Is this a stain??

JeffJS · 01-04-2011, 06:01 AM

Originally posted by bsimon

Is the O-ICK1 safe? Should I bring it to a camera shop to have them clean it? I'm a bit afraid actually touching the sensor myself for fear of making it worse and/or voiding my warranty...

In my experience it's quite safe as long as you follow the instructions. The key to it, as I note in my article, is a light touch and making sure the wand stays clean. If the dust is fused on somehow, you'll be going for a wet clean. That, however, is a last resort as far as I'm concerned. You can have a shop do it if you like but most charge a pretty hefty sum. On the upside of that I guess, if THEY screw it up, it's on them to fix it.

PinarelloOnly · 01-04-2011, 06:17 AM

Originally posted by jolepp

Oh, the Pentax O-ICK1 might be worth a try before going for a wet clean.

The best cleaning device on the market by far!!!!! It's what
the shops use and if you ever watched them it's way too easy
and way better than any wet clean system.

There is a video somewhere of a Leica technician using one of these at the
end of a production line on one of their medium format digital cameras.
I think it was a Leica S1.

If my sensor can't clean itself then I use my "sticky stick".

jolepp · 01-04-2011, 08:11 AM

Originally posted by bsimon

Is the O-ICK1 safe? Should I bring it to a camera shop to have them clean it? I'm a bit afraid actually touching the sensor myself for fear of making it worse and/or voiding my warranty...

I suppose the job can be botched with that too. If used carefully per instructions there shouldn't really be much danger of that IMO. Also, it is a genuine Pentax - as opposed to a 3rd party - product made for the purpose.

Ivan Glisin · 01-04-2011, 09:46 AM

Originally posted by bsimon

Attached is a crop of the spot.

OK, it's dust 99.9% A bit harder blow or a cleaning kit should get rid of it. BTW, protective glass filter over sensor is about as sensitive as front lens element, so although careful handling is always recommended it is not that easy to damage it.

bsimon · 01-06-2011, 09:41 PM

I ordered the Pentax cleaning kit... Does anyone know what the spot on the K-7 image I attached above is? I went back and checked that camera too. It seems too dark to be dust and I can't remove it with the blower. Thanks!!

JeffJS · 01-06-2011, 10:43 PM

They appear to be dust as well. Be aware that the O-ICK1 is the second to last defense against dust. Try the non touch methods first. If the O-ICK1 cannot get it after that (if required), time for a Wet clean. That said, I've rarely (read 2 times) actually had to resort to a wet clean, in 4 years and 6 or 7 cameras.

01-04-2011, 06:17 AM	#17
PinarelloOnly Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Shoreline CT Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 86	Originally posted by jolepp Oh, the Pentax O-ICK1 might be worth a try before going for a wet clean. The best cleaning device on the market by far!!!!! It's what the shops use and if you ever watched them it's way too easy and way better than any wet clean system. There is a video somewhere of a Leica technician using one of these at the end of a production line on one of their medium format digital cameras. I think it was a Leica S1. If my sensor can't clean itself then I use my "sticky stick". Last edited by PinarelloOnly; 01-04-2011 at 06:29 AM.

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01-04-2011, 06:01 AM	#16
JeffJS Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Michigan, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,484	Originally posted by bsimon Is the O-ICK1 safe? Should I bring it to a camera shop to have them clean it? I'm a bit afraid actually touching the sensor myself for fear of making it worse and/or voiding my warranty... In my experience it's quite safe as long as you follow the instructions. The key to it, as I note in my article, is a light touch and making sure the wand stays clean. If the dust is fused on somehow, you'll be going for a wet clean. That, however, is a last resort as far as I'm concerned. You can have a shop do it if you like but most charge a pretty hefty sum. On the upside of that I guess, if THEY screw it up, it's on them to fix it.

01-04-2011, 08:11 AM	#18
jolepp Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Finland Photos: Albums Posts: 3,196	Originally posted by bsimon Is the O-ICK1 safe? Should I bring it to a camera shop to have them clean it? I'm a bit afraid actually touching the sensor myself for fear of making it worse and/or voiding my warranty... I suppose the job can be botched with that too. If used carefully per instructions there shouldn't really be much danger of that IMO. Also, it is a genuine Pentax - as opposed to a 3rd party - product made for the purpose.

01-04-2011, 09:46 AM	#19
Ivan Glisin Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Belgrade Posts: 656	Originally posted by bsimon Attached is a crop of the spot. OK, it's dust 99.9% A bit harder blow or a cleaning kit should get rid of it. BTW, protective glass filter over sensor is about as sensitive as front lens element, so although careful handling is always recommended it is not that easy to damage it.

01-06-2011, 09:41 PM	#20
bsimon Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 35 Original Poster	I ordered the Pentax cleaning kit... Does anyone know what the spot on the K-7 image I attached above is? I went back and checked that camera too. It seems too dark to be dust and I can't remove it with the blower. Thanks!!

01-06-2011, 10:43 PM	#21
JeffJS Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Michigan, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,484	They appear to be dust as well. Be aware that the O-ICK1 is the second to last defense against dust. Try the non touch methods first. If the O-ICK1 cannot get it after that (if required), time for a Wet clean. That said, I've rarely (read 2 times) actually had to resort to a wet clean, in 4 years and 6 or 7 cameras.