Cleaning the CCD sensor of a Panasonic Lumix Compact Digital Camera
Please read the entire description before attempting this process! Dust, hairs and pollen can easily get "sucked" into the lens as the camera initialises and the barrel extends. They manifest themselves as out of focus dark areas on the image and they do not change size or position as you zoom the camera lens. In most instances any "sensor" specks of dirt actually occur from the dust settling on infra red filter which is before the CCD itself. To clean the IR filter and the CCD the camera back and inside plates have to be removed before you can gain access. This video shows you how to perform this operation, clean the IR and CCD and then re-assemble the camera. Using a dust blower will generally remove the dust specs, however if the camera has been used in dust enviroments or in high air pollution such as cities then there is also a possibility of a "film" of contamination also on the surface of the IR filter. Using my technique of the cotton bud removes the film thus restoring any lack of contrast due to this film. If you IR filter comes out of the holder on re-installation put the IR filter into the small recess in the lens housing, then the small rubber boot with the widest part uppermost on the IR filter and then gently place the CCD block back on top of the boot and proceed to tighten it down as per video. I make the statement that although this is a simple task, you undertake this at your own risk and I can accept no responsibility if you "brick" your camera by ...
November 24th, 2011 - 04:31
@jfmorales11 Really glad it was useful, thanks for the feedback.
November 24th, 2011 - 05:25
Super helpful, I was able to follow the instructions and my Lumix DMC-ZR3 is taking spotless pictures again for the first time in months. Thanks so much for posting this video!
November 24th, 2011 - 05:53
@bmorey53 I’m surprised most people are very dubious about cleaning sensors. Actually they are quite tough devices and will withstand quite a bit of gentle cleaning. The IR filters are very thin so care must be taken to ensure you clean then gently or on a flat surface to minimise risk of breaking them.
November 24th, 2011 - 06:20
Fantastic. Wish I had found this video yesterday — when I used the vacuum-cleaner/clingfilm technique to remove the worst spot. The remaining spots are barely noticeable. Dust is caused exactly by the issue described — I carry my camera in my pocket most of the time. I’m pretty confident about disassembling electronics so I will give this a shot when I get a few spare minutes.
November 24th, 2011 - 07:02
@Angelus12308 Hello, thanks for the feedback, glad you managed to clean your camera successfully.
November 24th, 2011 - 07:19
@Angelus12308 So owners of Lumix Fs-18 who go through this procedure don’t get freaked out.
Once again I have to add,perfect tutorial,simple easy,and a very soothing voice to guide you through it.
If my humble presence might just add something,I have found that in mechanics and electronics,latex gloves make a world of difference,especially when removing ribbons,latex tends to stick.
Thanks for this great tutorial,now I am thrilled to use my camera!
Oh and it focuses much better/faster now
November 24th, 2011 - 07:57
Simply cannot express the gratitude.
Tried this by myself with no guidance a couple of hours ago,but stopped imd process as lately I’ve abandonned my passion for electronics as I’m rebuilding a couple of motorcycles.
However with your tutorial I did the job in about 30 mins time with incredible results.
before I’ve had really big spots of black on my lumix fs18,after cleaning it,no specs what so ever,and the image is much sharper!
The lumix fs18 has an inbuilt IR filter,it doesn’t fall out
November 24th, 2011 - 08:22
@JWLM1234 Glad the video helped, well done for tackling this procedure!
November 24th, 2011 - 08:51
Great video. I now have a perfect TZ10 again. Found a boulder size piece of dust on the IR filter, just as you said! Thanks.
November 24th, 2011 - 09:17
@CircusAviation Hi, that’s absolutely the right way to do it. In hindsight I perhaps should have done this in the video. In most instances the IR filter stays in the boot and still attached to the ccd itself. Cleaning is just a straightforward matter as you can just gently wipe the front surface. Blowing with an air brush removes particles but you never remove the “film” that builds up on the surface causing loss of contrast. That’s why I use the cotton bud. Well done for attempting this job!
November 24th, 2011 - 09:44
Hi, all went well but as the some other veiwer experianced, the IR filter fell of the rubber boot! I didn’t read this until after I put the camera back together. So what I did was (after attempting to fir the IR Filter back into the boot and failed) laid the IR filter into the little recess in the case and laid the boot on top of that, then fited the CCD back and it all seem to work fine. Will I need to strip down again or will this be ok? Thanx for you help, great video.
