Black dot in corner of photos - DSC-P150

[HiDefNZ]

Hi all,

I am finding that most of the time (depending on what I'm photographing and/or the amount or angle of light) I get a black dot or splodge in the corner of photos taken with my DSC-P150 camera. I have read elsewhere that this could be dust or dirt on the CCD sensor. Would anyone know if this is the case? Or is it something to do with the lens? (since zooming in makes the black dot more visible). Is the problem fixable? If so, what would the likely cost be? I've linked some photos below and circled the black dot in red. Thanks for any help.

Zoomed out:
http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/3661/dsc009805dj.th.jpg (http://img176.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc009805dj.jpg)
Zoomed in:
http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/5715/dsc009779zw.th.jpg (http://img176.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc009779zw.jpg)

http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/6320/dsc014877ja.th.jpg (http://img176.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc014877ja.jpg)

http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/1734/mudpools26gu.th.jpg (http://img176.imageshack.us/my.php?image=mudpools26gu.jpg)

[raulvesna]

Hi,

It seems that your camera has dust on the CCD, IR filter or lens assembly.
There was a post at

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1009&message=14993643

that explains how to fix the problem.
I wouldn't send the camera to Sony for repair. My P200 had the same problem, and after 1 month they not only couldn't fix the problem, but they scratched the LCD and left dust in the viewfinder. After a lot of trouble, they sent me a new camera that works fine.

Raul

[HiDefNZ]

Thanks for that information, raulvesna. I once had an older DSC-P8 Sony camera that got a stuck pixel. I had purchased it as a parallel import for NZ$400 less than the normal price. I sent it in for repair, and after 11 weeks ended up just getting a new camera. I certainly don't want to go through that again :rolleyes:. I am worried though about dismantling the camera and cleaning the CCD, IR Sensor or Lens Assembly. Maybe I should get the camera fixed at a professional repair place rather than risk Sony doing it? I think dismantling a piece of high tech equipment would be beyond me :p

[ihillway]

I read the post about the complicated 4 hour procedure to clean the DSC-P200 and was amazed and horrified. I just had this dust problem with my DSC-P150 and... well I admit it took me about 2 hours to figure it all out, but the actual procedure took about 10 minutes once I knew what I was doing. I took pictures and put together instructions in the hopes that this will help somebody.
http://www.geocities.com/ihillway/

[HiDefNZ]

Hi there, thanks for that info! I did get the camera professionally repaired in the end, but if the problem returns, I will follow your instructions as they make dismantling the camera look very easy. I'm sure they will help many people :) Thanks again!

[Iosef]

I wouldn´t disassemble my camera because of dust.
But I heard of the possiblility of using a Vacuum Micro Attachment kit
http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/001075.php
for cleaning Sony DSC-Pxxx cameras. I think that´s way safer.

[dave.lawrence]

I had exactly the same problem - except Sony want to charge £120 in the UK. I followed the instructions at http://www.geocities.com/ihillway/ and cleared out the dust with canned-air. Considering the location of the dust, i.e. on the sensor behind the lens, I wouldn't think that any vacuum solution would work too well. Instructions were clear, easy to follow and I didn't lose a single screw!

[Brian Edmeades]

Hi there - - http://www.geocities.com/ihillway/


Just wanted to add my sincere thanks for the information provided on cleaning a Sony DSC-P150.

Having just returned from holiday I was having exactly the same problems as you described with a black spot/shadow on all my zoomed pictures.

Your instructions and fact finding on this problem enabled me to confidently clean my camera in about half an hour and at a cost of just one can of compressed air. When I dismantled the camera I found a visible piece of dust/flick on the sensor exactly as you did. My only concern now is that it doesn't happen again.

Thank you once again for a superb piece of instruction.

Kind Regards

Brian Edmeades

Somerset England