Spotted pictures??

[gt_2001]

I must have something on the inside of my lens. All of my pictures turn out with 4 spots on them. I've cleaned the outside of the lens many times but it doesn't seem to help. This is a pic of a white sheet of paper. (looks blue under low light??) Notice the 3 spots on the left and 1 on the right! Is this something I should be able to clean or is it time to take it to a camera shop?
Thanks

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e177/nu2ns/WhitePaper001.jpg

[griptape]

It very well may be the sensor itself, and not the lens. You might call Sony and see what they charge to replace a sensor if it's out of warranty.

[gt_2001]

It very well may be the sensor itself, and not the lens. You might call Sony and see what they charge to replace a sensor if it's out of warranty.

I forgot to mention that the spots get more noticeable when I completely zoom in. Could it still be the sensor?

[griptape]

If the spots stay in the same place when you zoom in, it's almost definite that it's the sensor, because lens elements rotate when you zoom in or out.

[TheWengler]

Yeah, I think it's just specs of dust on the sensor. I get it too occasionally on my Pentax. They're usually only noticeable when they're in the sky and I stop down. If it is the sensor then you'll see the specs in the same spots no matter what lens you put on the camera. You can try to clean it with an air blower. If that doesn't work you'll need to use a contact cleaning method. There are various tutorials online about how to do this though it hasn't been enough of an issue with me to actually try it. Attempting to clean the sensor yourself using a contact method will probably void any warranty you have and sending it to the manufacturer to clean probably isn't worth your money.

[Bynx]

The spots you see are just that spots, circular in shape. Any chance you were shooting into the sun maybe 4 times before you noticed the spots? I dont know what happens when you point into the sun too long. This might be the result. I dont think just dust would create the same circular shape you have here.

[TheWengler]

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Photography-Tips/Sensor-Cleaning.aspx

[BBPhoto]

Definitely sensor dirt. Here's another link that might be of some use to you:

http://www.cleaningdigitalcameras.com/methods.html

[griptape]

Judging by the exif data of the picture, I don't think the sites posted above will be of much help in this case:

Camera Make: SONY
Camera Model: DSC-W1
Image Date: 2007:10:01 16:01:49
Flash Used: Yes (Manual, return light detected)
Focal Length: 23.7mm
Exposure Time: 0.020 s (1/50)
Aperture: f/5.2
ISO equiv: 160
White Balance: Auto
Metering Mode: Matrix
Exposure: program (Auto)

[BBPhoto]

Judging by the exif data of the picture, I don't think the sites posted above will be of much help in this case:

Camera Make: SONY
Camera Model: DSC-W1
Image Date: 2007:10:01 16:01:49
Flash Used: Yes (Manual, return light detected)
Focal Length: 23.7mm
Exposure Time: 0.020 s (1/50)
Aperture: f/5.2
ISO equiv: 160
White Balance: Auto
Metering Mode: Matrix
Exposure: program (Auto)

Are you referring to the Aperture? I was once able to see sensor crud on my pics when shooting @ F/4 so I think it may still be worth investigating.

[TheWengler]

Whoops. I assumed it was a DSLR. I doubt that camera is still under warranty and it's probably going to cost more than the value of the camera have the manufacturer fix the problem. I'd try the a camera shop or live with the problem. You can remove those blotches in Photoshop depending on how big they are. Their size isn't really clear from the image.

[griptape]

Are you referring to the Aperture? I was once able to see sensor crud on my pics when shooting @ F/4 so I think it may still be worth investigating.

No, I'm referring to the fact that the camera is an ultra compact with a fixed lens that you can't remove to clean the sensor.

[crum]

wouldn't this be a manufaturering defect since there isn't any real way you could have contaminated the sensor yourself?

[BBPhoto]

No, I'm referring to the fact that the camera is an ultra compact with a fixed lens that you can't remove to clean the sensor.

LOL! Didn't even notice.

[Bynx]

Are they dirt spots or are they solar burn ins on the sensor from shooting into the sun too with too long exposure? The four spots seem to make an arc similar to orbit of the sun or moon.

[gt_2001]

Thanks for all of the suggestions. The spots stay in the same place when zoomed in or out. They do get larger the further out I zoom. I never have taken pictures of the sun or any bright lights. There does seem to be a piece of dust on the inside of outer most lens. I may try some compressed air to clean out the lens. If that doesn't work then I'll bring it in to get looked at!

[TheWengler]

Thanks for all of the suggestions. The spots stay in the same place when zoomed in or out. They do get larger the further out I zoom. I never have taken pictures of the sun or any bright lights. There does seem to be a piece of dust on the inside of outer most lens. I may try some compressed air to clean out the lens. If that doesn't work then I'll bring it in to get looked at!

Make sure you're not shooting the same compressed "air" that you shoot at your keyboard. That probably wouldn't be good. I really don't think dust on the lens wouldn't cause a huge spot like that in your image. Whatever it is it's probably on the sensor.