9 replies to this topic

[danny1976]

My 2600MC had a sensor cleaning done by the dealer but I have some issues. I noticed I have these strange lines and patterns on my uncalibrated images. And if I look at the sensor through my telescope I can see these lines on the sensor. It looks like scratches. Probably smear from cleaning.

 

I contacted ZWO and this is what they responded,

 

HI Alex

this is smears left after cleaning

so you'll need to use swabs and a cleaning kit for mirrorless cameras and have a redo of the cleaning

we dont currently offer a cleaning service

thanks

Simon

 

I don't trust the dealer anymore and ZWO doesn't do sensor cleaning which I find strange. 

Can I do this myself with swabs? I'm afraid I'll make it worse and introduce dust spots instead.

 

I have to say that these patterns are gone when calibrating with flats. But as you can see the uncalibrated images are a mess.

 

Stacked image no flats

 

Calibrated with flats

[Ranger Tim]

Wow. Show these to the camera dealer that cleaned it! I have successfully cleaned my own cameras with Pec Pads and Ecilpse solution (methanol?), but everyone has their own tolerance level for doing this kind of thing. I would find a better shop to do it. They only cleaned the optical window correct?

[Andrew_L]

If you’re careful you can clean it yourself. I have cleaned my 2600, but then I cleaned a lot of precision laser optics over the course of my career so I know what I’m doing.  
 

Firstly I inspect the camera sensor in reflected light. A bright torch or flashlight helps.  A magnifying glass for close inspection can help too.   I then use an air puffer or can of optics grade compressed gas to remove every single dust spec.  You absolutely don’t want to drag one of those across the surface when you clean it. I then use lens cleaning tissue and Baarder optical wonder fluid to clean the surface. I fold the tissue into a pad held in plastic homeostatic forceps. I drop a tiny amount of Baarder fluid on the tissue and drag the tissue pad across the sensor filter in one clean sweep. Don’t use too much cleaning fluid and  only use each piece of tissue once. Inspect the surface after each swipe in reflected light. Go slow and steady. Never hurry. All this is done at your own risk of course. 

[charles.tremblay.darveau]

Never had to clean sensor but I use eclipse fluid and swabs for my filters . As said above use one of the rocket air blower to remove the bulk of dust.

[Andrew_L]

Never had to clean sensor but I use eclipse fluid and swabs for my filters . As said above use one of the rocket air blower to remove the bulk of dust.

I’ve just googled sensor swabs. You can get them in the right sensor size too.  They look the business. And there are loads of videos on YouTube showing how to do it. I’ve been doing it a bit old school. Thanks for the post. 

Edited by Andrew_L, 24 March 2025 - 12:24 PM.

[scopewizard]

This is what I use for window or sensor cleaning.

 

https://www.amazon.c...in_title_2&th=1

 

Use blower first then clean.

 

Put a drop on the edge of the swab, make sure it is wet across the edge, gently across the small edge of the sensor/window at 45° angle to the other side, one pass only, rotate the swab to other side and do one more pass, discard swab.

 

As you go across, you should see an even cleaner liquid shine. It will evaporate quickly.

 

If really dirty do the same again with new swab.

[danny1976]

 They only cleaned the optical window correct?

They cleaned the sensor. Don't know if they cleaned the inside of the optical window, maybe. The outside of the optical window I clean myself of course. It was in for cleaning because there were 2 little dust spots which didn't calibrate out with flats. The dust spots were removed but now I have this awful mess.

 

From the reactions it looks like I can do it myself with swabs and a fluid. I'm a little bit concerned about the tilt plate. I have to search on Youtube how to remove it without introducing tilt. 

 

I will visit the dealer soon and see what he's got to say. 

[pyrasanth]

Those patterns are caused by using a low tack pad to pick up specks of dust. I've never found any of those pads to not leave a mess on the sensor and they are very expensive but, IMO, do a bad job.

 

The best cleaning method I've found is a wet clean using DSLR sensor cleaning kits which come with clean room swabs individually packed. After cleaning inspect your sensor with a magnified loupe to check for any small particles that were not removed.

 

I was initially nervous to clean my sensors with this method however it is now easy to do provided you are not heavy handed and never use the wipe pads dry.

[unimatrix0]

You (or whoever cleaned it) aren't cleaning the bare sensor.  It's just a piece of glass.   

 

Those are not scratches either. 

 

Just need a quality lens cleaner (others posted as such) I use sensor cleaner, but ultimately it's still like cleaning a piece of glass, because it's a piece of glass. 

 

Even opening the unit and cleaning the sensor is not cleaning the sensor, but cleaning another piece of glass.  You won't be touching the sensor surface ever, unless you go separate the glass glued on it from factory. 

Edited by unimatrix0, 24 March 2025 - 01:17 PM.

[charles.tremblay.darveau]

I've used those specific ones to clean the IR window of my 2600mm. Leaves less residues than PecPads:

https://www.amazon.c...nics,176&sr=1-1

 

Instructions typically says one swipe in each direction, then use a different swab if it needs any additional cleaning.

Edited by charles.tremblay.darveau, 24 March 2025 - 04:10 PM.