Coolpix A Dust Removal

[Chip Chipowski]

I just noticed a large dust or felt chunk on my sensor, but I am having trouble figuring out how to clean the sensor.  I wonder if any other Coolpix A users have removed the lens in order to clean the sensor.  I have no idea how difficult/complex that would be.  If the danger factor is high, I suppose I could just send it in to Nikon or a third-party shop to get it cleaned.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Andrea B.]

I have also dust on my Coolpix A sensor but have never tried to open it up. Have you googled around for a Coolpix A teardown?

You do have to wonder how dust gets in there when the lens is never changed.

[Chip Chipowski]

I can't find anything on Google

I figured that dust probably gets in via the power lens open/close function.  It looks like it might draw in any dust or debris on or around the lens assembly.  I talked to the Nikon Coolpix repair facility and got a ballpark estimate around $50 USD for a sensor clean so I'll probably end up doing that.  I am pretty careful about keeping the camera clean, but sometimes I will carry the lens in a pocket, so I could see some little pieces of lint or dust getting in that way. 

[richardHaw]

compacts can be such a pain to clean
i am going to look for a junk coolpix A and if the price is OK, i will do a teardown

[Akira]

Google image search resulted in some images revealing the inside of Coolpix A:

https://www.google.co.jp/search?q=coolpix+a+teardown&hl=ja&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj5ysOlk6HMAhUDL6YKHRLeD2wQsAQIVw&biw=1360&bih=697

[Chip Chipowski]

Thanks for the responses.  Akira, those images tell me that I will not be opening up the camera 

I did see one idea online about using a vacuum cleaner around the crevices to try to suck out loose dust.  I kind of doubt that will work, but I'll give it a try, then probably send it to Nikon if unsuccessful. 

[richardHaw]

not sure if you can do this for the coolpix, some PNS sensors can be accessed by removing the lens with a rubber stopper. the sensor is then exposed
this was how some PNS are cleaned as i saw it in the workshops back at home