SPOTS !!! SPOTS !!! please help

cowgirl44 · Oct 9, 2007

Please can someone help me with this problem and steer me in the right direction ??

How Can I fix all the spots that keep showing up on my photos. I just bought my first expensive entry level Canon 30D. Brand new and after just 3 monthes I had to take it in and get a pro to clean the dust and spots off the glass inside (name ?)I have NEVER taken the lens off (17-85 w/IS) since the day I bought it ! I have not shot in a lot of dust.

He also sold me a cleaning kit with some kind of alcohol , a brush and a battery operated twirly thing ( $200 later...is that a lot ?? ) ...which I refuse to use unless I am told this is a normal thing with a brand new camera and something I need to do on a monthly basis

So the pro , he cleaned it all up for me ....and bammo 2 weeks later the !@#@!$ Spots are back....They have ruined two paid for photo shoots and now I have to go into PS and grunt out the Spots ! This is so frustrating !!

Why should my Brand new camera ,which I have only one lens for , be getting all these spots....and I NEVER take the lens off nor do I shoot in dusty places ? !!

PLease help...
Should I take this Camera back and demand a refund ??

Thanks In advance for any helpful info !!

PS...I have sample pics to show if anyone can tell me where to post them or how to on this forum ....

vander · Oct 9, 2007

Hmm. First off, getting the sensor cleaned is something that I've only had to do a couple of times over 3 years and I've changed lens quite a bit out in the field. Yes, I still do some photoshop edits to sensor noise if needs too but unless I'm shooting above f14 at a bright sky, I rarely pick them up or see them.

$200 for a sensor cleaning kit is pretty expensive if you ask me. Quite a bit more expensive.

My only ideas as to how the dust is getting into your camera is either you are shooting a lot or Rodeo shots out west or the constant zooming of your lens is sucking dust into the camera.

Are you in a really dusty place??

Do you typically shoot at smaller aperatures?

You shouldn't be having all these problems.

--
Check out my photo galleries !!
http://www.vandervalk.ca
http://www.vandervalk.ca/yukon
http://www.vandervalk.ca/usa

And when I stop being lazy, I'll actually put them onto my main website gallery and not have 3 seperate galleries.

Hugowolf · Oct 9, 2007

cowgirl44 said:
How Can I fix all the spots that keep showing up on my photos. I just
bought my first expensive entry level Canon 30D.

A little better than entry level I would have thought.

cowgirl44 said:
Why should my Brand new camera ,which I have only one lens for , be
getting all these spots....and I NEVER take the lens off nor do I
shoot in dusty places ? !!

It could easily get dust on the sensor before you open the box, newness doesn’t prevent dust.

cowgirl44 said:
PLease help...
Should I take this Camera back and demand a refund ??

You will get dust with any dSLR, and although some are now coming out with dust removal systems, the sensor still needs cleaning by hand once in a while. Dust removal isn't that difficult.

They shouldn't be that visible in at normal apertures. As Vander asks, are you shooting at very small apertures for some reason?

cowgirl44 said:
Thanks In advance for any helpful info !!
PS...I have sample pics to show if anyone can tell me where to post
them or how to on this forum ....

To post images you would need an account with an online photo database, such as PBase or Flikr. There are free trial accounts at PBase. You get an account, upload you images, then embed the image URL in your post.

Brian A.

cowgirl44 · Oct 9, 2007

Thanks for posting

I dont shoot in the DUST .....I really want to take care of my camera as I dont have a lot of money to spend on Equip. so I stay out of the dust and run like hell for cover if I see it coming....however this does not mean that being outside you cannot totally get away from the small floating particles you cannot see....

I like to shoot in TV so the camera pics the AP for me ....however I do like to shoot in Av on occasion so I like the blown out background and will shoot at 4.0 or 5.0

As far as posting ...thats too much work for me as Im not too good with the computer.
I can email them directly to anyone who is interested ??

I have before and after pics (after the cleaning) ...

Thanks Again for your comments they are ALL appreciated !!

Deleted1929 · Oct 10, 2007

Some samples might help people work out your problem.

