New to me K5 with spot on sensor. Detectives needed!

apentacitis · 02-21-2015, 11:41 AM

Recently purchased a new to me K5, barely used maybe less than 200 shots on it. Everything was good till I decided to shoot with high f-stops to see if the sensor was dirty. Had some dirt on it but nothing crazy, nonetheless I gave it a wet cleaning. That took everything off except for this one annoying spot. I know that the K5s were notorious for sensor stains but I am not sure if that is what this is. Could just be a really stubborn spot, but I believe I have worked it enough to know its probably not coming off. Any opinions would be greatly appreciated, I would hate to send it in as a repair would probably cost close to what I paid for it. Thanks.

The spot is slightly off center to the right and down. It shows up at f11 and if you are trying hard to spot it can be seen at 5.6.

100%

Joojoo2010 · 02-21-2015, 11:48 AM

I had once spot looking like that after camera did come from maintenance. I did use almoust one pack of eclipce swaps but finally spot was gone. Little grazy sounding story but true...

**sergysergy** · 02-21-2015, 11:50 AM

It looks like the famous spots:

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/94-pentax-price-watch/289036-pentax-k5.html

Adam · 02-21-2015, 11:59 AM

Originally posted by apentacitis

Recently purchased a new to me K5, barely used maybe less than 200 shots on it. Everything was good till I decided to shoot with high f-stops to see if the sensor was dirty. Had some dirt on it but nothing crazy, nonetheless I gave it a wet cleaning. That took everything off except for this one annoying spot. I know that the K5s were notorious for sensor stains but I am not sure if that is what this is. Could just be a really stubborn spot, but I believe I have worked it enough to know its probably not coming off. Any opinions would be greatly appreciated, I would hate to send it in as a repair would probably cost close to what I paid for it. Thanks.

The spot is slightly off center to the right and down. It shows up at f11 and if you are trying hard to spot it can be seen at 5.6.
100%

Unless I'm missing something, that's just a piece of dust and you should be able to blow it away with a rocket blower or remove it with a sensor cleaning kit.

Adam
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**sergysergy** · 02-21-2015, 12:03 PM

I thought the ring around the spot was characteristic of sensor stains...If that's not the case I will shut up

apentacitis · 02-21-2015, 12:15 PM

Well, as of now I have tried the blower, which didn't do anything for that but it did remove stuff that was not stuck. I have tried numerous we cleanings, maybe around 6 or 7 over a 3 day span. The sensor is very clean other than that one spot. I was sure the sensor stain was more of a trail of spots but I may be wrong. Its honestly not noticeable in regular pictures with wide apertures so its not too bad but when you know its there it becomes annoying. Any other ideas would help, cleaning solutions (I use eclipse now), methods, whatever you guys can think of. Thanks again.

Dave's clichés · 02-21-2015, 12:23 PM

" I'm not certain" but the sensor stains of the early K5's were in fact in between the sensor and the AA/IR filter glass and were caused by the glue used to adhere the glass, the glue used would vaporise slightly when the sensor heated up after using live view for a period of time, this vapor would then condense into droplets trapped behind the glass as the sensor cooled. Not certain that's what's happening here, but if repeated cleanings do not eliminate the spot, it remains a possibility.

vonBaloney · 02-21-2015, 12:25 PM

Usually a wet cleaning will take care of it (although I always end up with new spots from the cleaning, but the spots will at least be in new places). Dust is visible on the sensor (with your eyes) -- you should be able to see the speck on there if there is one while the mirror is up. If it is oil-based it can be tough to get rid of (and maybe less visible to the eye). It doesn't look like the infamous sensor stains though. What is the serial # on the camera?

apentacitis · 02-21-2015, 12:32 PM

Serial Number is 3847****. I guess I will try a couple more times, the spot is visible when the mirror is up, I tend to think it is possibly dry oil and the methanol in eclipse just isn't cutting it. Thats just my guess I could be wrong but if someone more knowledgeable than me has an opinion I'd like to hear it, I'm open to anything because this hasn't budged.

vonBaloney · 02-21-2015, 12:35 PM

Well, if you can see it on the surface, that's good, that means you can get rid of it. You might want to try one of the fluids from VisibleDust...

