Oil Spots On Sensor (Page 2): Actually, a very good point. I helped an old business partner clean his "uncleanable" sensor. The issue was, he wasn't raising the mirror, so he was...

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

catchlight.. wrote:

VSGO brand works perfectly...

Not hard to do, use mirror lock up in the sensor cleaning menu.

Actually, a very good point. I helped an old business partner clean his "uncleanable" sensor. The issue was, he wasn't raising the mirror, so he was basically just cleaning the mirror and couldn't get rid of the spots.

The moral of the story, make sure you watch several videos, and completely understand what you are doing. It's not difficult, and the sensor isn't as scary as you think if you use the proper equipment for your sensor. (they make sizes for 4/3, APS-c, and Full frame) you want to use the swab designed for your sensor. There are also differences in the cleaning solutions. (for the kind of dirt, not for the size of sensor)

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

srfmhg wrote:

...I’m worried that I may smear the spots and make the situation worse.

Every time I clean a sensor, I remove some spots and create others. It takes me a few passes to get the sensor clean. If the spots aren't a big concern, don't clean the sensor.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

bkyser wrote:

...so he was basically just cleaning the mirror and couldn't get rid of the spots.

Funny, but I can understand how that could happen.

ABJanes Loc: Jersey Boy now Virginia

I learned how to do it myself. If the swab is clean and only used once it is like cleaning a mirror. I sweated bullets the first time but now do it with ease. Once you get the shutter lube off, it is much easier to clean the sensor in the future. Often a Gitzo Blower will do the trick! The oil tends to get gummy and your swab will need some cleaner in it or applied to break it down. It may take a number of passes to get it all. I had the same issue with my D7100. Make sure your battery is fully charged before locking up the mirror. Sensors get dirty and giving up my camera paying over and over didn't make sense to me.

srfmhg wrote:

I’ve had a few annoying oil spots on the sensor of my D7200 which are only visible on a few shots or when I increase adaptive exposure in PP. I cannot see them with a sensor loupe and they are easily cloned out in PP. I have a Visible Dust cleaning kit but I’m worried that I may smear the spots and make the situation worse. My question is should I attempt to wet clean the sensor myself (will be the first time), have it done professionally or leave it alone?
Mark

ppage Loc: Pittsburg, (San Francisco area)

I use full sensor appropriately sized swabs and methanol. The spots persisted with non-methanol cleaners but the methanol finally got it all. They make a fuss about it being flammable but I just happen to have a practice of avoiding flames, lighters and matches near my sensor. I'm just funny that way. Do it yourself, it's not hard.

JoeM845

Before you try something you might want to search on "nikon d7200 oil spots". You are not alone. I don't know if Nikon has taken any action. You should find out if there is some underlying problem you need to address in addition to cleaning the sensor.

I have a D600. Nikon did not replace it with a D610, but they cleaned it and replaced some of the mechanism for free. My interaction was a lot closer to the purchase date.

ABJanes Loc: Jersey Boy now Virginia

This will mirror what I have used from Copperhill who no longer is in business. Custom sized swabs, Eclipse cleaning solution and the power loop is very helpful so you can clearly see your progress. Don't under estimate how many you will use the first time you are doing this. I would only use 2-3 drops per swab to get it wet all the way across. https://photosol.com/swab-sizes/

ABJanes wrote:

I learned how to do it myself. If the swab is clea... (show quote)

ppage Loc: Pittsburg, (San Francisco area)

I think you meant loupe and that is what is great about methanol. It is highly volatile so you can use it liberally as any excess dries up almost immediately without a trace.

ABJanes wrote:

This will mirror what I have used from Copperhill who no longer is in business. Custom sized swabs, Eclipse cleaning solution and the power loop is very helpful so you can clearly see your progress. Don't under estimate how many you will use the first time you are doing this. I would only use 2-3 drops per swab to get it wet all the way across. https://photosol.com/swab-sizes/

ABJanes Loc: Jersey Boy now Virginia

Yes.....Loupe! Here is a video on the 'how to' from the website I sent. https://photosol.com/videos/

ppage wrote:

I think you meant loupe and that is what is great about methanol. It is highly volatile so you can use it liberally as any excess dries up almost immediately without a trace.

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

ppage wrote:

I use full sensor appropriately sized swabs and methanol. The spots persisted with non-methanol cleaners but the methanol finally got it all. They make a fuss about it being flammable but I just happen to have a practice of avoiding flames, lighters and matches near my sensor. I'm just funny that way. Do it yourself, it's not hard.

Thanks ppage! I could not, for the life of me, remember the difference in the 2 types of cleaners, but it is the methanol vs non-methanol. I always start with the non methanol, and if that doesn't do the trick, or starts to smudge the spots, I move to the methanol.

as for the warnings about it being flammable, it's a lot the same way as you don't use a match to try to look in the gas tank of your car.

GeneS Loc: Glendale,AZ

Before you use the camera again, check the lens you have been using.
make sure the iris blades are free of oil. the oil spots may come from there or the shutter.
Have it checked and cleaned by a professional

Ched49 Loc: Pittsburgh, Pa.

I though it was the D600 that had problems with oil spots on the sensor. I would have it professionally cleaned.

ABJanes Loc: Jersey Boy now Virginia

I returned one D7100 and the second one had the same issue, both new. I cleaned it once for shutter lube and it has been fine ever since except for dust.

Ched49 wrote:

I though it was the D600 that had problems with oil spots on the sensor. I would have it professionally cleaned.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

srfmhg wrote:

I’ve had a few annoying oil spots on the sensor of my D7200 which are only visible on a few shots or when I increase adaptive exposure in PP. I cannot see them with a sensor loupe and they are easily cloned out in PP. I have a Visible Dust cleaning kit but I’m worried that I may smear the spots and make the situation worse. My question is should I attempt to wet clean the sensor myself (will be the first time), have it done professionally or leave it alone?
Mark

http://cleaningdigitalcameras.com
http://photosol.com
https://photosol.com/videos/

Visit these sites, read, watch, and decide. If you are manually dextrous, patient, and can read and follow instructions PRECISELY, without straying, you can do it yourself.

Personally, I'd never use anything other than Eclipse Fluid and Sensor Swabs from Photosol. They've always worked for me. Oily spots may need a double cleaning, but will usually come off with one.

srfmhg Loc: Marin County, CA

Thanks so much to everyone for responding. I appreciate your comments and advice.