Sensor cleaning question

shoutinhalls · Mar 1, 2016

Greetings all!

I am a very new photographer and think I may have gotten something on my sensor. I called a local place that cleans them but they gave me contradicting information:

First he said that the spots in my photos should not change size regardless of the zoom on the lens, then he said that it could change when I was just going to try and clean the lens again.

I am just trying to find out if the spots could be on the sensor and not the lens, even though they change size when zoomed in or out. Want to get that cleared up before spending $50 on something that may not resolve the issue, I already have checked the lens and see nothing wrong on either side.

These are two photos where you can see the difference of the spot in the top right corner

thanks!

PhotoESQ · Mar 1, 2016

shoutinhalls said:
Greetings all!

I am a very new photographer and think I may have gotten something on my sensor. I called a local place that cleans them but they gave me contradicting information:

First he said that the spots in my photos should not change size regardless of the zoom on the lens, then he said that it could change when I was just going to try and clean the lens again.

I am just trying to find out if the spots could be on the sensor and not the lens, even though they change size when zoomed in or out. Want to get that cleared up before spending $50 on something that may not resolve the issue, I already have checked the lens and see nothing wrong on either side.

These are two photos where you can see the difference of the spot in the top right corner

thanks!

Definitely looks like something on the sensor. It can look different depending on the F-stop. The second photo renders the dust/oil/speck whatever clearer since it is shot at a smaller aperture

Do you have another lens you can test on? That would clear the question up. Alternatively, you could look into cleaning the sensor yourself. It's very easy to do. You can purchase a rocket blower and a sensor brush for relatively cheap. This will clean most dust or other physical debris.

If neither of those does the trick, then you can decide if you want to purchase sensor swabs and cleaning solution (which can be a bit expensive) or pay to have the sensor cleaned. $50 bucks isn't bad... but if you pay for the swabs and solution, you'll probably pay something in that range but be able to clean it several times.

Jestertheclown · Mar 1, 2016

I'd say that those spots are caused by dust on your sensor, which isn't a problem and is easily remedied.

I'd be cautious however, about using a rocket blower. They do what they claim to do, which is, unsurprisingly, to blow but all that they actually achieve is to blow the dust inside your camera from one place to another. That "another" is quite likely to be your sensor.

Personally, I would never consider using one.

Cleaning your sensor is actually quite simple and depending upon who you listen to, can cost anywhere from next to nothing; the method I use, to quite a lot via various methods that you'll doubtless hear about during the course of this thread.

You've already seen how much "professionals" charge for the service and buying cleaning gear probably won't be much cheaper although it will last longer than one clean.

The biggest problem with having a shop do it for you is that while the sensor might be clean when it's returned to you, there's every chance that it will get dirty again the first time you change the lens.

Back to square one but considerably poorer!

Have a look at this.

Good luck!

"It's good to be . . . . . . . . . Me!"

ESfishdoc · Mar 1, 2016

shoutinhalls said:
Greetings all!

I am a very new photographer and think I may have gotten something on my sensor. I called a local place that cleans them but they gave me contradicting information:

First he said that the spots in my photos should not change size regardless of the zoom on the lens, then he said that it could change when I was just going to try and clean the lens again.

I am just trying to find out if the spots could be on the sensor and not the lens, even though they change size when zoomed in or out. Want to get that cleared up before spending $50 on something that may not resolve the issue, I already have checked the lens and see nothing wrong on either side.

These are two photos where you can see the difference of the spot in the top right corner

thanks!

That is clearly a spot on the sensor. It acts appropriately for stopping down as you show in your images.

Keep in mind you could spend 50 dollars for a sensor clean and a week later have more dust. It is not worth it IMHO. I use my cameras every day and for years I clean a sensor about 2 to 4 times a year. All I use is a rocket blower (which rarely fixes the problem) and sensor swabs, pec pads and eclipse.

Here is all you need:

Loading…

www.bhphotovideo.com

Here is another approach that I'm sure is fantastic although more expensive:

Here is a fun video to watch to give you some more ideas:

--

http://esfishdoc.smugmug.com/

My Flickr Page

Richard Hatch

Explore Richard Hatch’s 15,680 photos on Flickr!

www.flickr.com

f0rerunner · Mar 1, 2016

shoutinhalls said:
Greetings all!

I am a very new photographer and think I may have gotten something on my sensor. I called a local place that cleans them but they gave me contradicting information:

First he said that the spots in my photos should not change size regardless of the zoom on the lens, then he said that it could change when I was just going to try and clean the lens again.