Although you can get dust even if you do not change the lens you are certainly getting a lot by the sounds of it. Dust can come from wear on components inside the camera body. It's possible there could be an issue with a component inside the camera ( a faulty camera, basically ).

Still, some examples would help.

--
StephenG

Pentax K100D
Fuji S5200
Fuji E900
PCLinuxOS

devnull · Oct 10, 2007

cowgirl44 said:
Please can someone help me with this problem and steer me in the
right direction ??

Let's try

cowgirl44 said:
How Can I fix all the spots that keep showing up on my photos. I just
bought my first expensive entry level Canon 30D. Brand new and after
just 3 monthes I had to take it in and get a pro to clean the dust
and spots off the glass inside (name ?)I have NEVER taken the lens
off (17-85 w/IS) since the day I bought it ! I have not shot in a lot
of dust.

Ok.

cowgirl44 said:
He also sold me a cleaning kit with some kind of alcohol , a brush
and a battery operated twirly thing ( $200 later...is that a lot ?? )

Depends. It IS a lot, however, if you have zero experience and you are not willing to learn how to clean the camera, it might be what you need.

cowgirl44 said:
...which I refuse to use unless I am told this is a normal thing with
a brand new camera and something I need to do on a monthly basis

It is normal to get dust. Every now and then you'll get oily particles, as well, with a new camera. Just clean the thing.

However, once a month is a bit too often. It depends a lot on your habits. Some people manage to get dirt into anything, and there is no explanation. Your lens also acts as an air pump. Don't worry, shoot in whatever conditions you need to, and clean the camera every now and then.

cowgirl44 said:
So the pro , he cleaned it all up for me ....and bammo 2 weeks later
the !@#@!$ Spots are back....They have ruined two paid for photo
shoots and now I have to go into PS and grunt out the Spots ! This is
so frustrating !!

Oh. So, you are doing paid photo shoots and don't know how to clean your sensor...

Advice 1: LEARN TO CLEAN YOUR TOOLS. Find somebody who knows what (s)he's doing and learn to clean your tools. I am serious.

Advice 2: EACH TIME before an important shoot check and, if necessary, clean your tools. Sensor, camera obscura, lens, filters, hoods, whatever.

cowgirl44 said:
Why should my Brand new camera ,which I have only one lens for , be
getting all these spots....and I NEVER take the lens off nor do I
shoot in dusty places ? !!

Because we live in a dusty environment and because your sensor gets electrically charged and attracts dust. Ever noticed how your tv screen is more dusty than other vertical surfaces in your home? There it is. Clean it.

However, getting spots every 2-4 weeks is a bit much. I'd try and discover what's the source of the dust.

cowgirl44 said:
PLease help...
Should I take this Camera back and demand a refund ??

Not for this reason.

cowgirl44 said:
Thanks In advance for any helpful info !!

Ok, you might want to google "petteri how to brush your sensor". You'll see what I meant about your cleaning kit being expensive.

chuxter · Oct 10, 2007

cowgirl44 said:
Please can someone help me with this problem and steer me in the
right direction ??

I'm gonna take a different tack than the others...who gave good advice.

cowgirl44 said:
How Can I fix all the spots that keep showing up on my photos.

You REALLY should show us the pix with the "spots"! I'd strongly advise you to invest the time to learn how to upload pix to one of the free services and then to add a link to those pix in this forum. It's really hard for us to give good advice w/o seeing the "spots". For example, are the spots black or white? Are the spots always in the same place? Do ALL the pix have spots? Are you using flash? Go ahead and send me a representative pic w/ spots via e-mail. I'll post it for you. My e-mail address is in my profile (click on "chuxter")...

cowgirl44 said:
I just
bought my first expensive entry level Canon 30D. Brand new and after
just 3 monthes I had to take it in and get a pro to clean the dust
and spots off the glass inside (name ?)I have NEVER taken the lens
off (17-85 w/IS) since the day I bought it ! I have not shot in a lot
of dust.

cowgirl44 said:
He also sold me a cleaning kit with some kind of alcohol , a brush
and a battery operated twirly thing ( $200 later...is that a lot ?? )

Yes, it's a LOT.

cowgirl44 said:
...which I refuse to use unless I am told this is a normal thing with
a brand new camera and something I need to do on a monthly basis
So the pro , he cleaned it all up for me ....and bammo 2 weeks later
the !@#@!$ Spots are back....They have ruined two paid for photo
shoots and now I have to go into PS and grunt out the Spots ! This is
so frustrating !!

