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11/26/2007 08:17:42 AM · #1 |
I was shooting my complementary colours entry yesterday when I noticed what look like sensor dust marks. I cleaned the lens both front and back with a soft cloth, even swapped lenses, but to no avail :-(
The marks are more discernible as dust the slower shutter speed I use. at 1 sec or so, there are what almost look like greasy spots, which at slow shutter speeds (tried with 30 secs) you can clearly see dustmarks in the same place. At "ordinary" shutter speeds it's almost not noticable unless you're really looking. Is that anyone's experience?
Anyway the problem is I've never had to clean the sensor before and I'm petrified of causing damage :-( I got a camera cleaning kit from Jessops a while back which comes with a soft brush. Is that what I'd use? Or, seeing as I bought the camera from Jessops in the first place, and warranty is still in place, (and camera is insured), reckon it'd be an idea to go to Jessops and ask them if they'd clean it? (EDIT - or show me how to clean it) (ideally for free ;-) )
Although judging by the rules for basic I am allowed to clone out sensor dust, aren't I?
Message edited by author 2007-11-26 08:18:09. |
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11/26/2007 08:34:17 AM · #2 |
Take a shot of the sky at f/22 - that's the best way to see dust on your sensor.
And don't worry about it, it happens to every dSLR. I had tons of dust on mine after only a few weeks. |
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11/26/2007 08:35:41 AM · #3 |
Originally posted by SoulMan1978:
I was shooting my complementary colours entry yesterday when I noticed what look like sensor dust marks. I cleaned the lens both front and back with a soft cloth, even swapped lenses, but to no avail :-(
The marks are more discernible as dust the slower shutter speed I use. at 1 sec or so, there are what almost look like greasy spots, which at slow shutter speeds (tried with 30 secs) you can clearly see dustmarks in the same place. At "ordinary" shutter speeds it's almost not noticable unless you're really looking. Is that anyone's experience?
Anyway the problem is I've never had to clean the sensor before and I'm petrified of causing damage :-( I got a camera cleaning kit from Jessops a while back which comes with a soft brush. Is that what I'd use? Or, seeing as I bought the camera from Jessops in the first place, and warranty is still in place, (and camera is insured), reckon it'd be an idea to go to Jessops and ask them if they'd clean it? (EDIT - or show me how to clean it) (ideally for free ;-) )
Although judging by the rules for basic I am allowed to clone out sensor dust, aren't I? |
If you are seeing them more "at slower shutter speeds", that's really because the longer shutter speed forces a smaller aperture, and the smaller the aperture the more visible the dust marks are.
The best "traditional" way to clean your sensor is with "Eclipse" cleaning solution and "pec pads", lint-free swabs. I don't know if the jessops kit includes these. The brush may help, but often they just move the dust around without really cleaning anything.
If you follow your manufacturer's instructions for sensor cleaning (as far as getting the mirror to retract and stay up) you are pretty safe unless you are ham-handed. If in doubt, go with your camera to a camera-repair place and ask if you can watch one of their technicians clean it so you can learn how. That's what i did.
R.
Message edited by author 2007-11-26 08:36:17.
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11/26/2007 08:35:57 AM · #4 |
The best way to see how much sensor dust you have is to take the lens off your camera and shoot at a clear white board. Or with a lens on the camera set the lens to the the smallest amateur (f/22, f/32, etc) and shot at a clear white board. These two methods will show up sensor dust if you have any.
As far a cleaning. I use a soft haired art brush that does not shed. A hurricane blower and sometimes caned air. Caned air, you have to take caution in how you use it. So far I have had good results in cleaning using these tools.
Good luck and hope you get it clean.
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11/26/2007 08:58:57 AM · #5 |
Tip to prevent getting sensor dust quick.
Change the lens quick as possible. If you don't have to use cap for your camera, keep the last lens on your machine until you need another one. Keep the bottom of lenses down and keep them in their caps all the time even when you change the lens. Unscrew the cap and leave the lens on it until the switch.
Keep your camera's front looking down when you change lens. After you release the current lens, make backwards move slowly until the next lens comes in place. This way you prevent dust going in and current dust vacuums out.
Don't worry about very small dusts; while you try to clean the small dusts, you may actually bring in more if you don't have proper tools for cleaning.
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11/26/2007 09:07:46 AM · #6 |
Originally posted by FocusPoint:
Tip to prevent getting sensor dust quick.
Change the lens quick as possible. If you don't have to use cap for your camera, keep the last lens on your machine until you need another one. Keep the bottom of lenses down and keep them in their caps all the time even when you change the lens. Unscrew the cap and leave the lens on it until the switch.
Keep your camera's front looking down when you change lens. After you release the current lens, make backwards move slowly until the next lens comes in place. This way you prevent dust going in and current dust vacuums out.
Don't worry about very small dusts; while you try to clean the small dusts, you may actually bring in more if you don't have proper tools for cleaning. |
To add a few more tips:
1. If changing your lens in your vehicle make sure your air conditioner or heater fan is off.
2. If outside change lens against the wind.
3. Before removing lens from camera use a blower to gently get any dust off the area where the lens attach to the camera.
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11/26/2007 09:19:27 AM · #7 |
well to be honest I found the best method and safest is just using a rocket blower to blow the dust away. My sensor was filthy and is pretty much removed it all.
Hold the camera with the sensor facing the floor and use the blower. |
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11/26/2007 05:48:06 PM · #8 |
I purchased a magazine a few months ago and on the front was a free dust removal tool. Tou can also find it here. I have used it on mine it is an excellent little tool. You can also get similar on ebay etc.
Hope that helps
Lee |
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11/26/2007 06:45:25 PM · #9 |
Originally posted by swhiddon:
The best way to see how much sensor dust you have is to take the lens off your camera and shoot at a clear white board. Or with a lens on the camera set the lens to the the smallest amateur (f/22, f/32, etc) and shot at a clear white board. These two methods will show up sensor dust if you have any.
As far a cleaning. I use a soft haired art brush that does not shed. A hurricane blower and sometimes caned air. Caned air, you have to take caution in how you use it. So far I have had good results in cleaning using these tools.
Good luck and hope you get it clean. |
Canned air is a BIG NO NO when it comes to cleaning your sensor. |
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11/27/2007 07:29:47 AM · #10 |
| Thanks all for your advice! |
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11/27/2007 07:33:57 AM · #11 |
 same!
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11/29/2007 05:14:06 PM · #12 |
| Thanks to everyone for their suggestions and tips for diagnosis. Went to shop today, bought a brush they recommended :-) Got one or two tiny little specks still on picture but it's much better than it was :-) Thanks to everyone for putting my mind at rest :-) |
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11/29/2007 05:20:10 PM · #13 |
Originally posted by AlexSaberi:
well to be honest I found the best method and safest is just using a rocket blower to blow the dust away. My sensor was filthy and is pretty much removed it all.
Hold the camera with the sensor facing the floor and use the blower. |
This is all I do too, it is quick and easy, in fact anytime I change my lens I try to clean out the camera using my rocket blower. They are pretty cheap, I got mine from b&h. It hasn't failed me yet.
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