I am just trying to find out if the spots could be on the sensor and not the lens, even though they change size when zoomed in or out. Want to get that cleared up before spending $50 on something that may not resolve the issue, I already have checked the lens and see nothing wrong on either side.

These are two photos where you can see the difference of the spot in the top right corner

thanks!

I'm having a similar issue...if there's anyone out there who is experienced, please reply asap!

ESfishdoc · Mar 1, 2016

f0rerunner said:
shoutinhalls said:

Greetings all!

I am a very new photographer and think I may have gotten something on my sensor. I called a local place that cleans them but they gave me contradicting information:

First he said that the spots in my photos should not change size regardless of the zoom on the lens, then he said that it could change when I was just going to try and clean the lens again.

I am just trying to find out if the spots could be on the sensor and not the lens, even though they change size when zoomed in or out. Want to get that cleared up before spending $50 on something that may not resolve the issue, I already have checked the lens and see nothing wrong on either side.

These are two photos where you can see the difference of the spot in the top right corner

thanks!

Click to expand...

I'm having a similar issue...if there's anyone out there who is experienced, please reply asap!

See my post above. PM me if you have specific questions. This is not rocket surgery!

--

http://esfishdoc.smugmug.com/

My Flickr Page

Richard Hatch

Explore Richard Hatch’s 15,680 photos on Flickr!

www.flickr.com

Joseph T Lewis III · Mar 1, 2016

ESfishdoc said:
See my post above. PM me if you have specific questions. This is not rocket surgery!

Leonard Migliore · Mar 1, 2016

Joseph T Lewis III said:
ESfishdoc said:

See my post above. PM me if you have specific questions. This is not rocket surgery!

--

Click to expand...

I would hope not, since there isn't any such thing as rocket surgery. Perhaps you have "rocket science" and "brain surgery" transposed?

From the Urban Dictionary:

Rocket Surgery

A mixed metaphor describing a non-existent, yet implicitly high level of qualification. The greatness of this term is in its subtle ability to call someone stupid twice in one euphemism. The irony may go over someone's head and they would call out that this field of study doesn't exist

shoutinhalls · Mar 1, 2016

Hi all,

I ended up taking this to a shop in town and they showed me on the sensor where two small pieces of dust were, very clear with a loupe. I decided to have it cleaned professionally because I tend to be clumsy, they were great, only $50, and the guy said he would clean again for free if anything popped up within the next 7 days. Thanks for everyone’s help!

ESfishdoc · Mar 2, 2016

Leonard Migliore said:
Joseph T Lewis III said:

ESfishdoc said:

See my post above. PM me if you have specific questions. This is not rocket surgery!

--

Click to expand...

I would hope not, since there isn't any such thing as rocket surgery. Perhaps you have "rocket science" and "brain surgery" transposed?

Click to expand...

From the Urban Dictionary:

Rocket Surgery

A mixed metaphor describing a non-existent, yet implicitly high level of qualification. The greatness of this term is in its subtle ability to call someone stupid twice in one euphemism. The irony may go over someone's head and they would call out that this field of study doesn't exist

Aberaeron · Mar 2, 2016

If you have a rocket blower, then simply follow that camera manual's instructions as to how to raise the mirror for access to the sensor and see if you can see any small dust particle. If it doesn't blow off easily, then follow one of the on-line tutorials for mechanical cleaning. I would try my best to move the particle in a dry and gentle way before paying money and doing a wet clean.

Be very thankful that you are having this issue with a removable lens camera rather than a fixed lens one where a large part of the camera body would have to be disassembled to access the sensor. Even more to get at the rear lens element.

ernstbk · Mar 2, 2016

Jestertheclown said:
I'd say that those spots are caused by dust on your sensor, which isn't a problem and is easily remedied.

I'd be cautious however, about using a rocket blower. They do what they claim to do, which is, unsurprisingly, to blow but all that they actually achieve is to blow the dust inside your camera from one place to another. That "another" is quite likely to be your sensor.

For this reason it is important to point the camera down while using a blower so that dirt can drop down to the floor instead of the sensor.

Jestertheclown said:
Personally, I would never consider using one.

Cleaning your sensor is actually quite simple and depending upon who you listen to, can cost anywhere from next to nothing; the method I use, to quite a lot via various methods that you'll doubtless hear about during the course of this thread.

With careful handling sensor cleaning may not even be necessary.

Jestertheclown said:
You've already seen how much "professionals" charge for the service and buying cleaning gear probably won't be much cheaper although it will last longer than one clean.

