean my sensor. On the outside of the nozzle i have slided a rubber ring witch prevents the nozzle to go in to deep in the camera body. Put the vacuum cleaner on, set it at it lowest power output, place nozzle for half a minute on lens opening of camera and voila.!
Clean and absolutely dust free camera internals. Have worked this method with a c*n*n 300 and 350, and a N*k*n d70S. No harm done and don't see a reason why a Pentax should be otherwise. Have my *istDL2 just a couple of days so no cleaning necessary yet By using the lowest power output you don.t have the risk of sucking your camera internals to the BIG darkroom above.
There will be a lot of people who think, He's gone bananas, over there in Holland, but it really works for me. The used cameras have been treated like this about four times each, and never failed me.
Just know what you do when you do it. And you will be fine.
IMHO this hole sensor cleaning issue is a bit overblown and off course all the companies who produce the various cleaning products are laughing their ass off, knowing that we as costumers are biting as hungry pikes at every new bate they introduce on the market.
just my 2 cnts.

Regards,
Martin

Maybe... maybe not.
It may clean the dust, BUT, one thing a vacuum cleaner can produce is huge amounts of static electricity. Shifting all that air produces friction and can result in high static discharges.
Since all digital cameras contain electronic components (and very high density and sensitive ones), personally I would try anything other than a vacuum cleaner
(And yes, I know what I'm talking about - I've been in the electronics inducstry for many years)

Just my 2pence worth

Matt

I know exactly what you mean Matt. Odd then, that the Arctic Butterfly from Visible Dust (which is what I use if the Rocket blower and DR doesn't work)relies on a static charge for it to attract dust away from the sensor.

Maybe not a high charge but a charge nevertheless.

Regards,

Isn't there a thin coating on the sensor? Would that not provide some insulation from a charge on the cleaning implements?

Non conductive materials tend to promote static. You use a conductor to reduce static ie channel it away. As such you cannot "insulate" against static.

Kim

The problem with high levels of static and sensitive components is that a discharge may puncture a small hole in the substrate of the semiconductor. Worse still, it may just weaken the substrate so that it fails later on

If you've ever visited an electronics fabrication plant you'll know they have very strict static precautions (foot wear, wrist bands, etc). Yes, it's less of a problem once the kit is built, but you should still be cautious about the possibility of discharges!

Matt

So what you are saying Matt, is that I should dig out my old anti-static wrist strap, the next time I clean my sensor?

No
You're probably holding the camera already - so it'll be at the same potential anyway

I'm not saying anymore...
Matt