What is the purpose of the active image Sensor Cleaning on my Nikon D3000?

Whenever I turn on and off my Nikon D3000 DSLR, I notice that there is a message on the screen, telling me that it is performing “image sensor cleaning”. So does this mean that the camera is automatically cleaning the sensors by itself? Is there a need for me to take out the lens (for example) and clean the sensors myself manually?

Dust on the image sensor is very annoying as it creates a black blob on your images. Modern cameras have sensor cleaning systems which vibrate the image sensor to knock off dust particles. It appears to work quite well. With this system, you shouldn’t need to clean the sensor manually unless you get a really nasty dust mote on your sensor. If the Cleaning System can’t remove a dust speck, take the camera to a professional service.

Boiler plate warning: You want to avoid cleaning the sensor yourself as you can damage the sensor if not done properly.

When changing lenses, use good practices to avoid getting dust into the mirror/sensor chamber. There’s lots of suggestions on the web on how to do this. The cleaning system will do the rest.

Nikon Sensor Cleaning Video P10

NIKON SPORTS AND RECREATIONAL OPTICS – BINOCULAR, LENS CLEANER WET CLOTH (8175NIK) (8175NIK) $3.35 BINOCULAR, LENS CLEANER WET CLOTH…

2 Camera Lens Air Dust Blower Cleaner for Nikon SLR $12.88 2 Camera Lens Air Dust Blower Cleaner For Nikon SLR. This is a new set of 2 rubber watch crystal removers. Great for removing crystals from watches. They can also be used as a dust blower. Insert nozzle inside any watch stem hole and squeeze the bulb and it will blow out the crystal without damaging it. Just squeeze for a blast of air. Each measures approximately 4 1/2″ (114 mm) long. We work hard…

Digital SLR Camera & Lens 7-Piece Deluxe Cleaning Kit including Cameta Microfiber Cleaning Cloth for Nikon D3000, D3100, D700, D300s, D300, D90, D60, D5000, D40, D3x, D3 & D3s Digital SLR Cameras $7.95 It’s obvious that the cleaner the lens, the sharper your pictures will be. Dirt, dust, and fingerprints will degrade the image quality of even the finest optics. However, it’s important to avoid using incorrect cleaning materials which can permanently damage your photo equipment. Used properly, the cleaning supplies in this kit are certified safe for use on your valuable digital and film photo-equ…

Pyle-Home PCL104 Screen/LED and Keyboard Cleaner $12.22 Cleaning Kit for LCD Classical Design for Cleaning Screens and KeyboardsBrings Powerful Cleaning Affect Quickly and Effectively Cleans Fingerprints, Oil Stains, and Surface Adhesion of Dust Pylehome Kit is Your Ideal Partner for Cleaning One 220ML Bottle Cleaning Soultion and One Cloth…

Pyle-Home PCL106 Screen/LED and Keyboard Cleaner $12.23 Cleaning Kit for LCD ScreensClassical Design for Cleaning Screens and KeyboardBrings Powerful Cleaning Affect Quickly Cleans Unwanted Fingerprints, Oil Stains, and Surface Adhesion of Dust Pylehome Kit is Your Ideal Partner for Cleaning One 207ML Bottle Cleaning Soultion and One Cloth…

DURAGADGET Utra-fine anti-static Blower brush / lens cleaner for Compatible with Nikon Coolpix D200 / D300 / D80 / D40x / D40 / P80 / D700 / P80 / D90 / D60 / D5000 / P90 / D3000 / D300s / P90 / P80 / D3S /P80 / D60 / D90 / D3x / D40 / D60 / D 80 / Nikonos V / F 75 f75 / F6 / F 80 QD Silver / $8.23 New professional blower brush. Essential dust removal tool for any serious photographer. Great for cleaning lenses and camera components. Use the ultra-fine anti-static brush or remove the brush to use the special blower tool to blast away dust and particles. Every photographer should own one…

Nikon 7072 Lens Pen Cleaning System $6.35 BINOCULAR, LENSPEN CLEANING SYSTEM…

Nikon 8072 Microfiber Cleaning Cloth $3.34 The Nikon cleaning cloth is made of micro-fiber material that is also anti-static for easy cleaning and use. It is the perfect way to safely maintain and clean your lenses, camera and binocular optics. Also included is a clip-on carry case….

Nikon Complete Lens Cleaner Kit $8.04 NIKON 8176 LENS CLEANER KITTRAVEL SIZE LENS CLEANING KIT ; INCLUDES 1-OZ SPRAY BOTTLE OF CLEANING SOLUTION, MOIST LENS CLEANER CLOTHS & MICROFIBER CLEANING CLOTH;…

Nikon EZ-Micro – Nikon 8142 $1,742.48 Includes User Guide….

Nikon Lens Cleaner Spray Bottle – Lens Cleaner $3.99 Nikon 4 oz. Lens Cleaner in Spray Bottle.

Nikon Lens Cleaner Kit $8.65 The Lens Cleaner Kit includes a liquid spray cleaner, handy individually wrapped moist lens cleaner cloths and a micro fiber cleaning cloth, all in a convenient carrying pouch.

Nikon 8175 Nikon Lens Cleaner Wet Cloth $6.26 @@ Use these Nikon Lens Cleaning Cloths to guard against smudges and fingerprints on your lenses, glasses and other photographic equipment.

Nikon 8174NIK BINOCULAR, LENS CLEANER SPRAY BOTTLE $2.72 Nikon 8174NIK BINOCULAR, LENS CLEANER SPRAY BOTTLE Nikon has a long history of development of a variety of products that allow for the simple enjoyment of high-quality imaging, beginning of course, with digital cameras. In recent years, the digital wave has led to great changes in the ways in which images, videos and music are enjoyed. Nikon 8174NIK BINOCULAR, LENS CLEANER SPRAY BOTTLE Features: • LxWxH • 1.4×1.3×6.2

Nikon 8175NIK BINOCULAR, LENS CLEANER WET CLOTH $3.35 Nikon 8175NIK BINOCULAR, LENS CLEANER WET CLOTH Nikon has a long history of development of a variety of products that allow for the simple enjoyment of high-quality imaging, beginning of course, with digital cameras. In recent years, the digital wave has led to great changes in the ways in which images, videos and music are enjoyed. Nikon 8175NIK BINOCULAR, LENS CLEANER WET CLOTH Features: • LxWxH • 5.8×3.8×1.1

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Lens Cleaner Wet Cloth $4.75 Nikon Lens Cleaner Wet Cloth FeaturesHandy, individually wrapped, take-anywhere Nikon Lens Cleaner Cloths are fine accessories to keep all your optics lenses in top shape.Individually Wrapped Cleaner ClothsPerfect for travel and fits well in pockets or packs.