Jestertheclown said:
The biggest problem with having a shop do it for you is that while the sensor might be clean when it's returned to you, there's every chance that it will get dirty again the first time you change the lens.

Very likely the shop will have cleaned the lens before cleaning the sensor. For this reason it is important to ensure that all lenses are clean so that dirt is not carried over from a "dirty" lens on to the "clean" sensor. Cleaning a lens is not very involved, all you need is a blower and a toothbrush. First the toothbrush is used to loosen dirt on the lens caps, then the blower is used on the lens caps and the lens, before placing the lens cap back the blower should be used to remove any dust collected while cleaning the lens.

Jestertheclown said:
Back to square one but considerably poorer!

Have a look at this.

Good luck!

"It's good to be . . . . . . . . . Me!"

Aberaeron · Mar 2, 2016

ernstbk said:
Jestertheclown said:

I'd say that those spots are caused by dust on your sensor, which isn't a problem and is easily remedied.

I'd be cautious however, about using a rocket blower. They do what they claim to do, which is, unsurprisingly, to blow but all that they actually achieve is to blow the dust inside your camera from one place to another. That "another" is quite likely to be your sensor.

Click to expand...

For this reason it is important to point the camera down while using a blower so that dirt can drop down to the floor instead of the sensor.

Fine dust tends to defy gravity when there is an air current or disturbance, so I doubt whether the orientation make any difference when a rocket blows in there. Hopefully the dust spot will be carried clean out of the body by that current whichever way up the body rests.

If it was a substantial clod of dirt or a small stone on the other hand…………….. but it isn't.

beagle1 · Mar 3, 2016

shoutinhalls said:
Greetings all!

I am a very new photographer and think I may have gotten something on my sensor. I called a local place that cleans them but they gave me contradicting information:

First he said that the spots in my photos should not change size regardless of the zoom on the lens, then he said that it could change when I was just going to try and clean the lens again.

I am just trying to find out if the spots could be on the sensor and not the lens, even though they change size when zoomed in or out. Want to get that cleared up before spending $50 on something that may not resolve the issue, I already have checked the lens and see nothing wrong on either side.

These are two photos where you can see the difference of the spot in the top right corner

thanks!

yep, looks like dust on the sensor, if a blower doesn't work try eclipse solution and pec pads

Jestertheclown · Mar 3, 2016

ernstbk said:
Jestertheclown said:

I'd say that those spots are caused by dust on your sensor, which isn't a problem and is easily remedied.

I'd be cautious however, about using a rocket blower. They do what they claim to do, which is, unsurprisingly, to blow but all that they actually achieve is to blow the dust inside your camera from one place to another. That "another" is quite likely to be your sensor.

Click to expand...

For this reason it is important to point the camera down while using a blower so that dirt can drop down to the floor instead of the sensor.

You've obviously never tried pouring dust . . . ?

ernstbk said:
ernstbk said:

Personally, I would never consider using one.

Cleaning your sensor is actually quite simple and depending upon who you listen to, can cost anywhere from next to nothing; the method I use, to quite a lot via various methods that you'll doubtless hear about during the course of this thread.

Click to expand...

With careful handling sensor cleaning may not even be necessary.

Unlikely, in the extreme. Every time you change a lens, regardless of how careful you are, dust and bits will probably find their way in. Also lenses themselves, zooms in particular, "pump" dust into the body, simply by their being used.

ernstbk said:
ernstbk said:

You've already seen how much "professionals" charge for the service and buying cleaning gear probably won't be much cheaper although it will last longer than one clean.

The biggest problem with having a shop do it for you is that while the sensor might be clean when it's returned to you, there's every chance that it will get dirty again the first time you change the lens.

Click to expand...

Very likely the shop will have cleaned the lens before cleaning the sensor. For this reason it is important to ensure that all lenses are clean so that dirt is not carried over from a "dirty" lens on to the "clean" sensor. Cleaning a lens is not very involved, all you need is a blower and a toothbrush. First the toothbrush is used to loosen dirt on the lens caps, then the blower is used on the lens caps and the lens, before placing the lens cap back the blower should be used to remove any dust collected while cleaning the lens.

Again, the blower will do no more than blow, after all, that's all it's capable of and while it might blow off any dust that's lying on the lens, all it will do is blow it around, probably generating more mess than it's removing.

And in all situations, there's no chance that a blower will remove anything even remotely stuck in place.

ernstbk said:
ernstbk said:

Back to square one but considerably poorer!

