HELP!

OK so i ran into my 1st real issue with my a77. i bought the Tamron 70-300mm Di USD XLD lens, the one with the $100 off rebate.

I put the lens in and started to snap pictures, then i noticed the "spot". I didn't panic too much as i'm aware that when spots show up on pictures, it means the sensor or lens is dirty. Now with the a77 being a SLT, i assumed it was the lens, after cleaning it with a micro fiber cloth and LensPen, the spot didn't go away

So i figured ok, its something internal with the lens, someone screwed up, no biggie, i will get it replaced.... I pop back on my kit lens and BAMN, the spot is still there

Now i got into a panic, WHY is the sensor dirty, i've had it for 27 days and never removed the lens once. When i swapped these lens i did it (what i thought) OVER carefully. (Pointed camera down, unscrewed lens, placed cap on open end side of lens, popped on Tamron, and started shooting).

ok ok.. so do the self cleaning mode on the camera (following sony manual). Vibrates, i turn off camera... SPOT LIVES! So here is where i start to get really upset and nervous. So now i remove the kit lens, exposing the Translucent mirror,i take that rocket air thing and give it a blast or two.. then i flip up the mirror and give the sensor a shot or two of air.

Hook everything up... F#8cking Spot still there!! I asked my other photographer friend to assist, and he said i did everything he would have done. He said he has never still had a spot after all that. However he said he is a Cannon guy and not familiar with sony's SLT technology.

As a precaution i have the camera set to be return on monday, so i have all weekend to fix this. Any suggestions? Am i forgetting a step? Could adding the Tamron lens really screw up my camera??

I'm upset because its out of stock at the website i bought it from so they will issue me a refund. I know alot of places are low to no stock and i really dont want to leave in June without my a77 :'( But i also dont want to have to send this away to Sony warranty if its already malfunctioning within 30 days

Hey, Nervous Nellie... if you're going to own an interchangeable lens camera, you're going to have to clean the sensor and/or mirror once in a while. Got google?

so i did this white test i saw online...
I have no idea how this was produced, perhaps someone could explain to me..





here i see spots





here i dont

Okay, here's a little help...

Don't bother doing that test at f/2.8. Always check it at a small aperture, like f/22.

It's very likely that you can see the dust spot itself on the SLT mirror or the sensor, so get some good light and look for it. And remember that the image is inverted when it hits the sensor... so because the spot is in the lower right corner of the image, look for the dust particle in the upper left corner of the mirror or sensor.

sybersitizen said:

Hey, Nervous Nellie... if you're going to own an interchangeable lens camera, you're going to have to clean the sensor and/or mirror once in a while. Got google?

Click to expand...

hey come on, i'm a google champ, and the problem with googling is "everyone" is an expert. I ran across people using the Eclipse cleaning fluid, but Gary friedman's book says "Dont do that!..."

sybersitizen said:

Okay, here's a little help...

And remember that the image is inverted when it hits the sensor... so because the spot is in the lower right corner of the image, look for the dust particle in the upper left corner of the mirror or sensor.

Click to expand...

thanks, i was debating about that. going to give it another round of air blast. I found 1 video on the original gen slt, and the guy when to town with the blower, i was much more gentler with it

seriously, it's not a big deal. dust gets on the sensor all the time. i'd be surprised if a brand new camera doesn't have the tiniest speck of dust on it right out of the box.

First, get a rocket blower and blow the dust away. (read the sony manual to flip the translucent mirror out of the way first). If that don't work, search for sensor swab and an instructional video on how to clean your sensor with it.

every time you see a spot? If you can't learn to clean the sensor yourself, then pay someone to do it, or don't use a SLR. There are many pseudo-SLR cameras out there that should fit your abilities, or lack thereof.

You stated that you never took the lens off in 27 days, but you had to have put on the lens, as I don't believe the kit lens comes attached to the body. And, you had to have the lens off to put on the Tamron 70-300. It doesn't take long for dust to get on the sensor.

some of yall need to get out more and interact with people..

Yes, i am generally concern that my 1st run in with Dust has Vested me but i'm not sitting here crying, punching my son in the face or burning my playboy collection as a source for alternative fuel while i wait for this to pass over..

I'm not trying to be some stupid red neck forcing my way through destroying a $2000 camera because i'm too good to ask for help.

cyainparadise said:

"The Spot Lives!"

Click to expand...

kinda like an unholy monster that wont die... yeah i'm 31 and believe in the boggy man.

I freaked out too the first time I had a dirty sensor. A camera is a significant investment and the idea of messing around with the sensor can be unsettling. After you do a number of times hte mystery and anxiety goes away.

The easiest way is to do clean the sensor yourself with a swab and whatever fluid is appropriate for your camera. Google it or do a search on Youtube and you will find lots of help and instructions.

If you are still uneasy about it most local camera stores will do it for you. My local store offers the service for $50.00

Harry
--
http://behret.smugmug.com

'if you ain't having fun, you ain't doing it right'

So far, the response by sye46 is the best IMO. I cleaned my A-100 sensor about 20 time over four years. The Rocket blower does an admiral job. You don't want to be gentle, but try not to hit the sensor with the end of the blower ;-)

I now have the A-77, but haven't cleaned it yet. I do have a couple of spots when stopping down a lot (maybe f13 or smaller). But, when shooting at f4 - f8, they are not visible (at least to me). I just clone them out in post processing if I see one. Once they get to be a problem, I'll try cleaning the sensor - just following the instructions. Hang in there. You'll solve the problem. Sensor cleaning is a fact of life with a DSLR.
--
AEH
http://aehass.zenfolio.com/
http://aehass.zenfolio.com/blog
Question: What do you do all week?
Answer: Mon to Fri. Nothing, Sat & Sun I rest!

sye46 said:

seriously, it's not a big deal. dust gets on the sensor all the time. i'd be surprised if a brand new camera doesn't have the tiniest speck of dust on it right out of the box.

