Cleaning the Imager Coverglass, Infrared Filter, and Anti-aliasing Filter on Kodak DCS Digital Cameras

Cleaning instructions for:

Kodak Professional DCS Pro 14n & SLRn Digital Camera
Kodak Professional DCS 300, 400, 500, 600, and 700 Series Digital Cameras
Kodak Professional EOS-DCS Series Digital Cameras
Kodak Professional NC2000e Digital Camera

Contents
 

Why Do the Imager and Filters Get Dirty?

Cleaning Frequency

Cleaning Supplies for All Camera Models

Cleaning Solutions by Camera Model

Cleaning Materials by Camera Model

Before You Begin

Cleaning the Imager Coverglass

Cleaning the IR or AA Filter

Why Do the Imager and Filters Get Dirty?

Dust and dirt are the culprits. Kodak Professional cameras are manufactured under strict conditions and assembled in a dust-free room. Before shipping, each camera is tested to assure that it meets stringent specifications for cleanliness and quality. Although we take extreme care to produce a dust-free camera, imager debris can result from mirror actuation, changing lenses, or static electricity.

The IR and AA filters are subjected to the elements every time you change lenses. Minimize exposure to environmental conditions (e.g., rain, snow, dust, dirt) when changing the lenses. Operating the camera in excessively dirty environments may require more frequent cleaning.

Cleaning Frequency

The imager coverglass, IR filter, and AA filter have delicate surfaces. They should be cleaned only when dirt or debris is noticeable in the image file. When the sensor, filters, and other delicate mechanisms are exposed to tools, they are at risk of being damaged. Use only the approved cleaning supplies listed in this bulletin. Always use proper safety precautions.

Prevention is the best policy. Keep the lenses and their mounts clean to reduce contaminating the camera body. Keep the body cap on the camera when storing the camera without a lens attached.

Treat the camera as a precision device, and maintain the cleaning supplies as indicated by their manufacturer.
 

Cleaning supplies for all camera models

Cleaning Solutions by Camera Model

Cleaning Materials by Camera Model

Before You Begin

1. Assemble the cleaning supplies and prepare a clean work area.

2. Remove the camera lens from the front mount of the camera.

3. Using the Phillips-head screwdriver, carefully remove the IR or AA filter from the inside of the lens mount. For EOS mount cameras, unscrew the single screw at the lower edge of the filter frame. For F mount (Nikon based) cameras, unscrew the two screws on the left and right edge of the filter frame.

4. Use the sticky side of a piece of masking tape to lift the frame from the camera mount. Remove the tape from the frame promptly. Do NOT touch the filter surface with your fingers or the tape.

5. Load a charged camera battery into the camera, and plug in the AC adapter. Use both the battery and the AC adapter for this procedure.

6. Turn on the camera.

7. On the rear LCD, select Main Menu > Imager Clean.

8. Press the shutter button to open the shutter. The Imager Clean menu allows the mirror and shutter to remain open.

9. Use a strong light or flashlight to inspect the imager coverglass surface for debris.

Cleaning the Imager Coverglass

WARNING: Use only the materials recommended in this bulletin. Do not use common cleaning materials such as lens tissue, cotton swabs, or computer cleaning supplies. These products have abrasive characteristics and should not be used on the imager coverglass surface or filters.

1. Hold the camera in one hand or use a tripod. Point the camera downward so dirt or dust debris will not fall back into the camera. With your other hand, hold the can of de-ionized air upward at a 45-degree angle so the air will flow properly.
    

2. Use light puffs of canned air to remove all debris from the imager coverglass surface. Dirt or dust can scratch the coverglass surface when using the cleaning solution and Sensor Swab. Use the spray tube included with the canned air to direct the air flow. Do NOT touch the coverglass with the tube.
    

3. Remove one Sensor Swab from the protective plastic sleeve. Do NOT allow the swab to become contaminated by dirt, dust, or other debris.
    

4. Moisten the swab with Eclipse lens cleaner. The swab should be completely moist, but not dripping.
   
   IMPORTANT: Eclipse lens cleaner is highly flammable and evaporates quickly. Have your camera ready with the imager coverglass exposed before you moisten the swab.
    

5. Carefully draw the Sensor Swab once across the imager coverglass surface. Use light, consistent pressure. Rotate the swab 180° and draw it across the coverglass surface again. If pooling or streaks occur, you may have too much solution on the swab.
    

6. Use a strong light to examine the imager coverglass surface. Take an out-of-focus picture of a flat, illuminated surface to see if any debris remains. Dust or dirt debris will appear as a soft shadow or dark blemish on the image.
    

7. If necessary, repeat Steps 1 thru 6. Use a clean Sensor Swab.
    

8. When the imager coverglass is clean, cancel the Imager Clean command to close the mirror and shutter.
    

9. Determine if the anti-aliasing filter needs to be cleaned. Considerable debris can accumulate on the filter before it becomes apparent on images. To minimize damage, clean the filter only if the dirt or debris is a noticeable problem in the image file.
    

10. If necessary, clean the IR or AA filter (see below).
     

11. Reinstall the anti-aliasing filter:
    
    Align the filter with tweezers or tape.
    
    Carefully thread the screw using the proper tool. When    reinstalling the filter on the camera, alternate the tightening sequence so that each screw is tightened a little at a time until both screws are snug. Failure to do so may damage the filter.
     

12. Test the camera.
     

Cleaning the IR or AA Filter

1. Hold the filter in one hand. Do NOT touch the filter surface with your fingers. Hold the can of de-ionized air pointing down towards the filter surface.
    

2. Use light puffs of canned air to remove all debris from both sides of the filter. Dirt or dust can scratch either side of the filter when using the alcohol and E-Wipe pads. Use the spray tube included with the canned air to direct the air flow. Do NOT touch the filter surface with the tube.
    

3. Fold an E-Wipe pad in half along the grain of the pad. Apply a line of alcohol drops lengthwise across the center of the folded pad.
    

4. Gently fold the E-Wipe pad in half to form a V. Place the filter approximately half-way inside the V so the top of the filter is exposed to the alcohol drops.
    

5. Apply and maintain gentle, constant pressure to sandwich the E-Wipe pad around the filter glass. Hold the top of the filter frame and draw the filter through the pad once. Use gentle, constant pressure to safely clean both sides of the filter glass without bending the filter. Do NOT attempt to clean only one side of the filter glass.
    

6. Discard the E-Wipe pad.

   7.  Use a strong light to inspect the filter surface for spots.

   8.  Repeat Steps 3 thru 7, if necessary.

   9.  Reinstall the filter.

10. Take an out-of-focus picture of a flat, illuminated surface to see if any debris remains. Dust or dirt debris will appear as a soft shadow or dark blemish on the image. Keep in mind that considerable debris can accumulate on the filter before it becomes apparent on images.

Kodak and Kodak Professional are trademarks of Eastman Kodak Company.