Joojoo2010 · 02-21-2015, 12:55 PM

i did also think that it was some kind of oil, eclipse did not work well. But I did just wipe sensor like kitchen owen with swab over the stain, u know left right and repeat 50 times with one swap and little harder press than normal. no harm done, i was lucky maybe...

**sergysergy** · 02-21-2015, 01:01 PM

Originally posted by vonBaloney

Well, if you can see it on the surface, that's good, that means you can get rid of it. You might want to try one of the fluids from VisibleDust...

I had a spot on my K-X that was visible but impossible to remove. It was in some inner layer of the sensor.
Anyways, it does not look like a huge spot so I am sure you could live with it even if it cannot be removed.

apentacitis · 02-21-2015, 01:15 PM

Originally posted by Joojoo2010

i did also think that it was some kind of oil, eclipse did not work well. But I did just wipe sensor like kitchen owen with swab over the stain, u know left right and repeat 50 times with one swap and little harder press than normal. no harm done, i was lucky maybe...

Not sure what you mean by "kitchen owen".

Joojoo2010 · 02-21-2015, 01:46 PM

Originally posted by apentacitis

Not sure what you mean by "kitchen owen".

oven sorry, i mean cleaning sensor that time was little same as cleaning dirty old kitchen oven cos it is in both cases needed to wipe and wipe so much to get dirty spots removed. I did try to say that just wipe and wipe so much with every swab until spot is gone...this advice can not be found in any official sensor cleaning instruction

apentacitis · 02-21-2015, 01:55 PM

Originally posted by Joojoo2010

oven sorry, i mean cleaning sensor that time was little same as cleaning dirty old kitchen oven cos it is in both cases needed to wipe and wipe so much to get dirty spots removed. I did try to say that just wipe and wipe so much with every swab until spot is gone...this advice can not be found in any official sensor cleaning instruction

Yeah ok thats what I thought you meant. I definitely tried to "work" the area, still remained the same. I don't think it has changed any since I started so I am starting to think it is either a defect, stain, or stubborn oil/pollen.

02-21-2015, 11:41 AM	#1
apentacitis Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 32	New to me K5 with spot on sensor. Detectives needed! Recently purchased a new to me K5, barely used maybe less than 200 shots on it. Everything was good till I decided to shoot with high f-stops to see if the sensor was dirty. Had some dirt on it but nothing crazy, nonetheless I gave it a wet cleaning. That took everything off except for this one annoying spot. I know that the K5s were notorious for sensor stains but I am not sure if that is what this is. Could just be a really stubborn spot, but I believe I have worked it enough to know its probably not coming off. Any opinions would be greatly appreciated, I would hate to send it in as a repair would probably cost close to what I paid for it. Thanks. The spot is slightly off center to the right and down. It shows up at f11 and if you are trying hard to spot it can be seen at 5.6. 100%

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02-21-2015, 11:48 AM	#2
Joojoo2010 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 306	I had once spot looking like that after camera did come from maintenance. I did use almoust one pack of eclipce swaps but finally spot was gone. Little grazy sounding story but true...

02-21-2015, 11:50 AM	#3
sergysergy Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,171	It looks like the famous spots: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/94-pentax-price-watch/289036-pentax-k5.html

02-21-2015, 11:59 AM	#4
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	Originally posted by apentacitis Recently purchased a new to me K5, barely used maybe less than 200 shots on it. Everything was good till I decided to shoot with high f-stops to see if the sensor was dirty. Had some dirt on it but nothing crazy, nonetheless I gave it a wet cleaning. That took everything off except for this one annoying spot. I know that the K5s were notorious for sensor stains but I am not sure if that is what this is. Could just be a really stubborn spot, but I believe I have worked it enough to know its probably not coming off. Any opinions would be greatly appreciated, I would hate to send it in as a repair would probably cost close to what I paid for it. Thanks. The spot is slightly off center to the right and down. It shows up at f11 and if you are trying hard to spot it can be seen at 5.6. 100% Unless I'm missing something, that's just a piece of dust and you should be able to blow it away with a rocket blower or remove it with a sensor cleaning kit. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

02-21-2015, 12:03 PM	#5
sergysergy Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,171	I thought the ring around the spot was characteristic of sensor stains...If that's not the case I will shut up

02-21-2015, 12:15 PM	#6
apentacitis Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 32 Original Poster	Well, as of now I have tried the blower, which didn't do anything for that but it did remove stuff that was not stuck. I have tried numerous we cleanings, maybe around 6 or 7 over a 3 day span. The sensor is very clean other than that one spot. I was sure the sensor stain was more of a trail of spots but I may be wrong. Its honestly not noticeable in regular pictures with wide apertures so its not too bad but when you know its there it becomes annoying. Any other ideas would help, cleaning solutions (I use eclipse now), methods, whatever you guys can think of. Thanks again.