Have a look at this.

Good luck!

"It's good to be . . . . . . . . . Me!"

Click to expand...

ernstbk · Mar 3, 2016

Jestertheclown said:
ernstbk said:

Jestertheclown said:

I'd say that those spots are caused by dust on your sensor, which isn't a problem and is easily remedied.

I'd be cautious however, about using a rocket blower. They do what they claim to do, which is, unsurprisingly, to blow but all that they actually achieve is to blow the dust inside your camera from one place to another. That "another" is quite likely to be your sensor.

Click to expand...

For this reason it is important to point the camera down while using a blower so that dirt can drop down to the floor instead of the sensor.

Click to expand...

You've obviously never tried pouring dust . . . ?

Jestertheclown said:

Jestertheclown said:

Personally, I would never consider using one.

Cleaning your sensor is actually quite simple and depending upon who you listen to, can cost anywhere from next to nothing; the method I use, to quite a lot via various methods that you'll doubtless hear about during the course of this thread.

Click to expand...

With careful handling sensor cleaning may not even be necessary.

Click to expand...

Unlikely, in the extreme. Every time you change a lens, regardless of how careful you are, dust and bits will probably find their way in. Also lenses themselves, zooms in particular, "pump" dust into the body, simply by their being used.

Jestertheclown said:

Jestertheclown said:

You've already seen how much "professionals" charge for the service and buying cleaning gear probably won't be much cheaper although it will last longer than one clean.

The biggest problem with having a shop do it for you is that while the sensor might be clean when it's returned to you, there's every chance that it will get dirty again the first time you change the lens.

Click to expand...

Very likely the shop will have cleaned the lens before cleaning the sensor. For this reason it is important to ensure that all lenses are clean so that dirt is not carried over from a "dirty" lens on to the "clean" sensor. Cleaning a lens is not very involved, all you need is a blower and a toothbrush. First the toothbrush is used to loosen dirt on the lens caps, then the blower is used on the lens caps and the lens, before placing the lens cap back the blower should be used to remove any dust collected while cleaning the lens.

Click to expand...

Again, the blower will do no more than blow, after all, that's all it's capable of and while it might blow off any dust that's lying on the lens, all it will do is blow it around, probably generating more mess than it's removing.

And in all situations, there's no chance that a blower will remove anything even remotely stuck in place.

Jestertheclown said:

Jestertheclown said:

Back to square one but considerably poorer!

Have a look at this.

Good luck!

"It's good to be . . . . . . . . . Me!"

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

You seem to know everything better, you always have to have the last word don't you ? I feel sorry for you, must be a real burden.

Jestertheclown · Mar 3, 2016

ernstbk said:
Jestertheclown said:

ernstbk said:

Jestertheclown said:

I'd say that those spots are caused by dust on your sensor, which isn't a problem and is easily remedied.

I'd be cautious however, about using a rocket blower. They do what they claim to do, which is, unsurprisingly, to blow but all that they actually achieve is to blow the dust inside your camera from one place to another. That "another" is quite likely to be your sensor.

Click to expand...

For this reason it is important to point the camera down while using a blower so that dirt can drop down to the floor instead of the sensor.

Click to expand...

You've obviously never tried pouring dust . . . ?

ernstbk said:

ernstbk said:

Personally, I would never consider using one.

Cleaning your sensor is actually quite simple and depending upon who you listen to, can cost anywhere from next to nothing; the method I use, to quite a lot via various methods that you'll doubtless hear about during the course of this thread.

Click to expand...

With careful handling sensor cleaning may not even be necessary.

Click to expand...

Unlikely, in the extreme. Every time you change a lens, regardless of how careful you are, dust and bits will probably find their way in. Also lenses themselves, zooms in particular, "pump" dust into the body, simply by their being used.

ernstbk said:

ernstbk said:

You've already seen how much "professionals" charge for the service and buying cleaning gear probably won't be much cheaper although it will last longer than one clean.

The biggest problem with having a shop do it for you is that while the sensor might be clean when it's returned to you, there's every chance that it will get dirty again the first time you change the lens.

Click to expand...

Very likely the shop will have cleaned the lens before cleaning the sensor. For this reason it is important to ensure that all lenses are clean so that dirt is not carried over from a "dirty" lens on to the "clean" sensor. Cleaning a lens is not very involved, all you need is a blower and a toothbrush. First the toothbrush is used to loosen dirt on the lens caps, then the blower is used on the lens caps and the lens, before placing the lens cap back the blower should be used to remove any dust collected while cleaning the lens.

