Frequently Asked Questions

A CCD clean is: a functionality test, blow out and clean of the mirror box area and the shutter area, then wet swab the sensor/filter. Test images are taken to check the clean. Externally clean the camera and the lens. Firmware up-graded if available.

CCD cleaning process

A clean and service: a full functionality test, dismantle the camera and clean the mechanism internally, re-lubricate and make adjustments as required. Replacement of parts if worn or failing. Battery contacts, hot shoe and the body/lens connection pins are cleaned. After the unit is reassembled the sensor/filter is cleaned. Firmware up-graded if available.

Quote - Inspection fees

Quote fee is $49.50 one piece of equipment

Combination special: Camera and lens (only) the quote fee will be split between the two units. Each unit will be $24.75. The quote fee comes off the cost of the repair.

Additional piece of equipment is $49.50.

We do not quote under $150.00 per item. If the repair cost is under $150.00 the repair will be carried out and the quote fee will come off the cost of the repair. Film units are the exception.

The majority of the dust is vacuumed in through the lenses. As the lens is zoomed in and out air travels through the lens carrying dust particles and deposits them in the mirror box/shutter area. When the shutter is fired the CCD is exposed and dust will gravitate to the CCD.

To avoid dust from entering your camera: use a blower brush on your lenses to remove some of the surface dust.

You can use the canned air on the lenses but DO NOT use it on the sensor/filter.

Changing lenses will also allow dust to enter the mirror box area: When changing the lenses face the camera downwards.

Even after a cleaning unavoidably dust can return to the CCD/Filter surface.

Dust is very intrusive. It can be vacuumed in through a lens, occur when you are changing lenses and the environment you are shooting in. Have a look at a glass top table each day and see how much dust gathers on the tables surface. This is what is in the atmosphere while you are shooting.

CCD cleaning

The card may have a corruption or a file has been damaged. Many card corruptions are often a result of human error, awareness on the how the corruptions may occur can help prevent them.

Turning the camera off mid transfer - while the image is being transferred to the card

Power failure – battery low

Opening the card door while an the image is being transferred

Rapid shooting – some cameras need more time to transfer images

Viruses up-loaded to your camera via the usb port

Refer to link: Card recoveries

Important:

Re-format the card, don’t delete all. Recommended to re-format in the same camera

We recommend using several smaller cards instead on one large card. If a problem does occur you have a card as a back up and the more images stored on your card the longer it takes to transfer.

Use good high standard cards.

The x-ray protons admitted during security checks of hand luggage or check-in baggage are not strong enough to damage camera/electronics or memory cards.

What can cause damage to electronic equipment is a massive EMF (electromagnetic field). Such as a huge magnet, the kind that picks up a car, large electrical motors and M.R.I. units.

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