Help! I've got dust on a digi-cam's fixed lens (from the inside!)

[ramizq1]

I have a olympus 550uz. It is working fine but i've got a "little" problem (no pun intended!). There is a dust particle at the inside of the lens and it is distorting every picture I take. Not sure how it got there. Is there anyway to fix this? Should I send olympus an email? The warranty is still there.

[TheWengler]

Could you post an example?

[ramizq1]

If you mean an image taken by the camera then here it is:

http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/8338/p9214157un9.jpg

The dust spot is quite easily visible (looks massive on the focus on that particular photo):(

[ramizq1]

And an even stranger thing... the spot moves from shot to shot. Sometimes it is in the center, sometime at the top etc etc... And I know its a dust spot because I can see it on the lens, quite easily visible. I can't clean it from the outside.

[tim11]

Where is the dust? You meant in the yellow circle I made?
If that's the one I think it's not dust - it's lens glare. You take the shot of a subject with some strong light source in the background. If it's dust you won't see it on the lens; you will only spot them after the fact. And dust will stay on exactly the same spot.

[ramizq1]

I can differentiate well b/w dust and lens flare :P It's not like I am new to cameras and photography.

Btw, it moves whenever I focus, seems like it is affected by the lens' movement. I managed to get it to the very bottom of the lens by focusing and re-focusing.

So, any solution?

[Margus]

Still can't see any distortion caused by dust on the sample picture. Can you post another sample photo where the dust is clearly visible? BTW if you have dust right on the lens surface then you wouldn't see it in the picture. You would see the dust only if it's on the sensor.

[SpecialK]

That sample looks like a perfect little pentagram caused by flare through the aperture blades. It is transparent as well. That one is not dust. I don't think dust is covered under warranty, regardless.

[ramizq1]

"Still can't see any distortion caused by dust on the sample picture. Can you post another sample photo where the dust is clearly visible? BTW if you have dust right on the lens surface then you wouldn't see it in the picture. You would see the dust only if it's on the sensor."

The dust particle is considerably bigger than a usual "dust" particle, hence it is clearly visible on the lens and gets on the picture as well. I was using super macro mode there. The poster in the beginning of the topic pointed it out using a circle.

"That sample looks like a perfect little pentagram caused by flare through the aperture blades. It is transparent as well. That one is not dust. I don't think dust is covered under warranty, regardless."

As I've said earlier, its not a lens flare. Believe me, I've worked with photoshop and cameras for a long while and I know a flare when I see one. Also you see, the light source has to be on the opposite side of the flare to cause it, which isn't the case in my picture. Plus, the dust spot is clearly visible on the lens... Either way, thanks for that info :(

And I don't have anymore pictures right now, running out of battery power atm.

[Margus]

Sorry guy, your experience is rubbish. You have been told several times already that this pentagram is caused by the light reflection inside the lens. You just have to accept it.

Once again - if you have a dust particle on the lens surface - that will just make the image darker, but will not be visible as a dust particle inside the image.

[ramizq1]

Sorry guy, your experience is rubbish. You have been told several times already that this pentagram is caused by the light reflection inside the lens. You just have to accept it.

Once again - if you have a dust particle on the lens surface - that will just make the image darker, but will not be visible as a dust particle inside the image.

Argh, how many times do I have to explain this... it aint a lens flare. I am really worried because I have to get the dust removed somehow, to be able to take pictures again and I really didn't want to get into a debate of why it might or might not be a spot.