Click to expand...

Again, the blower will do no more than blow, after all, that's all it's capable of and while it might blow off any dust that's lying on the lens, all it will do is blow it around, probably generating more mess than it's removing.

And in all situations, there's no chance that a blower will remove anything even remotely stuck in place.

ernstbk said:

ernstbk said:

Back to square one but considerably poorer!

Have a look at this.

Good luck!

"It's good to be . . . . . . . . . Me!"

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

You seem to know everything better, you always have to have the last word don't you ? I feel sorry for you,

There's really no need.

ernstbk said:
must be a real burden.

There is however, a need for a certain degree of accuracy when answering a question, posed in the beginners' forum.

I'll stand by my statement that rocket blowers offer only a very rudimentary level of cleaning and can, in fact, do more harm than good.

I'll also stand reiterate the fact that you can't pour dust.

rxbot · Mar 4, 2016

Taverns in old days were smoke filled. All that tar was good at trapping dust and germs, not much chance of removing dust and tar from a zoom used in those days I bet. If it got pumped into body of camera before it stuck I can't imagine what you could do about it.

chuxter · Mar 4, 2016

Jestertheclown said:
I'd say that those spots are caused by dust on your sensor, which isn't a problem and is easily remedied.

I'd be cautious however, about using a rocket blower. They do what they claim to do, which is, unsurprisingly, to blow but all that they actually achieve is to blow the dust inside your camera from one place to another. That "another" is quite likely to be your sensor.

But WAIT! The dust is ALREADY on the sensor. It might blow to another place on the sensor? It might blow off the sensor and end up somewhere else in the camera? There is dust everywhere! What we try to do is keep it mostly off the sensor.

Jestertheclown said:
Personally, I would never consider using one.

Most other "experts" recommend it as the FIRST step in any sensor cleaning regimen. If the spot is really dust, then a blower will remove it. If it doesn't blow off, it's not dust, but rather pollen or a fungus spore; they are sticky.

Jestertheclown said:
Cleaning your sensor is actually quite simple and depending upon who you listen to, can cost anywhere from next to nothing; the method I use, to quite a lot via various methods that you'll doubtless hear about during the course of this thread.

You've already seen how much "professionals" charge for the service and buying cleaning gear probably won't be much cheaper although it will last longer than one clean.

The biggest problem with having a shop do it for you is that while the sensor might be clean when it's returned to you, there's every chance that it will get dirty again the first time you change the lens.

Most lenses "pump" air into and out of the body as they are focused and/or zoomed. SO, even if you don't change lenses, dust can get inside.

Jestertheclown · Mar 4, 2016

chuxter said:
Jestertheclown said:

I'd say that those spots are caused by dust on your sensor, which isn't a problem and is easily remedied.

I'd be cautious however, about using a rocket blower. They do what they claim to do, which is, unsurprisingly, to blow but all that they actually achieve is to blow the dust inside your camera from one place to another. That "another" is quite likely to be your sensor.

Click to expand...

But WAIT! The dust is ALREADY on the sensor. It might blow to another place on the sensor? It might blow off the sensor and end up somewhere else in the camera? There is dust everywhere! What we try to do is keep it mostly off the sensor.

I thought that I just said that.

chuxter said:
chuxter said:

Personally, I would never consider using one.

Click to expand...

Most other "experts" recommend it as the FIRST step in any sensor cleaning regimen.

Depends which "experts" you listen to.

chuxter said:
If the spot is really dust, then a blower will remove it.

Will it? I wouldn't put money on it.

Static can cause all kinds of things, like dust, to stick to lots of other kinds of things, like your sensor. Blowing has only a limited effect.

chuxter said:
If it doesn't blow off, it's not dust,

Quite a generalisation and most certainly not a statement of fact.

chuxter said:
but rather pollen or a fungus spore; they are sticky.

chuxter said:

Cleaning your sensor is actually quite simple and depending upon who you listen to, can cost anywhere from next to nothing; the method I use, to quite a lot via various methods that you'll doubtless hear about during the course of this thread.

You've already seen how much "professionals" charge for the service and buying cleaning gear probably won't be much cheaper although it will last longer than one clean.

The biggest problem with having a shop do it for you is that while the sensor might be clean when it's returned to you, there's every chance that it will get dirty again the first time you change the lens.

Click to expand...

Most lenses "pump" air into and out of the body as they are focused and/or zoomed. SO, even if you don't change lenses, dust can get inside.

"It's good to be . . . . . . . . . Me!"

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