First, get a rocket blower and blow the dust away. (read the sony manual to flip the translucent mirror out of the way first). If that don't work, search for sensor swab and an instructional video on how to clean your sensor with it.

Click to expand...

Follow-up.

Make sure you aren't shy with the rocket blower, it's ok to squeeze it hard for stronger wind to blow the dust off.

if that don't work, try the sensor swab. I've used this method before on my A700 and A850 and it works. But it's really hard to have a perfectly clean sensor. Sometimes, you just have to accept it. I'm sure there are other "wet" methods out there, but this is what I used.

http://www.amazon.com/Sensor-Swab-Type-Box-12/dp/B000BDCE1Y/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1335571945&sr=8-2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67vLGotCFd0&noredirect=1

I have dust on sensor all the time, that's why I always have a cleaning kit handy. You can go into any camera store ask for sensor cleaning kit, they usually run from $20-40 depending on brands. After few trials it's becoming part of your DSLR(SLT) matainance routine (along with lens cleaning, etc.).

I've got spots on my month old A77 that I tried blowing off with my rocket blower. Now they look like they may be oil spots. Since they shifted and it looks like they slid over a little.
Any way to clean these without buying those special cleaning swabs?

Owen

I am with you, the idea of cleaning the sensor originally filled me with terror. Unfortunately the Internet is full of horror stories on sensor cleaning.

When you use a small aperture, if there is any dust on the sensor it will show up. Unfortunately small bits of plastic and items used in the manufacture of the camera can dislodge themselves and get on the sensor. I had a virtually microscopic blob of plastic from within the camera and it refused to budge. I thought it was inside the lens, and look that apart (that was a fun 1hour trying to put it back together, not thinking that no of my other lens go down to f32.

I have cleaned a number of SLR’s over the years with swabs and if you prepare well, in a well lit, dust free area and take it slow there should be no problem.

Make sure you get a few APS-C size swabs, just in case you need to repeat the procedure. Smaller swabs are prone to leave a nice line where it has not quite met the edge of the sensor.

Eclipse – I have used it on the sensor, but mainly to clean off the ‘water marks’ left by the eclipse I had used the first time. Use sparingly, putting drops on the tip will over wet the swab. Some sources advise letting the bottle tip touch the swab to transfer the liquid to avoid over wetting

Make sure you lift the transparent mirror up carefully, do not let it fly open and control where you finger is going when inside the body so it does not collide with the mirror layer.

Use the internet to have a look at the different methods of cleaning the sensor and decide which method is most suited to you needs.
OR

How often are you going to shoot with such a small aperture? Most modern Photo software has the facilities to remove dust specks and removes the need to clean the sensor. I could not live with this (probably OCD on my part), so am pretty good at cleaning cameras now.

Looks like the gentle thing was the issue, like a prom night special, i blew her real hard and she liked it

Those spots are no longer there and everything is good (except for the fact i now have no more playboys..... and my son hates me)

a BIG old thanks to those that worked "with me" through my 1st time.

I guess what doesn't make sense to me is that "yeah i put the lens on when i got the camera 27 days ago" but i haven't taken it off since i put it on, so i was wondering how dust was getting in (like honestly, do i have a crack and its not sealed)? However it could have snuck in and just hung around, perhaps it finally got knocked into play today hence why it showed up.

Yes, i did get nervous, and do i feel stupid, Nooo. I remember the 1st time i got to 1st base and how stupid i acted ( i miss my grandma ). Do i regret it, heck no, made me who i am today.

Again i truly appreciate the "positive" feed back i have been getting these past 4 weeks as i grow with this technology. I will ask the occasional dumb question, but i promise i will be very entertaining when i do it

If this is to be your response to dust, return the camera, buy a camera with a fixed lens that cannot be removed, and be happy. You will never have to deal with dust again.

If you own an SLR/SLT you will have dust. ONE dust spot I wouldn't even both with, just fix it in post when it is noticeable. When there get to be an annoying number you clean the sensor. Do some googling, it isn't a difficult process. Learn to do it, you'll do it a couple times a year. Problem solved.

--
http://tandaina.smugmug.com/

LoL ! Thats dust on the sensor?? You should see mine. I was very bothered by that also ... but in time you get used to it.It's part of the photography .So take a blower and blow it from time to time or use wet and dry swabs. Dont worry ,if you got nice pictures , nobody will notice the spots not eaven you.

I use a Rocket blower first and if that don't work I use one of these.



Called a Sensor Pen. Works great. Used it on an a100, a200. Just bought my a65 yesterday. Will use it on it when needed.
-
Tim

My Gallery - http://www.pbase.com/zippyzx3

ZippyZX3 said:

Called a Sensor Pen. Works great.

Click to expand...

Thanks, just adding it to my "to buy" list. The Rocket Air worked the 2nd time around, just needed to give it a little more. I didn't bother googling as i figured it was self explanatory but apparently i wasn't giving it enough forced air.

One interesting feature about the Rocket Air, how come there isn't a filter at either end?? Surely if dust can "float" onto the sensor while changes lens, what prevents it from being RAMMED up in there? At least with a filter, particles could be prevented from going into the chamber of the rocket air.

I took a quick trip to the local Ritz and they gave me the we wouldn't "recommend" users cleaning their own equipment, here pay us, we will ship it out, take a week or two and you can have your camera back.. WTF?!?! I'm a rook but not a "user"!

I was also trying to find out if there is a "liquid" solution to cleaning the sensor and it was like asking "should i buy a filter for my camera lens??" After 45 mins of fighting, and 3 nuns converting to Islam, i determined that it be better suited ti stick with the Rocket Air...