Describe the setting for those 2 photo shoots.

cowgirl44 said:
Why should my Brand new camera ,which I have only one lens for , be
getting all these spots....and I NEVER take the lens off nor do I
shoot in dusty places ? !!

We don't know yet...

cowgirl44 said:
PLease help...
Should I take this Camera back and demand a refund ??

I think you should take the cleaning kit back. ;-)

--
Charlie Davis
Nikon 5700 & Sony R1
HomePage: http://www.1derful.info
Bridge Blog: http://www.here-ugo.com/BridgeBlog/

GodSpeaks · Oct 10, 2007

You are getting dust that seems way above average. So...

How do you store your camera between shoots? Do you store it with the lens on or off the camera? And where is the camera when stored?

--

The greatest of mankind's criminals are those who delude themselves into thinking they have done 'the right thing.'

Rayna Butler

Stan_P · Oct 10, 2007

Microscopic dust could be created inside camera too, because of mooving parts (mirror). (in addition to external dust while exchanging lenses that I do very often)

I was cleaning my DSLR multiple times. Most of time simple bulb air blower takes care of dust. However 3-4 times in 2 year period dust was so stubborn that required "wet" cleaning.

I went to camera store explained my problem, bought sensor cleaning liquid and special pads. Workes like a magic. (my camera has sensor cleaning mode when it locks the mirror)

P.S. At certain lighting/exposure settings dust that you see in image could be on lens surface or filter. Clean them too with dedicated liquid/microfiber fabrique purchased from photo-store.

--
http://www.stan-pustylnik.smugmug.com

iMac therefore iAm · Oct 10, 2007

cowgirl44 said:
He also sold me a cleaning kit with some kind of alcohol , a brush
and a battery operated twirly thing ( $200 later...is that a lot ?? )

Yep... worst case scenario would have been selling you a 12 pack of Sensor Swabs (about $45) and a bottle of eclipse fluid ($8-$12). You should have gotten it for less than $60... and even that's high because you don't need the $4.00-a-piece sensor swabs - you can make your own and use pec pads ($7 for 100). The battery operated twirly thing is totally un-needed.

Stan_P · Oct 10, 2007

For salesmen who push novice photographer for "brush and a battery operated twirly thing ( $200) is an excellent 30 days return policy that requires seller to except return....

I would spend these $200 for Sing-Ray Blue Gold Polarizing filter instead, or 50mm f/1.8 lens...
--
http://www.stan-pustylnik.smugmug.com

Ed Halley · Oct 10, 2007

Stan_P said:
For salesmen who push novice photographer for "brush and a battery
operated twirly thing ( $200) is an excellent 30 days return policy
that requires seller to [accept] return....

I would spend these $200 for Sing-Ray Blue Gold Polarizing filter
instead, or 50mm f/1.8 lens...

There's a far higher retail profit margin on the twirly thing, especially selling to a photographer who clearly does not want an interchangeable lens. I think he picked the best sale to make in the circumstances.

It's perfectly fine to want to stick to one lens if that lens covers your needs. But it's not a sealed point-and-shoot, it's a piece of equipment that needs maintenance. If you're going to go on "paid shoots," then realize that the first thing a professional (in any profession) needs to know: take care of your tools.

--
[ e d @ h a l l e y . c c ] http://www.halley.cc/pix/

Ed Halley · Oct 10, 2007

Stan_P said:
I was cleaning my DSLR multiple times. Most of time simple bulb air
blower takes care of dust. However 3-4 times in 2 year period dust
was so stubborn that required "wet" cleaning.

I went to camera store explained my problem, bought sensor cleaning
liquid and special pads. Workes like a magic. (my camera has sensor
cleaning mode when it locks the mirror)

Not trying to reply to JUST your threads, but you keep bringing up good points.

