Weird line on photos. Where's the problem?

kmhtax · 03-15-2014, 11:31 AM

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Hi,

I have Pentax K-30 which I bought in Nov 2012 and it came with 18-55mm. I noticed that there is a weird line that is appearing now on photos. It is very annoying. To know what I am talking about, take a look at the attached pics. This appears with different lenses, so it is a problem with the cam. The line is not noticeable when the background is dark. I cannot believe I did not notice this in September of last year when these pics were taken. After I took some pics yesterday, I noticed them. Note that, the photo(not posted here) taken just before the first pic with the line was only a minute before it was taken. So possibility of something entering the cam or something like that.

I have bought a 3 year extended warranty with the cam, but I don't if this is a major problem or something that I can do and fix myself.

Thank you

Attached Images

View Picture EXIF

View Picture EXIF

Last edited by kmhtax; 03-15-2014 at 11:42 AM. Reason: Added more clarity to the question

Apapukas · 03-15-2014, 11:49 AM

Definitely something wrong with the sensor.

You might try to clean the sensor. Even though, this doesn't look like some dust specs, oil or something like that.

If I were you, I would just send the cam for repair. Isn't that what the warranty is for?

**filoxophy** · 03-15-2014, 11:50 AM

A hair on the sensor?

Mazhe · 03-15-2014, 11:56 AM

Definitively a hair, given its size, it should be visible to the naked eye. Try to start the sensor shaking sequence with the camera front directing to the ground, but given it's not the best thing to keep that kind of stuff, I'd recommend a real cleanup.

wullemaha · 03-15-2014, 11:56 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by filoxophy

A hair on the sensor?

+1 on that, or dust or similar.

Should be easy to check. Take of the lens, put the camera in bulb mode, and take a picture with long enough exposure for you to take a look at the sensor.
Depending on whether you can see anything, try to get the sensor clean by blowing air on it (using one of those air-blower-cleaning-thingies - do NOT blow by yourself, you might make it worse by getting spittle on the sensor).

I had a similar line once and got it off this way (it was some kind of dust).

BR René

Giklab · 03-15-2014, 12:16 PM

Originally posted by wullemaha

Should be easy to check. Take of the lens, put the camera in bulb mode, and take a picture with long enough exposure for you to take a look at the sensor.

NONONONONO DON'T DO THAT! You'll just get even more crap on your sensor. Use the Sensor Cleaning option in the menu.

wullemaha · 03-15-2014, 12:31 PM

Originally posted by Giklab

NONONONONO DON'T DO THAT! You'll just get even more crap on your sensor...

I would say that depends on where you do it.
Goes without saying you shouldn't do it in your dusty basement, but maybe in a clean environment with clean tools...

**Schraubstock** · 03-15-2014, 12:40 PM - **1 Like**

HI

it is a hair, there is absolutely no doubt about it. It is so big you will see it with the naked eye. I would not use a blower, because of its size it will finish up somewhere else in the mirror chamber and cause other problems. Since you will be seeing it with your naked eyes Instead try to pick it up with the sticky Pentax lolly.

You Tube

Pentax O-ICK1 for Image Sensor Cleaning Kit :: Cleaning accessories :: Cameras Accessories - eGlobaL Digital Cameras Online Store

or equally as good: K1BO NEW Camera CCD Cmos Optical Sensor Dust Cleaning KIT Jelly Cleaner PEN | eBay

You can also use a static sensorbrush;
Visible Dust Arctic Butterfly Sensor Brush Head 7139535 | eBay

My philosophy is to pick up dust (or hair as in you case) rather than blowing it around in the mirror chamber.

Don't be afraid it is an easy job

Greetings

kmhtax · 03-15-2014, 12:41 PM

Thanks a lot for your suggestions. I removed the lens and looked inside just like that. Saw some scratch-like thingy (not sure what it is) on the mirror. Can I use a Zeiss lens cleaning cloth on the mirror? But the blemish doesn't look as the type that will come off by wiping. Haven't ventured into sensor cleaning yet since I got an error that battery isn't full enough for that procedure.

**Schraubstock** · 03-15-2014, 12:54 PM

Originally posted by kmhtax

Thanks a lot for your suggestions. I removed the lens and looked inside just like that. Saw some scratch-like thingy (not sure what it is) on the mirror. Can I use a Zeiss lens cleaning cloth on the mirror? But the blemish doesn't look as the type that will come off by wiping. Haven't ventured into sensor cleaning yet since I got an error that battery isn't full enough for that procedure.

In your photo it is not the sensor that you are seeing, it is the focusing screen.

kmhtax · 03-15-2014, 12:55 PM

Nevermind the previous post. I was afraid to look eye-to-eye with sensor :P. So I tried to find the problem outside. I held the mirror up and clicked a few blank pics and saw a particle inside. Now I must remove it. Thanks a lot for your suggestions.

Giklab · 03-15-2014, 02:30 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by wullemaha

I would say that depends on where you do it.
Goes without saying you shouldn't do it in your dusty basement, but maybe in a clean environment with clean tools...

If you use a long exposure, the sensor is charged and attracts dust particles so you're inevitably just dirtying up the sensor even more. The Sensor Cleaning option turns the whole sensor off.

**ramseybuckeye** · 03-15-2014, 02:32 PM

I had a very similar hair in my camera, here's the thread , problem was fixed easily.

krmitchell1055 · 03-15-2014, 04:19 PM

Originally posted by kmhtax

Hi,

I have Pentax K-30 which I bought in Nov 2012 and it came with 18-55mm. I noticed that there is a weird line that is appearing now on photos. It is very annoying. To know what I am talking about, take a look at the attached pics. This appears with different lenses, so it is a problem with the cam. The line is not noticeable when the background is dark. I cannot believe I did not notice this in September of last year when these pics were taken. After I took some pics yesterday, I noticed them. Note that, the photo(not posted here) taken just before the first pic with the line was only a minute before it was taken. So possibility of something entering the cam or something like that.

