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jaieger · 07-22-2010, 05:55 PM

Hey, I've noticed recently that in my pictures, I've been getting a bit of a smudge-like defect on them. The dust alert reveals no dust particles, and the lens/filter is clean. Is this becuase of a dirty sensor? And if so, how can I clean it? (Or should I take it in to be cleaned?)

Attached Images

MPrince · 07-22-2010, 05:59 PM

Hard to tell from that image. Best way to check is to set your aperture at f22 and take a photo of a clear blue sky (no clouds). Use a low iso and set to manual focus.

jaieger · 07-22-2010, 06:52 PM

I retook the shot with better lighting and using the settings you recommended (F22, ISO 200).

The defect looks pretty clear in this one =/ What do you guys think it is?

jaieger · 07-22-2010, 07:29 PM

Just did a few more dust alert checks against a white piece of paper; the in-camera dust check definitely picks up a few specks of dust approximately where they're showing up on my pictures. And even after multiple shakes from the dust removal, whatever the specks are, they aren't budging. Should I go out and buy a bulb blower? =p

Electric Eye · 07-22-2010, 07:52 PM

...I had the same thing in my k200d and it was in behind my focusing screen.The funny thing is that it showed up on my pics at first and then gone,but I could still see it through the viewfinder!.I just put in a new focusing screen and the problem is solved so take it from there~!

jaieger · 07-22-2010, 07:56 PM

Originally posted by Electric Eye

...I had the same thing in my k200d and it was in behind my focusing screen.The funny thing is that it showed up on my pics at first and then gone,but I could still see it through the viewfinder!.I just put in a new focusing screen and the problem is solved so take it from there~!

How do I know if it's on the focusing screen or not? I just looked through the viewfinder at a white surface and see nothing there.

**Canada_Rockies** · 07-22-2010, 08:50 PM

Originally posted by jaieger

I retook the shot with better lighting and using the settings you recommended (F22, ISO 200).

The defect looks pretty clear in this one =/ What do you guys think it is?

It appears to be a hair or something similar. Time for the blower. Use it with the camera mount toward the floor, preferably in some humid area (lowers static electricity). I use my bathroom for the really sticky stuff like this. Lots of blowing, but make sure you don't touch the sensor - although it is actually the filter in front of it.

Electric Eye · 07-22-2010, 08:58 PM

Originally posted by jaieger

How do I know if it's on the focusing screen or not? I just looked through the viewfinder at a white surface and see nothing there.

...I took my lens off and looked through viewfinder at a light and could see it more clearly that way.Go too Focusing Screen and there are instructions on how to remove focusing screen and you could blow out behind it.Be very careful as the screens are very fragile and mark easy.Treat it like a bar of soap as it marks almost as easy as that.

**Canada_Rockies** · 07-22-2010, 09:37 PM

Originally posted by jaieger

How do I know if it's on the focusing screen or not? I just looked through the viewfinder at a white surface and see nothing there.

If you can see it in the viewfinder, it is on the focusing screen and doesn't affect the image. If you cannot see it in the viewfinder, it is on the sensor filter and affects only the image. Check your manual for how to get the mirror to lock up for cleaning (it's in the menus) and then look at the sensor with a magnifying glass. That one is large enough that you should be able to see it. Whatever you do, do not touch the sensor filter with anything. Nothing. Nada. Use a blower, not a compressed air can. The compressed air can can send propellant out if not handled properly and really foul up the innards of your camera.

GeneV · 07-23-2010, 12:16 AM

Originally posted by Canada_Rockies

Whatever you do, do not touch the sensor filter with anything. Nothing. Nada.

For that dust shown, that is probably good advice, but, as has been discussed on other threads, it is not always possible. There are some kinds of dirt that will not respond to air. Never.

alohadave · 07-23-2010, 06:54 AM

Originally posted by jaieger

How do I know if it's on the focusing screen or not? I just looked through the viewfinder at a white surface and see nothing there.

If it were on the focusing screen, it wouldn't be in your pictures.

It's a hair or fiber on the sensor.

alohadave · 07-23-2010, 06:58 AM

Originally posted by Canada_Rockies

Whatever you do, do not touch the sensor filter with anything. Nothing. Nada. Use a blower, not a compressed air can.

It is perfectly fine to clean the sensor using a swab or sensorpen. The filter is glass, and you'd need to really work at scratching it.

**Canada_Rockies** · 07-23-2010, 09:38 AM

Originally posted by GeneV

For that dust shown, that is probably good advice, but, as has been discussed on other threads, it is not always possible. There are some kinds of dirt that will not respond to air. Never.

You are correct - I left out that the proper swabs can be used - very, very carefully - following the instructions to the letter.

auto210035 · 07-23-2010, 09:52 AM

Are sensors most perfect on other people's camera or do you just leave it alone unless it gets really bad?

In this picture here, I have one large piece of dust in the lower left corner that is very noticeable. I use the rocket blower but no matter how many times I tried, it will not disappear.

There are also other dust spot as well upon magnification.

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

GeneV · 07-23-2010, 11:26 AM

Personally, I probably wouldn't swab my sensor yet, but everyone's tolerance is different.