And if you doubt my experience, well I've been working with p/s and cams for the last 4-5 years... And here's my flickr and panoramio account if you want to see em: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ramizq1/ , http://www.panoramio.com/user/1481838 (admins: please don't see this as advertising, I am merely trying to not get tangled up in this debate. I just want a frigging solution to my problem :()

[Margus]

I'm still not giving up with you :)
What you've got there is a type of lens flare which is called aperture ghosting. Take a look at the Figure 2 in this article (http://www.vanwalree.com/optics/flare.html). Does it look familiar? ;)
Some more sample pictures:
http://dawei.zenfolio.com/img/v2/p660773192.jpg
http://lydonphoto.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/step_1_cutout.jpg
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1332/782012550_2cf48045e6.jpg?v=0

[ramizq1]

:(

It's not aperture ghosting! Okay another reason why: The spot in my picture changes size when I change focus manually (and keep the camera steady). I had my camera set on the closest focus possible in that case. It gets bigger when I set the focus further away. It changes its position when I auto-focus (while keeping the camera steady). But really...

I am really disappointed. I give up. I really wish I had my cell-phone atm so I could take a few pics of the camera and show you the spot myself. Please, lock this topic mods. Too hard to get any help around here.

[S_p_i_d_e_r]

Can you point that spot on any other photo and post it here?

[ramizq1]

As I've said earlier, its not a lens flare. I have taken 1000+ shots with this camera, and never had this on any of my pictures before.

By the way, the dust "spot", atm, is at one of the corners of the lens, and barely visible on the photos now. I'll post more pictures tommorow when it is more clearly visible again (:(). I have to get some rest, since it's 2:30 at my place. Meanwhile, I'll welcome any solution anybody's got.

[S_p_i_d_e_r]

By the way, the dust "spot", atm, is at one of the corners of the lens, and barely visible on the photos now. I'll post more pictures tommorow when it is more clearly visible again (:(). I have to get some rest, since it's 2:30 at my place. Meanwhile, I'll welcome any solution anybody's got.

Take some photos of the white piece of paper or material at the different zoom and aperture settings. Then try to spot the spot (no pun intended), mark it and post these photos here.

BTW that "spot" on your keyboard photo looks like a lens flare, period. It's too "geometrical" to be just a random piece of dust.

[tim11]

.... Also you see, the light source has to be on the opposite side of the flare to cause it, which isn't the case in my picture. Plus, the dust spot is clearly visible on the lens...

The light doesn't have to be exactly on the opposite side of the lens. Plus strong light reflection at an angle can cause flares as well. I'm not arguing with you but just stating a fact.
Dust might change sizes when you change the focal lenght but it will always stays on the same spot. And dust will show on every single shot you make. If it's not on the same spot and doesn't show on every shot then it's not dust.

[ramizq1]

Dust might change sizes when you change the focal lenght but it will always stays on the same spot. And dust will show on every single shot you make. If it's not on the same spot and doesn't show on every shot then it's not dust.

For the last time, it was no lens flare.

And yes it was indeed showing up on every shot of mine... I could clearly see the spot on the lens as well. I stated quite clearly in an earlier post:


The spot in my picture changes size when I change focus manually (and keep the camera steady). I had my camera set on the closest focus possible in that case. It gets bigger when I set the focus further away. It changes its position when I auto-focus (while keeping the camera steady).

Here are the few shots I took when the spot was in the frame:

http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/9781/p9214156gp2.jpg
http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/1343/p9214155ul0.jpg
http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/9520/p9214158bb5.jpg

Either way, I can still see the spot on the lens, but it's moved into one of the corners and not showing anymore in my pictures. I took a lot of pictures today, all spot free! Here are a few examples (and I tried to re-create yesterday's environment too...)

http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/6492/p9224342rn5.jpg
http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/2622/p92243751qj6.jpg
http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/2543/p92243551lv1.jpg
http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/2374/p92243591rq8.jpg

Uploading a couple to flickr as well.

[Margus]

Meanwhile, I'll welcome any solution anybody's got.

Trying to be more helpful and less "teacher" today :)

The first suggestion to test the situation - try to find the pentagram shapes on pictures where there is absolutely no light source in front of you, not even at either side. I guess that there will be none to find.

You could have a dust or some other "free" particles inside your lens but they could not by any means generate these regular pentagrams. Most probably the pentagrams are caused by the internal reflections in situations where the light source (window, etc..) is not strait in front of the camera but rather to the side with a 40-90 degree angle.

