"Spots" appearing on my photos. Help

[carman]

I have a pentax k100d and a lot of the times I take a photo I get 2 spots on my images. I think it may be dust on the sensor. I've tried blowing into the open shutter but it hasn't done anything, I don't want to touch. I'm almost sure it is on the sensor and not lens, because I have a brand new lens, and it appears, as well as on my old lens. Sometimes its more visible depending on the lighting condition. How can I fix this? Here's a sample image: http://img113.imageshack.us/img113/452/spotsdr3.th.jpg (http://img113.imageshack.us/my.php?image=spotsdr3.jpg)

[TheWengler]

Use the sensor cleaning option under the "set up" menu to raise the mirror. Then use a rocket blower to blow the dust off of the sensor. Most of the time this fixes the problem. Don't blow in it with your mouth, you'll only make it worse. If this doesn't work there are some online tutorials which explain how to clean the sensor using a contact method. If you do clean the sensor yourself using a contact method then it will void your warranty.

[Rooz]

yeah as wengler says, you have to make sure you flip the mirror up to get to the sensor before using a rocket blower otherwise your just blowing onto the mirror.

dust happens, its not that big a deal.

[Vich]

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If you do clean the sensor yourself using a contact method then it will void your warranty.
For real?

That just seems outlandish. I clean my sensor (using my kit and strictly adhering to their instruction) on a regular basis. I've never thought much of it.

Does Pentax actually say that in their warranty statement? I'm not challenging you, just curious.

[TheWengler]

For real?

That just seems outlandish. I clean my sensor (using my kit and strictly adhering to their instruction) on a regular basis. I've never thought much of it.

Does Pentax actually say that in their warranty statement? I'm not challenging you, just curious.

Well I actually picked that up from one of the online sensor cleaning tutorials. The warranty states, "This warranty doesn't cover any damage caused to the product including...operation contrary to operating instructions." In the manual under the sensor cleaning instructions it says not to use any contact cleaning method.

[fionndruinne]

Contact cleaning regularly? Seems like a lot more effort than necessary, from my point of view.

[TheWengler]

Contact cleaning regularly? Seems like a lot more effort than necessary, from my point of view.

I agree, but I think they're just protecting themselves from untrained users damaging the sensors.

[fionndruinne]

Exactly... with contact cleaning, one misguided dab and your sensor might kick the bucket.

[coldrain]

Contact cleaning will not void warranty. But if you are so clumsy to mess that up and actually scratch the sensor glass, of course that will not be covered by warranty.

It really is not hard to clean a sensor with some contact method, and often it is needed to get it clean... blowers do not help with everything.

[Vich]

Contact cleaning regularly? Seems like a lot more effort than necessary, from my point of view.

About every 10,000 clicks. So; maybe once every 6 months I'll waste 2 new swabs (of the 30 or so in my kit) on both my bodies. Between them, I do a blowing about every 3rd or 4th major outing.

I did an outdoor wedding with one of my bodies having several noticeable spots. So; maybe 200 photos were affected. What a waste of PP effort!

After a few large PP jobs, you quickly learn a few simple measures to tremendous time savings.

1. Make sure your sensor is clean.
2. Sync the clock on all bodies (including if you have a 2nd shooter).
3. Take color reference shots in all major lighting situations.
4. Don't under-expose high ISO shots.

Contact sensor cleaning is VERY easy. Maybe 5 minutes of focused undisturbed time. I do just 1 swipe and don't push hard. I change swabs with each cleaning. So far; I've not damaged a sensor and it works beautifully. I test the camera after each one.

[fionndruinne]

Depends on the circumstance I suppose. In the ~12000 shots I've run up, only one spot has appeared (about 1500 shots ago; rarely visible in photos) which the blower doesn't seem to be getting rid of. So I guess it's about time for a contact clean.. but I don't really consider every 10000 shots to be a very "regular" basis.:p

[carman]

I put the camera under sensor cleaning and the shutter raised and i blew into it with this squeeze blower i have special for cameras and its still there! Its getting very annoying. What else can I do?

[Rooz]

are you holding your camera face down to ensure that anything you blow is falling out rather than just blowing it around the chamber ? is the dust in the same place ? can you see the specs with your eye ?

if all else fails, and you are comfortable cleaning the sensor yourself then use a special sensor cleaning kit. otherwise, clone it out until you get it cleaned by a service centre.

get used to this btw. dust is going to get on your sensor again. maybe not quite as ingrained as what you currently have, but its something you just have to learn to put up with on dslr's. even those with auto cleaning systems. dust still gets in there. end of story.

[carman]

are you holding your camera face down to ensure that anything you blow is falling out rather than just blowing it around the chamber ? is the dust in the same place ? can you see the specs with your eye ?

if all else fails, and you are comfortable cleaning the sensor yourself then use a special sensor cleaning kit. otherwise, clone it out until you get it cleaned by a service centre.

get used to this btw. dust is going to get on your sensor again. maybe not quite as ingrained as what you currently have, but its something you just have to learn to put up with on dslr's. even those with auto cleaning systems. dust still gets in there. end of story.


I see a little spec on the sensor and I think that may be it. But it looks suck on. Its nothing I can blow off. Is it possible that this is covered under the 1 year warranty? If i bring it in to the store I bought it at will they clean it?

[Rooz]

I see a little spec on the sensor and I think that may be it. But it looks suck on. Its nothing I can blow off. Is it possible that this is covered under the 1 year warranty? If i bring it in to the store I bought it at will they clean it?

they should clean sensors at the store. whether they do it under warranty or not i don't know. no harm in asking. :)

[GaryS]

I brought mine into the big H here in Canada, and the guy there recommended the Arctic Butterfly system. I bought the brush, and he did the cleaning for me (explaining it along the way), and then tested it to show how much cleaner it was...

I've done it myself one time since, its not hard and I recommend this system.

[Vich]

I see a little spec on the sensor and I think that may be it. But it looks suck on. Its nothing I can blow off. Is it possible that this is covered under the 1 year warranty? If i bring it in to the store I bought it at will they clean it?
Canon generally does 1 free cleaning. It's not written, but since they all-too-commonly send new units out with dirty sensors, they simply take them. If they charge, I think it's about $30. Nikon doesn't have a reputation of being as generous with the freebies, but it can't cost much.

I'm looking at the Sensor Swab solution I got. It was $38.40 for about 16 swabs, then $6.50 for the solution. Each is individually wrapped, like surgical equipment.

Remember; the sensor has a barrier over it. You're not touching the actual sensor. Now that would be scary!

[mcenut]

I've owned my Canon 20D for coming up on 3 years. I have had several times where dust has become lodged on the sensor. I have never had to resort to dabbing or swabbing the sensor to remove the dust. All I have ever used, and continue to use, is my Giotto Rocket Blower to clean the sensor. There are cheaper blowers, but none that work as well as the Giotto brand. I picked mine up in a local shop, paid full retail, but it was still cheaper than ordering it and paying for shipping.