November 24th, 2011 - 09:51
@surf1div1 ..part2 from the lead edge. with a craft knife cut the tape to the exact width of the data cable. Carefully push the new, thicker ribbon into the housing, you may need to use tweezers help you get it in. Push the cable all the way into the housing. Test the connection. If it doesn’t work, try 2 layers of tape. The extra thickness forces the gold connector harder against the wire connectors in the housing. If you get a good connection add additional tape over the ribbon and housing.
November 24th, 2011 - 10:38
@surf1div1 OK, it’s not the end of your camera. I have had this happen too on other devices. There are 2 ways to attempt to get a connection back to the ribbon cable. If your locking lever is still in one piece and in the plastic housing at just one side you can close the latch and then hold it down with scotch tape or other strong adhesive tape. If the lever is out of the socket then cut some scotch tape wide enough for the ribbon cable, stick this on the backside of the ribbon 1/16 inch .. con
November 24th, 2011 - 11:10
@ghough12
Thanks for the feedback Graham. I proceed to get it back together and while attempting to put the data/ LCD ribbon cables back, the black piece of the cam lever came off and the local shop stated they couldn’t repair that. They attempted to order the PC board that it attaches to and stated that Panasonic doesn’t sell them rendering my DMZ-ZS7 good for parts only. Your thoughts?
November 24th, 2011 - 11:40
@atyafi140 Well done, if you have the confidence to takle this you will be rewarded with a nice clean sensor. thanks for feeding back.
November 24th, 2011 - 12:20
Thanks. I did it exatly as you showed it. IT WORKED!!!
November 24th, 2011 - 12:46
@dnoanoa Ha, this took me a while to figure out but in the hot shoe is a small plate which you can slide out to reveal the screws which are holding the back to the top. incidently the manual for the lx5/lx3 suggests the lens is not taken apart othewise the adjustments may be off. I should think sensor semoval is ok if you take your time.
November 24th, 2011 - 12:59
is there some trick to removing the back of an LX5? It seems to be stuck at the plug for the external viewfinder and I’m afraid to force it.
November 24th, 2011 - 13:55
@surf1div1 Hi, thats no problem. Place the plastic boot with the flat part facing down so that the recessed part is up inside the lens body ( doesn’t matter which way round) then carefully place the IR filter into the central hole in the boot – it is only held by friction. Then carefully place the sensor back into the lens – it will then be positioned correctly before you screw it down. This happens 50% of the time just depends on how long its been in. I have spares if you break it.
November 24th, 2011 - 14:35
Graham, thanks for you great video. I have the DMC-ZS7. While getting to the infrared filter it came apart from the black ‘plastic boot’ that fits around it. I don’t believe their’s any notch that it fits in and short of replacing it, and unable to get it (filter) back inside the opening of that gasket. Any suggestions? I’m wondering where I can order that part or has anyone else come around this in any similar models that they were able to get back together.
November 24th, 2011 - 15:02
@awelux Well spotted. This is a camera used for many training uses and infact the cable had been left unlatched from the previous lens removal exercise. The main point was to show how to safely remove the ribbon cables from the connectors rather than in some videos trying to flex the display to one side with the risk of tearing the cables – especially the small backlight ribbon.
November 24th, 2011 - 16:02
Isn’t the latch of the ribbon to the camera focus open for some reason at 10:05?
November 24th, 2011 - 16:27
Isn’t the latch of the ribbon to the camera focus open for some reason?
November 24th, 2011 - 17:24
Very clear.
But: I think it’s a bit risky using cotton buds…..which might leave loose fibers on the lens as you clean the dust off (in fact, I think I can see quite a large white spec on the lens after cleaning on this video!)
I use an air puffer in a dust-free room (kitchen/bathroom) , and I check the surface of the sensor and of the filter with a magnifying glass before closing up. Also: worth checking your work by taking a couple of shots of a clean white surface before closing the back.
November 24th, 2011 - 17:35
@NUMBAT2 Hey glad it helped, good confidence booster!