I wanted to say, though, that after several DSLR years of shooting, I've never yet had a spot on the sensor that wouldn't just brush away with a gently-applied cotton swab and humid non-spittle breath. Takes two minutes, maybe twice that if I review another f/22 wall test and found I missed a spec. Some people scream "you could scratch it!" but I'm not muscling in with the swab at all.

--
[ e d @ h a l l e y . c c ] http://www.halley.cc/pix/

iMac therefore iAm · Oct 10, 2007

Ed Halley said:
Some people scream "you could
scratch it!" but I'm not muscling in with the swab at all.

Speaking as someone who scratched the living daylights out of a focus screen with a cotton swab, no way am I putting one anywhere near the sensor!

Michael Fryd · Oct 10, 2007

cowgirl44 said:
Please can someone help me with this problem and steer me in the
right direction ??

How Can I fix all the spots that keep showing up on my photos. I just
bought my first expensive entry level Canon 30D. Brand new and after
just 3 monthes I had to take it in and get a pro to clean the dust
and spots off the glass inside (name ?)I have NEVER taken the lens
off (17-85 w/IS) since the day I bought it ! I have not shot in a lot
of dust.

It depends on what sort of spots you are getting. Dust spots on the sensor are typically only noticeable at high small apertures (high f numbers). Without seeing the spots, or knowing what f-stop you shot them at, we can only guess.

cowgirl44 said:
He also sold me a cleaning kit with some kind of alcohol , a brush
and a battery operated twirly thing ( $200 later...is that a lot ?? )

It depends on what you got for your $200.

If all you got was a blower bulb (which can handle many dust problem), yes you overpaid. Blower bulbs usually sell for under $20.

Other items you may have been sold:

An anti static brush (or brushes) with a motorized spinner to shed dust and statically charge the brush.

A wet cleaning kit - Possibly a custom cut spatula, lint free wipes, and cleaning fluid (proper fluid varies by camera).

A rich person's wet cleaning kit - custom molder spatula, with a lint free cloth pre-attached (FYI: Nikon service uses a lint free cloth wrapped around a wooden chop stick).

A custom lighted viewer so you can see the dust particles on your sensor and will know where to clean.

If you received all of the above, $200 is probably a good price.

In general you should use the least invasive cleaning technique that gets off your dust. Start with a blower, than the brush, and then the wet method.

Don't try anything you are uncomfortable with that might void your warranty.

cowgirl44 said:
...which I refuse to use unless I am told this is a normal thing with
a brand new camera and something I need to do on a monthly basis
So the pro , he cleaned it all up for me ....and bammo 2 weeks later
the !@#@!$ Spots are back....They have ruined two paid for photo
shoots and now I have to go into PS and grunt out the Spots ! This is
so frustrating !!

Where do you shoot? The beach, the desert, an air conditioned studio? 2 weeks might be normal, it might not be. We need context.

cowgirl44 said:
Why should my Brand new camera ,which I have only one lens for , be
getting all these spots....and I NEVER take the lens off nor do I
shoot in dusty places ? !!

PLease help...
Should I take this Camera back and demand a refund ??

If you are really unhappy, you should trade in the camera for a new one with automated dust removal. Both the Canon 40D, and the Rebel XTI have an automated system to shake dust off the sensor, and software to map out any dust that remains. Both will give you image quality as good (if not better) that the 30D.

cowgirl44 said:
Thanks In advance for any helpful info !!
PS...I have sample pics to show if anyone can tell me where to post
them or how to on this forum ....

Duwane Huffaker · Oct 10, 2007

http://www.cleaningdigitalcameras.com/

The above site has good information on DSLR sensor cleaning. I use a digiklear or sensorklear tool from lenspen.com. I don't agree with the steps the above web site suggests for using a lenspen tool. I just use the tool on the sensor. Using my method you must be very careful! Keep in mind lenspen tools don't work if the sensor has fluid or lubricants on it.
--
thezero

cowgirl44 · Oct 12, 2007

Thanks to all who helped me with my spots problem .....here are a few answers to some of your quiries..

