Ever since I replaced my DX format D200 with the FX D600 I have struggled with sensor dust. SInce the D200 did not have sensor cleaning built in and the D600 does I had high expectations for an improvement, despite not really having much of a trouble with the D200. The opposite became reality. Right from the get go, there were a few spots in two corners that would not blow away even with the Rocket Blower. And over time, it certainly was not getting better.

Eventually, backlit photos at f/22 became so bad that I needed to take an action. See this 100% crop from a blue hour photo and that is just a tiny fraction of the photo that suffered similarly throughout. To make the dust spots more obvious, I used curves to crank up the contrast and also a high pass filter with a radius of 75 (thus the high overall noise at this long exposure).

Sensor cleaning - dusty sensor

My last home cleaning of the D200 did not go too well and I ended up shipping the camera to Nikon. I believe it cost about $125, the results were outstanding, and they even threw in a new LCD protector, new grip, and a few other things. Still, not the cheapest thing. Knowing this would not be the last time the D600 would need cleaning I looked into at home cleaning options first, reasoning I could always send it in should I make things even worse.

After researching several dry and wet cleaning options I decided to try the Visible Dust wet cleaning KIT with VD Plus liquid. Part of the decision not to go with a dry solution was the fact that even my trusty large Giottos Air Blaster failed to dislodge the dust. I was not entirely sure about the source of the spots either since I could not see them on the sensor, only in the photos. Was it really just dust? Was it possible that moisture got in and created spots as it dried? Or were they really oil spots as reported on the Internet, originating from within the camera? So I bought the wet cleaning KIT with 4 swabs and cleaning liquid.

Sensor cleaning - 1st pass streak What you see above is the outcome of my 1st cleaning pass. While the number of spots on the sensor went significantly down, I had these terrible streaks along both edges. Not too encouraging, but fortunately I had read some reviews before and knew there was a good chance of this happening  if too much liquid is put on the swab.

I reached for swab #2 and ran it across the sensor a few more times, taking test shots after each. By cleaning #5 I thought my camera was usable again but I was not happy with the results just yet. After a break for the night, another cleaning day came.

Let's make the story short and to the point. How does it end? I would love to tell you all how I perfected my technique and how you should all buy this or another wet cleaning kit but the reality is that despite some decent results, I just could not get it right. The camera is packed and is heading to Nikon tomorrow. Let's see what they can do. I will report back later. I also hope that the gloom and doom reports on the Internet are not true and I will not have to do this every other month. That would be a shame and a pretty pricey deal.

My trusty D200 was called back into active duty, let's have fun with it - it had served me extremely well for about 6 years and it looks like it can't retire anytime soon.