07-22-2010, 05:55 PM	#1
jaieger Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 586	Dirty Sensor? Hey, I've noticed recently that in my pictures, I've been getting a bit of a smudge-like defect on them. The dust alert reveals no dust particles, and the lens/filter is clean. Is this becuase of a dirty sensor? And if so, how can I clean it? (Or should I take it in to be cleaned?) Attached Images

07-22-2010, 06:52 PM	#3
jaieger Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 586 Original Poster	I retook the shot with better lighting and using the settings you recommended (F22, ISO 200). The defect looks pretty clear in this one =/ What do you guys think it is? Attached Images

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07-22-2010, 05:59 PM	#2
MPrince Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: WV Posts: 1,495	Hard to tell from that image. Best way to check is to set your aperture at f22 and take a photo of a clear blue sky (no clouds). Use a low iso and set to manual focus.

07-22-2010, 07:29 PM	#4
jaieger Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 586 Original Poster	Just did a few more dust alert checks against a white piece of paper; the in-camera dust check definitely picks up a few specks of dust approximately where they're showing up on my pictures. And even after multiple shakes from the dust removal, whatever the specks are, they aren't budging. Should I go out and buy a bulb blower? =p

07-22-2010, 07:52 PM	#5
Electric Eye Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 238	...I had the same thing in my k200d and it was in behind my focusing screen.The funny thing is that it showed up on my pics at first and then gone,but I could still see it through the viewfinder!.I just put in a new focusing screen and the problem is solved so take it from there~!

07-22-2010, 07:56 PM	#6
jaieger Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 586 Original Poster	Originally posted by Electric Eye ...I had the same thing in my k200d and it was in behind my focusing screen.The funny thing is that it showed up on my pics at first and then gone,but I could still see it through the viewfinder!.I just put in a new focusing screen and the problem is solved so take it from there~! How do I know if it's on the focusing screen or not? I just looked through the viewfinder at a white surface and see nothing there.

07-22-2010, 08:50 PM	#7
Canada_Rockies Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sparwood, BC, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,385	Originally posted by jaieger I retook the shot with better lighting and using the settings you recommended (F22, ISO 200). The defect looks pretty clear in this one =/ What do you guys think it is? It appears to be a hair or something similar. Time for the blower. Use it with the camera mount toward the floor, preferably in some humid area (lowers static electricity). I use my bathroom for the really sticky stuff like this. Lots of blowing, but make sure you don't touch the sensor - although it is actually the filter in front of it.

07-22-2010, 08:58 PM	#8
Electric Eye Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 238	Originally posted by jaieger How do I know if it's on the focusing screen or not? I just looked through the viewfinder at a white surface and see nothing there. ...I took my lens off and looked through viewfinder at a light and could see it more clearly that way.Go too Focusing Screen and there are instructions on how to remove focusing screen and you could blow out behind it.Be very careful as the screens are very fragile and mark easy.Treat it like a bar of soap as it marks almost as easy as that.

07-22-2010, 09:37 PM	#9
Canada_Rockies Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sparwood, BC, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,385	Originally posted by jaieger How do I know if it's on the focusing screen or not? I just looked through the viewfinder at a white surface and see nothing there. If you can see it in the viewfinder, it is on the focusing screen and doesn't affect the image. If you cannot see it in the viewfinder, it is on the sensor filter and affects only the image. Check your manual for how to get the mirror to lock up for cleaning (it's in the menus) and then look at the sensor with a magnifying glass. That one is large enough that you should be able to see it. Whatever you do, do not touch the sensor filter with anything. Nothing. Nada. Use a blower, not a compressed air can. The compressed air can can send propellant out if not handled properly and really foul up the innards of your camera.

07-23-2010, 12:16 AM	#10
GeneV Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Albuquerque NM Photos: Albums Posts: 9,830	Originally posted by Canada_Rockies Whatever you do, do not touch the sensor filter with anything. Nothing. Nada. For that dust shown, that is probably good advice, but, as has been discussed on other threads, it is not always possible. There are some kinds of dirt that will not respond to air. Never.

07-23-2010, 06:54 AM	#11
alohadave Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Quincy, MA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,024	Originally posted by jaieger How do I know if it's on the focusing screen or not? I just looked through the viewfinder at a white surface and see nothing there. If it were on the focusing screen, it wouldn't be in your pictures. It's a hair or fiber on the sensor.

07-23-2010, 06:58 AM	#12
alohadave Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Quincy, MA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,024	Originally posted by Canada_Rockies Whatever you do, do not touch the sensor filter with anything. Nothing. Nada. Use a blower, not a compressed air can. It is perfectly fine to clean the sensor using a swab or sensorpen. The filter is glass, and you'd need to really work at scratching it.

07-23-2010, 09:38 AM	#13
Canada_Rockies Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sparwood, BC, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,385	Originally posted by GeneV For that dust shown, that is probably good advice, but, as has been discussed on other threads, it is not always possible. There are some kinds of dirt that will not respond to air. Never. You are correct - I left out that the proper swabs can be used - very, very carefully - following the instructions to the letter.

07-23-2010, 09:52 AM	#14
auto210035 Inactive Account Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 15	Are sensors most perfect on other people's camera or do you just leave it alone unless it gets really bad? In this picture here, I have one large piece of dust in the lower left corner that is very noticeable. I use the rocket blower but no matter how many times I tried, it will not disappear. There are also other dust spot as well upon magnification. Uploaded with ImageShack.us

07-23-2010, 11:26 AM	#15
GeneV Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Albuquerque NM Photos: Albums Posts: 9,830	Personally, I probably wouldn't swab my sensor yet, but everyone's tolerance is different.

Dirty Sensor?

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