02-21-2015, 12:23 PM	#7
Dave's clichés Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 98	" I'm not certain" but the sensor stains of the early K5's were in fact in between the sensor and the AA/IR filter glass and were caused by the glue used to adhere the glass, the glue used would vaporise slightly when the sensor heated up after using live view for a period of time, this vapor would then condense into droplets trapped behind the glass as the sensor cooled. Not certain that's what's happening here, but if repeated cleanings do not eliminate the spot, it remains a possibility.

02-21-2015, 12:25 PM	#8
vonBaloney Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 6,029	Usually a wet cleaning will take care of it (although I always end up with new spots from the cleaning, but the spots will at least be in new places). Dust is visible on the sensor (with your eyes) -- you should be able to see the speck on there if there is one while the mirror is up. If it is oil-based it can be tough to get rid of (and maybe less visible to the eye). It doesn't look like the infamous sensor stains though. What is the serial # on the camera?

02-21-2015, 12:32 PM	#9
apentacitis Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 32 Original Poster	Serial Number is 3847****. I guess I will try a couple more times, the spot is visible when the mirror is up, I tend to think it is possibly dry oil and the methanol in eclipse just isn't cutting it. Thats just my guess I could be wrong but if someone more knowledgeable than me has an opinion I'd like to hear it, I'm open to anything because this hasn't budged.

02-21-2015, 12:35 PM	#10
vonBaloney Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 6,029	Well, if you can see it on the surface, that's good, that means you can get rid of it. You might want to try one of the fluids from VisibleDust...

02-21-2015, 12:55 PM	#11
Joojoo2010 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 306	i did also think that it was some kind of oil, eclipse did not work well. But I did just wipe sensor like kitchen owen with swab over the stain, u know left right and repeat 50 times with one swap and little harder press than normal. no harm done, i was lucky maybe...

02-21-2015, 01:01 PM	#12
sergysergy Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,171	Originally posted by vonBaloney Well, if you can see it on the surface, that's good, that means you can get rid of it. You might want to try one of the fluids from VisibleDust... I had a spot on my K-X that was visible but impossible to remove. It was in some inner layer of the sensor. Anyways, it does not look like a huge spot so I am sure you could live with it even if it cannot be removed.

02-21-2015, 01:15 PM	#13
apentacitis Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 32 Original Poster	Originally posted by Joojoo2010 i did also think that it was some kind of oil, eclipse did not work well. But I did just wipe sensor like kitchen owen with swab over the stain, u know left right and repeat 50 times with one swap and little harder press than normal. no harm done, i was lucky maybe... Not sure what you mean by "kitchen owen".

02-21-2015, 01:46 PM	#14
Joojoo2010 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 306	Originally posted by apentacitis Not sure what you mean by "kitchen owen". oven sorry, i mean cleaning sensor that time was little same as cleaning dirty old kitchen oven cos it is in both cases needed to wipe and wipe so much to get dirty spots removed. I did try to say that just wipe and wipe so much with every swab until spot is gone...this advice can not be found in any official sensor cleaning instruction

02-21-2015, 01:55 PM	#15
apentacitis Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 32 Original Poster	Originally posted by Joojoo2010 oven sorry, i mean cleaning sensor that time was little same as cleaning dirty old kitchen oven cos it is in both cases needed to wipe and wipe so much to get dirty spots removed. I did try to say that just wipe and wipe so much with every swab until spot is gone...this advice can not be found in any official sensor cleaning instruction Yeah ok thats what I thought you meant. I definitely tried to "work" the area, still remained the same. I don't think it has changed any since I started so I am starting to think it is either a defect, stain, or stubborn oil/pollen.