Stubborn/Persistent Dust on Sensor

FromAnotherSide · 06-18-2015, 12:20 PM

I have for a time had problem with a spot/speck on the sensor of my Pentax K-5. I few weeks ago I acquired a lensklear pen (Lenspen SensorKlear II with Articulated Tip SK-1A B&H Photo) to try to clean it away myself when that didn't work I handed it in to the local photo store for cleaning.
Unfortunately when I got the camera back it still had the spot (although it had moved a bit). After two more tries the employee in the shop gave up and said he could not help me.
According to him he had tried both wet and dry cleaning in the appropriate order.
Now if it wasn't for that the spot actually moved during the cleaning I would have thought that it was a scratch. What can it be that is so persistent but still can move around on the sensor?
Do I have other options of how to properly clean the sensor?
Attaching two photos both taken at f22. One taken before cleaning and one after.

Attached Images

View Picture EXIF

View Picture EXIF

**BigMackCam** · 06-18-2015, 12:34 PM

Hmm. That looks like debris rather than a scratch. Maybe something from the stamen of a flower, sticky with pollen?

Over time I've had a couple of persistent bits of dust / debris that weren't removed by dust blower and wet cleaning. In both cases, I resolved the issue using a Pentax O-ICK1 Image Sensor Cleaning Kit. I'm not keen on it for full sensor cleaning - I prefer to use a blower followed by Digipads and solution. But, for picking off persistent spots of debris, it works very well indeed. Also, it's re-usable many, many times which makes it a good investment.

If you go down this route, I would still wet clean after using the O-ICK1 in case the debris leaves any sticky residue.

TedW · 06-18-2015, 01:08 PM

The dust I have gotten has never been anything that well defined. Always a very fuzzy appearance. Have you tried a different lens. Is it possible that it is in a part of the lens where it could looks so well defined? Just a crazy thought probably, but it looks so different from any dust I have ever got on my sensor.

vonBaloney · 06-18-2015, 06:17 PM

It becomes more defined the smaller the aperture, and some lenses stop down farther than others. +1 on the sticky thing, except I wouldn't do a wet cleaning (or anything) after unless you actually can see something is still there.

narual · 06-18-2015, 06:24 PM

Originally posted by TedW

The dust I have gotten has never been anything that well defined. Always a very fuzzy appearance. Have you tried a different lens. Is it possible that it is in a part of the lens where it could looks so well defined? Just a crazy thought probably, but it looks so different from any dust I have ever got on my sensor.

A wide angle lens set to focus close at a large aperture seems to show dust much more clearly.

jawsy · 06-19-2015, 12:29 AM

If I recall correctly, the sensor is actually covered with a protective micromesh. It is possible looking at the shape of the debris that it's hooked into the screen. If it were mine, I'd be persisting with the adhesive dabbing style sensor cleaner; one dab, re-check, repeat. Think of it acting like velcro.

vonBaloney · 06-19-2015, 07:41 AM

Originally posted by jawsy

If I recall correctly, the sensor is actually covered with a protective micromesh. It is possible looking at the shape of the debris that it's hooked into the screen. If it were mine, I'd be persisting with the adhesive dabbing style sensor cleaner; one dab, re-check, repeat. Think of it acting like velcro.

I don't think so (micromesh on the surface) -- that would be a nightmare. It is smooth glass. But yes to the dabbing gel stick...

jawsy · 06-19-2015, 03:37 PM

Yes you're right. I was thinking of the metal based coatings they put on the glass.

FromAnotherSide · 06-21-2015, 12:12 PM

Thanks for the replies. It is independent of lens so definitely something on the sensor.
I will try Pentax O-ICK1 and this dabbing. Hopefully I can salvage it with that.
Thanks again.

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06-18-2015, 12:34 PM	#2
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,695	Hmm. That looks like debris rather than a scratch. Maybe something from the stamen of a flower, sticky with pollen? Over time I've had a couple of persistent bits of dust / debris that weren't removed by dust blower and wet cleaning. In both cases, I resolved the issue using a Pentax O-ICK1 Image Sensor Cleaning Kit. I'm not keen on it for full sensor cleaning - I prefer to use a blower followed by Digipads and solution. But, for picking off persistent spots of debris, it works very well indeed. Also, it's re-usable many, many times which makes it a good investment. If you go down this route, I would still wet clean after using the O-ICK1 in case the debris leaves any sticky residue.

06-18-2015, 01:08 PM	#3
TedW Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 241	The dust I have gotten has never been anything that well defined. Always a very fuzzy appearance. Have you tried a different lens. Is it possible that it is in a part of the lens where it could looks so well defined? Just a crazy thought probably, but it looks so different from any dust I have ever got on my sensor.

06-18-2015, 06:17 PM	#4
vonBaloney Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 6,029	It becomes more defined the smaller the aperture, and some lenses stop down farther than others. +1 on the sticky thing, except I wouldn't do a wet cleaning (or anything) after unless you actually can see something is still there.

06-18-2015, 06:24 PM	#5
narual Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: South Bend (Notre Dame), Indiana Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,988	Originally posted by TedW The dust I have gotten has never been anything that well defined. Always a very fuzzy appearance. Have you tried a different lens. Is it possible that it is in a part of the lens where it could looks so well defined? Just a crazy thought probably, but it looks so different from any dust I have ever got on my sensor. A wide angle lens set to focus close at a large aperture seems to show dust much more clearly.

06-19-2015, 12:29 AM	#6
jawsy Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 422	If I recall correctly, the sensor is actually covered with a protective micromesh. It is possible looking at the shape of the debris that it's hooked into the screen. If it were mine, I'd be persisting with the adhesive dabbing style sensor cleaner; one dab, re-check, repeat. Think of it acting like velcro.

06-19-2015, 07:41 AM	#7
vonBaloney Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 6,029	Originally posted by jawsy If I recall correctly, the sensor is actually covered with a protective micromesh. It is possible looking at the shape of the debris that it's hooked into the screen. If it were mine, I'd be persisting with the adhesive dabbing style sensor cleaner; one dab, re-check, repeat. Think of it acting like velcro. I don't think so (micromesh on the surface) -- that would be a nightmare. It is smooth glass. But yes to the dabbing gel stick...

06-19-2015, 03:37 PM	#8
jawsy Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 422	Yes you're right. I was thinking of the metal based coatings they put on the glass.

06-21-2015, 12:12 PM	#9
FromAnotherSide New Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Göteborg Posts: 6 Original Poster	Thanks for the replies. It is independent of lens so definitely something on the sensor. I will try Pentax O-ICK1 and this dabbing. Hopefully I can salvage it with that. Thanks again.