I hit 4,000 shots recently and decided to do the first "wet" clean on my D600. I have in the past blown off the dust and done a bit of "dry" cleaning with a micro-fiber covered Q-tip. I purchased the Visible dust sensor cleaning kit which comes with 4 Fx sensor swabs and enough solution for about 4 cleanings.
I took my test shot at f22, more extreme than my previous tests and cleaning at f16. I have had more dust than you would expect in a new DSLR, but I have not allowed it to ruin my life. This issue is far outweighed by it's superior sensor and size (to me). Yes a new DSLR for $2K should be perfect, blah, blah, blah, but that's not what this thread is about, D600 haters, hate somewhere else. Enough on that.
At f16 and below I was dealing with 3 stubborn spots that would not blow off. At f22 and extreme processing I found about 100 spots. Try this at home, you will find dust on every sensor.
So I started out by first blowing off the sensor and chamber. Next was two drops on the swab and 2 GENTLE passes flipping the swab over and going in the same direction. Test shot at f22, significant improvement, but my 3 stubborn friends where not phased. Ok, no more Mr. nice guy! I used the "used"swab again with another drop of fluild and did a general "scrubbing" with about as much pressure as you would use to clean your ear. I then used a second swab with fuild to do a "clean sweep". Another test shot at f22..., my dust friends are gone! There is a few specs I think from the process (I think they will dry and blow off), at f16, nothing is there.
I've decide to keep the second swab to become my first "scrubber swap" at my next cleaning. The kit worked well and at $25 for 3 cleanings it's not too expensive.
I took my test shot at f22, more extreme than my previous tests and cleaning at f16. I have had more dust than you would expect in a new DSLR, but I have not allowed it to ruin my life. This issue is far outweighed by it's superior sensor and size (to me). Yes a new DSLR for $2K should be perfect, blah, blah, blah, but that's not what this thread is about, D600 haters, hate somewhere else. Enough on that.
At f16 and below I was dealing with 3 stubborn spots that would not blow off. At f22 and extreme processing I found about 100 spots. Try this at home, you will find dust on every sensor.
So I started out by first blowing off the sensor and chamber. Next was two drops on the swab and 2 GENTLE passes flipping the swab over and going in the same direction. Test shot at f22, significant improvement, but my 3 stubborn friends where not phased. Ok, no more Mr. nice guy! I used the "used"swab again with another drop of fluild and did a general "scrubbing" with about as much pressure as you would use to clean your ear. I then used a second swab with fuild to do a "clean sweep". Another test shot at f22..., my dust friends are gone! There is a few specs I think from the process (I think they will dry and blow off), at f16, nothing is there.
I've decide to keep the second swab to become my first "scrubber swap" at my next cleaning. The kit worked well and at $25 for 3 cleanings it's not too expensive.