1. I have sent the pics to Chuxter he will review or post them here and you all can see the hugeness of this problem.

2. I store my camera in a Canon Lowepro bag with pading and the lens on and a cloth covering the LCD screen and its zippered up and the cap is on too.

3. I clean my filter before every shoot with a special non-scratching cloth

4. I shoot mostly in TV so the camera chooses the ap for me.

5. I have not cleaned it myself yet because I wanted to see if the spots came back after the first initial cleaning of my brand new 30D in August.

6. I have every intention of cleaning my camera as soon as I find out the answers to the questions and make sure that this is not an on going major problem.

And from the info that I am receiving on this site and from the other "HORSE " and RODEO photographers on other sites I am realising that I may have a major ,for lack of better word , LEAK in my cameras system.

So , if it is infact major perhaps I can get a full refund on my 30D or receive a new one that does not give me this much grief !

Thanks for listening !!

Michael Fryd · Oct 12, 2007

cowgirl44 said:
Thanks to all who helped me with my spots problem .....here are a few
answers to some of your quiries..

1. I have sent the pics to Chuxter he will review or post them here
and you all can see the hugeness of this problem.

We await the images

cowgirl44 said:
2. I store my camera in a Canon Lowepro bag with pading and the lens
on and a cloth covering the LCD screen and its zippered up and the
cap is on too.

How you store the camera shouldn't make much of a difference. As long as the camera is stored with a lens or body cap attached.

cowgirl44 said:
3. I clean my filter before every shoot with a special non-scratching
cloth

Dust on the filter or lens shouldn't be readily noticeable on the image.

cowgirl44 said:
4. I shoot mostly in TV so the camera chooses the ap for me.

It's not important who chooses the aperture, it's important which aperture was chosen. If you didn't notice when you took the picture, it will be in the EXIF information stored in the JPEG file. There are many programs which will allow you examine the EXIF information, including Photo Mechanic and Photoshop

Things which would suggest that your problem is dust on the sensor:

Specs which show up at small apertures (high numbers), but not at big apertures (small numbers)
Specs which show up in the same place on every frame

cowgirl44 said:
5. I have not cleaned it myself yet because I wanted to see if the
spots came back after the first initial cleaning of my brand new 30D
in August.

Canon's manuals typically instruct you to use a small hand blower to get dust off the sensor. They recommend you send the camera for servicing for anything the blower doesn't remove.

cowgirl44 said:
6. I have every intention of cleaning my camera as soon as I find out
the answers to the questions and make sure that this is not an on
going major problem.
And from the info that I am receiving on this site and from the other
"HORSE " and RODEO photographers on other sites I am realising that I
may have a major ,for lack of better word , LEAK in my cameras system.

So , if it is infact major perhaps I can get a full refund on my 30D
or receive a new one that does not give me this much grief !

Thanks for listening !!

If your camera has a lot of dust in it, then someone should use a small hand blower to get the dust out of the camera, and then clean the sensor.

If the dust returns, you may want to check your lenses. Are the lenses new or used? Have they been used in dusty environments? If the lenses are dumping dust into the camera, you may need to get your lenses cleaned.

You can always sell the 30D and buy a 40D. The 40D has a built in mechanism to shake most dust off the sensor. it also has stick tape to trap dust floating around in the camera. it also has a function to map out the remaining dust, so it can be automatically removed in post processing.

chuxter · Oct 12, 2007

Here are the images that Krista sent me:

There was no EXIF data that I could find.

The first pic is big (full size, I think), but has been saved as a low quality JPEG. There are a lot of compression artifacts. I think she was trying to make the file size low.

It looks as though dust is getting in somewhere. Looks pretty bad!

--
Charlie Davis
Nikon 5700 & Sony R1
HomePage: http://www.1derful.info
Bridge Blog: http://www.here-ugo.com/BridgeBlog/

Hugowolf · Oct 12, 2007

It is all pretty meaningless without EXIF data. I have never seen as many dust spots, if that is what they are, covering that amount of sensor. These image fragments really don't allow any analysis.

A "professional" photographer that know nothing about aperture? The thread is starting to get more than a little silly.

Brian A.

SPOTS !!! SPOTS !!! please help

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