I have bought a 3 year extended warranty with the cam, but I don't if this is a major problem or something that I can do and fix myself.

Thank you

I used a Promaster Hurricane Blower to remove a dust spot on my sensor. At least give it a try before sending it in. The price is certainly low enough.

wullemaha · 03-15-2014, 04:21 PM

Originally posted by Giklab

If you use a long exposure, the sensor is charged and attracts dust particles so you're inevitably just dirtying up the sensor even more. The Sensor Cleaning option turns the whole sensor off.

Oh, ok! That's true.
Roger that!

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03-15-2014, 11:49 AM	#2
Apapukas Inactive Account Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Lietuva, Vilnius Posts: 627	Definitely something wrong with the sensor. You might try to clean the sensor. Even though, this doesn't look like some dust specs, oil or something like that. If I were you, I would just send the cam for repair. Isn't that what the warranty is for?

03-15-2014, 11:50 AM	#3
filoxophy Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Albuquerque Posts: 1,133	A hair on the sensor?

03-15-2014, 11:56 AM	#4
Mazhe Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Photos: Gallery Posts: 139	Definitively a hair, given its size, it should be visible to the naked eye. Try to start the sensor shaking sequence with the camera front directing to the ground, but given it's not the best thing to keep that kind of stuff, I'd recommend a real cleanup.

03-15-2014, 11:56 AM - 1 Like	#5
wullemaha Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Tokyo Posts: 503	Originally posted by filoxophy A hair on the sensor? +1 on that, or dust or similar. Should be easy to check. Take of the lens, put the camera in bulb mode, and take a picture with long enough exposure for you to take a look at the sensor. Depending on whether you can see anything, try to get the sensor clean by blowing air on it (using one of those air-blower-cleaning-thingies - do NOT blow by yourself, you might make it worse by getting spittle on the sensor). I had a similar line once and got it off this way (it was some kind of dust). BR René

03-15-2014, 12:16 PM	#6
Giklab Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Slovenia Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,182	Originally posted by wullemaha Should be easy to check. Take of the lens, put the camera in bulb mode, and take a picture with long enough exposure for you to take a look at the sensor. NONONONONO DON'T DO THAT! You'll just get even more crap on your sensor. Use the Sensor Cleaning option in the menu.

03-15-2014, 12:31 PM	#7
wullemaha Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Tokyo Posts: 503	Originally posted by Giklab NONONONONO DON'T DO THAT! You'll just get even more crap on your sensor... I would say that depends on where you do it. Goes without saying you shouldn't do it in your dusty basement, but maybe in a clean environment with clean tools...

03-15-2014, 12:54 PM	#10
Schraubstock Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,386	Originally posted by kmhtax Thanks a lot for your suggestions. I removed the lens and looked inside just like that. Saw some scratch-like thingy (not sure what it is) on the mirror. Can I use a Zeiss lens cleaning cloth on the mirror? But the blemish doesn't look as the type that will come off by wiping. Haven't ventured into sensor cleaning yet since I got an error that battery isn't full enough for that procedure. In your photo it is not the sensor that you are seeing, it is the focusing screen.

03-15-2014, 12:55 PM	#11
kmhtax New Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 17 Original Poster	Nevermind the previous post. I was afraid to look eye-to-eye with sensor :P. So I tried to find the problem outside. I held the mirror up and clicked a few blank pics and saw a particle inside. Now I must remove it. Thanks a lot for your suggestions.

03-15-2014, 02:30 PM - 1 Like	#12
Giklab Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Slovenia Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,182	Originally posted by wullemaha I would say that depends on where you do it. Goes without saying you shouldn't do it in your dusty basement, but maybe in a clean environment with clean tools... If you use a long exposure, the sensor is charged and attracts dust particles so you're inevitably just dirtying up the sensor even more. The Sensor Cleaning option turns the whole sensor off.

03-15-2014, 02:32 PM	#13
ramseybuckeye Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampstead, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 17,295	I had a very similar hair in my camera, here's the thread , problem was fixed easily.

03-15-2014, 04:19 PM	#14
krmitchell1055 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Springdale, Arkansas Photos: Gallery Posts: 168	Originally posted by kmhtax Hi, I have Pentax K-30 which I bought in Nov 2012 and it came with 18-55mm. I noticed that there is a weird line that is appearing now on photos. It is very annoying. To know what I am talking about, take a look at the attached pics. This appears with different lenses, so it is a problem with the cam. The line is not noticeable when the background is dark. I cannot believe I did not notice this in September of last year when these pics were taken. After I took some pics yesterday, I noticed them. Note that, the photo(not posted here) taken just before the first pic with the line was only a minute before it was taken. So possibility of something entering the cam or something like that. I have bought a 3 year extended warranty with the cam, but I don't if this is a major problem or something that I can do and fix myself. Thank you I used a Promaster Hurricane Blower to remove a dust spot on my sensor. At least give it a try before sending it in. The price is certainly low enough.

03-15-2014, 04:21 PM	#15
wullemaha Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Tokyo Posts: 503	Originally posted by Giklab If you use a long exposure, the sensor is charged and attracts dust particles so you're inevitably just dirtying up the sensor even more. The Sensor Cleaning option turns the whole sensor off. Oh, ok! That's true. Roger that!