Dirty Sensor & the AC adapter flap

I managed to go a good year before seeing some of the "oil spot" / dirty sensor issues that I've read some people complain about with the D7000, requiring something other than the bulb-blow that has worked those far. What I've noticed lately is that the rubber flap at the base of the trigger tower used for the AC adapter has been flapping open rather easily. I've never used the adapter, but the flap location coincides with where my pinky finger winds up when I'm shooting. I'm assuming that this could be letting additional dust in rather easily, though it does lead to the batter compartment and not directly to the innerds.

Anyone else have this issue? Thinking about sticking a piece of tape over it, or putting the battery grip on as a permanent fixture (haven't had it on for about a year - I only really use it when I'm on a day-long birding outing), if only to give my finger somewhere else to go.

It's probably just dust. If it would have been oil you'd have noticed before I think.

Do a youtube search about sensor wet cleaning, get the products and just do it. It's not rocket science.

If you're not sure or feel safe about it, just go to your local camera shop and ask the person who does the sensor cleaning to clean your's while you watch and explain how what and why he does it the way he does.

Be brave!

I'm not familiar with the D7000, but I have some experience with a dirty sensor on my D700.

I over-sprayed canned air and oil spots appeared on the sensor filter. I took the camera to a local shop and they charged me $53 and told me it might need to be cleaned again. I wasn't too happy with that answer, and sure enough I could still see a couple of spots, but I wasn't going to pay the same guy another $53.

I decided to try an authorized Nikon repair shop a little further away. The technician there did the work, told me it required 6 cleanings to clear up the problem, and if anything showed up within a month, I could bring it back for a free re-cleaning. The cost was the same $53, but this time, no spots could be detected. THAT was good service.

So, I have two suggestions: 1) NEVER use canned air to clean the sensor filter, and 2) Be sure the technician commits to cleaning it until all the spots are removed.

Good luck.

Thanks, Gents. I did the sensor cleaning myself after scouring the interknot thoroughly first to make sure that I did it correctly and with the proper tools. I knew about avoiding compressed air, but what I wouldn't have thought of was not to blow on it myself, but the moisture in ones own breath can damage the sensor (never huff in there). I finally turned to my brother, a pro news photographer, who gave me the same advice I'd already found, but then said that between Canon's "Delete Dust Data" tool and the techs at work he's never had to clean one himself. Elitist!! LOL

I bought the Eclipse solution and swaps in kit form on Amazon (had a bulb blower already) and it did the trick on the first try. We'll see how long that lasts.

BTW, I'd love to see Nikon come up with a tool along the lines of Delete Dust Data. Very powerful. I know Capture NX2 has a dust removal tool, but I don't feel like forking over the change for it with Lightroom, PSE11 and the other Nik tools on my Mac (since Capture NX2 is a Nik tool I wish they'd move the dust option into Dfine or Sharpener). Sure, I can do it in Lightroom, but I find the the spot removal tool there to be limited.