Dark spot on photos at the same location even if I change lenses - Pentax-KS2

NickTent · 10-30-2018, 07:14 AM

Hello,

I have a Pentax K-S2 camera. I was wondering if anyone has seen an issue where a dark spot is on on the same location on every photo. Please see image attached. I see this dark spot at the same location even if I change lenses.
Sunday I tried the dust removal and sensor clean up and I think It has gone now, but I have not used the camera that much since the weekend so I figure I will ask here for thoughts and advice.

Thank you,

Nick

Attached Images

Docrwm · 10-30-2018, 07:19 AM

Dirt on the sensor is the most likely culprit.

victormeldrew · 10-30-2018, 07:21 AM

Dust bunny. Clean the sensor.

**MossyRocks** · 10-30-2018, 07:22 AM

Dirt or a dried water spot on the sensor would be my guess. That happened to me one time when, I without thinking, changed lenses when in live view while taking pictures of a waterfall.

Last edited by MossyRocks; 10-30-2018 at 07:23 AM. Reason: typos

**marcusBMG** · 10-30-2018, 07:39 AM

Your rocket blower is your friend!
(use sensor clean function to raise the mirror)

**pepperberry farm** · 10-30-2018, 07:46 AM

get the camera and shoot some more, see if you've managed to clear it...

**jatrax** · 10-30-2018, 08:08 AM - **3 Likes**

To test for dust spots go outside and shoot a clear blue sky with an aperture setting of f/16 or f/22. This will show any / all dust spots quickly.

DeadJohn · 10-30-2018, 10:41 AM

Originally posted by NickTent

...I tried the dust removal and sensor clean up and I think It has gone now...

Fuzzy spots like that are almost always dust on the sensor. Dust on a lens will be blurred so much that you'll rarely notice it.

Some dust spots can be stubborn. Buy a "rocket blower" for such occasions. Never use canned air, air compressor, or your breath to try cleaning a sensor; too much risk of adding liquid spots that are much tougher to remove.

Paul the Sunman · 10-30-2018, 01:47 PM - **1 Like**

AND DON'T USE A LENS CLEANING BRUSH! You will damage the sensor.

There is a variety of sensor cleaning kits (e.g. Pentax O-ICK1) available if the rocket blower doesn't work. Or you can get it done professionally (not cheap).

**Des** · 10-30-2018, 02:08 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by NickTent

Sunday I tried the dust removal and sensor clean up and I think It has gone now

I assume you mean the Dust Removal setting (settings menu 4). That's the clunk you get when you start up or shut down the camera. Worth leaving it on so it operates each time.

But remember that the dust bunny will still be floating around in the mirror box, so sooner or later it will probably be back on the sensor. As people have said, you should definitely get a rocket blower like this: https://www.amazon.com/Giottos-AA1900-Rocket-Blaster-Large/dp/B00017LSPI?tag=pentaxforums-20& To use it, you use the Sensor Cleaning in setting menu 4. The procedure is described in the camera's manual at p.120. You should do this as soon as you detect a spot on the sensor because over time dust motes tend to stick to the sensor due to moisture in the air.

Most of the time that works. If it doesn't you need to use a gel stick like the one Paul mentioned or wet cleaning (with specially designed swabs and solution). Those procedures require care because you can scratch the coating on the sensor. Lots of threads about how to do this.

10-30-2018, 07:14 AM	#1
NickTent Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 46	Dark spot on photos at the same location even if I change lenses - Pentax-KS2 Hello, I have a Pentax K-S2 camera. I was wondering if anyone has seen an issue where a dark spot is on on the same location on every photo. Please see image attached. I see this dark spot at the same location even if I change lenses. Sunday I tried the dust removal and sensor clean up and I think It has gone now, but I have not used the camera that much since the weekend so I figure I will ask here for thoughts and advice. Thank you, Nick Attached Images

10-30-2018, 02:08 PM - 1 Like	#10
Des Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Victoria Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 6,423	Originally posted by NickTent Sunday I tried the dust removal and sensor clean up and I think It has gone now I assume you mean the Dust Removal setting (settings menu 4). That's the clunk you get when you start up or shut down the camera. Worth leaving it on so it operates each time. But remember that the dust bunny will still be floating around in the mirror box, so sooner or later it will probably be back on the sensor. As people have said, you should definitely get a rocket blower like this: https://www.amazon.com/Giottos-AA1900-Rocket-Blaster-Large/dp/B00017LSPI?tag=pentaxforums-20& To use it, you use the Sensor Cleaning in setting menu 4. The procedure is described in the camera's manual at p.120. You should do this as soon as you detect a spot on the sensor because over time dust motes tend to stick to the sensor due to moisture in the air. Most of the time that works. If it doesn't you need to use a gel stick like the one Paul mentioned or wet cleaning (with specially designed swabs and solution). Those procedures require care because you can scratch the coating on the sensor. Lots of threads about how to do this. Last edited by Des; 10-30-2018 at 06:47 PM.

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10-30-2018, 07:19 AM	#2
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	Dirt on the sensor is the most likely culprit.

10-30-2018, 07:21 AM	#3
victormeldrew Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: South West UK Photos: Albums Posts: 1,493	Dust bunny. Clean the sensor.

10-30-2018, 07:22 AM	#4
MossyRocks Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Minnesota Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,982	Dirt or a dried water spot on the sensor would be my guess. That happened to me one time when, I without thinking, changed lenses when in live view while taking pictures of a waterfall. Last edited by MossyRocks; 10-30-2018 at 07:23 AM. Reason: typos

10-30-2018, 07:39 AM	#5
marcusBMG Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: North Wales Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,869	Your rocket blower is your friend! (use sensor clean function to raise the mirror)

10-30-2018, 07:46 AM	#6
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,676	get the camera and shoot some more, see if you've managed to clear it...

10-30-2018, 08:08 AM - 3 Likes	#7
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	To test for dust spots go outside and shoot a clear blue sky with an aperture setting of f/16 or f/22. This will show any / all dust spots quickly.

10-30-2018, 10:41 AM	#8
DeadJohn Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: New York Posts: 4,833	Originally posted by NickTent ...I tried the dust removal and sensor clean up and I think It has gone now... Fuzzy spots like that are almost always dust on the sensor. Dust on a lens will be blurred so much that you'll rarely notice it. Some dust spots can be stubborn. Buy a "rocket blower" for such occasions. Never use canned air, air compressor, or your breath to try cleaning a sensor; too much risk of adding liquid spots that are much tougher to remove.

10-30-2018, 01:47 PM - 1 Like	#9
Paul the Sunman Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,843	AND DON'T USE A LENS CLEANING BRUSH! You will damage the sensor. There is a variety of sensor cleaning kits (e.g. Pentax O-ICK1) available if the rocket blower doesn't work. Or you can get it done professionally (not cheap).