If you could accept that it's lens flare, then you could avoid it with a self-made lens hood. Unfortunately Olympus does not provide one for your model. The other way to avoid it is to avoid light from any sides in front of you.

Hope it helped.

[tim11]

He said you can spot the dust visually from the front of the lens, so that is that.
I don't think anyone here will give you advice how to remove and clean the inside of the lens. However, if the spot doesn't show on the image anymore let's hope it stay like that; otherwise you will need to get in cleaned professionally.

[ramizq1]

He said you can spot the dust visually from the front of the lens, so that is that.

Exactly my point. I can clearly see a white spot on the lens, and I can't remove it from the outside.


I don't think anyone here will give you advice how to remove and clean the inside of the lens. However, if the spot doesn't show on the image anymore let's hope it stay like that; otherwise you will need to get in cleaned professionally.

Lets hope it stays like that. And by professionally I take it you mean I need to send it to Olympus? I need to keep that warranty intact :P

[Beowulff]

I too agree with this:
He said you can spot the dust visually from the front of the lens, so that is that.
I don't think anyone here will give you advice how to remove and clean the inside of the lens. However, if the spot doesn't show on the image anymore let's hope it stay like that; otherwise you will need to get in cleaned professionally.If there's a visible dust spot on the inside of the lens, then it's off to an Olympus service centre for a professional clean. My advice would be not to attempt to disassemble the camera yourself in any way, as that'll definitely null and void your warranty.

Whether or not this is gonna be covered by Olympus' warranty is another thing.

According to their (online) warranty documentation, they will not provide warranty service for:

"Any defect that occurs due to sand, mud, etc. entering the inside of the product casing."

My worry would be what exactly is Olympus' interpretation of the "etc" in that proviso? Dust? Pollen? Water vapour? Grease off a Big Mac? An Iraqi helicopter?

Good luck, and let's know how you get on with Olympus service.

:)

[James DeRuvo DHQ]

I have to agree. The shape it what gives it away. This is caused by light bouncing off the aperture and come out. If it were dust, it would be smudgy, not at sharp angles. Course, you could have it repaired. But understand that the average cost of a camera repair is around $180. As such, you have to ask yourself if that cost is more to repair than it is really worth. The rule of thumb is that if the estimate for repair is north of 50% what you paid for it, you're better off taking that money and buying a newer and upgraded model.

But with Photo Shop, even lensflare is managable.

[S_p_i_d_e_r]

I have to agree. The shape it what gives it away. This is caused by light bouncing off the aperture and come out. If it were dust, it would be smudgy, not at sharp angles. Course, you could have it repaired.

How can you repair a lens flare effect? :)

[Margus]

:(

It's not aperture ghosting! Okay another reason why: The spot in my picture changes size when I change focus manually (and keep the camera steady). I had my camera set on the closest focus possible in that case. It gets bigger when I set the focus further away. It changes its position when I auto-focus (while keeping the camera steady)

Come on, this is exactly what should happen with lens flare. When you are changing the focal length of your lens then you are actually shifting some of the lens elements, and naturally this will change the reflections between the lens elements and will affect both the size and the position of the pentagram in your images.

Are you finally going to accept the fact facing you?:confused:

[ramizq1]

Read tim11's post.

I had some pretty large dust spots again on my lens yesterday (at the front this time though) so instead of taking pictures I decided to make a video. And guess what? All of them appear as pentagrams. Will post it after I am done compressing and uploading it.

Btw- Thanks for the helpful post Beowulff!

[ramizq1]

http://ramizq1.sitesled.com/spots.wmv

Yes I was pointing directly towards the light source in that video, but as you can see, the spots do not replicate the movement of lens flares. And the dust was pretty clearly visible on my lens as well. If you want, I can post another video I made at a much different focal length showing the same spots, but only different size.

[Margus]

Ok, seems you are right. Damn! :D