Are these sensor spots?

[Imaginik]

I wanted to confirm that the highlighted spots in the images below are 'sensor dusts/spots'. I'm assuming if confirmed, I should send into Canon USA for cleaning. I checked the front lens and I don't see any spots/fingerprints/etc. Any guidance is much appreciated.











I can always upload the full size images, but I wanted to conserve file size and upload quickly.

Nik

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I'm here to learn

 

[photogirl7]

Yes, those are dust particles. They are more noticeable at smaller apertures - like f18 in your second photo. A good way to test for dust on the sensor is to set the camera to a small aperture and take a shot of the blue sky. Any dust shows up well.

Go to the camera's menu and find the sensor cleaning function. Give that a try before cleaning the sensor yourself or sending it back to Canon.

 

[Timbukto]

Imaginik wrote:

I wanted to confirm that the highlighted spots in the images below are 'sensor dusts/spots'. I'm assuming if confirmed, I should send into Canon USA for cleaning. I checked the front lens and I don't see any spots/fingerprints/etc. Any guidance is much appreciated.





I can always upload the full size images, but I wanted to conserve file size and upload quickly.

Nik

--
I'm here to learn

Use a blower as a bare minimum prior to sending it in.

 

[Imaginik]

A couple questions:

1) When I call Canon, do I just tell them that there are sensor spots and I need my camera cleaned?

2) Is this covered under warranty or will I have to pay for the service?

3) What proof (if any) do I need to give to Canon?

 

[Timbukto]

At my local service center (Irvine, its about a block where I work) sensor cleaning was only $30. It is not under warranty because unlike the Nikon D600 it comes from your lens changing habits and not internally generated. Mistakes I see lots of folks do. Keep lens mount open in wind or pointed upwards and open (hello gravity?).

Keep your camera 90 degrees at lens changes and do them quickly.

 

[Imaginik]

Timbukto wrote:

At my local service center (Irvine, its about a block where I work) sensor cleaning was only $30. It is not under warranty because unlike the Nikon D600 it comes from your lens changing habits and not internally generated. Mistakes I see lots of folks do. Keep lens mount open in wind or pointed upwards and open (hello gravity?).

Keep your camera 90 degrees at lens changes and do them quickly.

Good point! I only have two lenses for the camera and haven't gotten to switching out the 24-105 mm lens for my "nifty fifty". Local camera store is charging $30 for cleaning. If it is not covered under warranty, might it be worthwhile to get it cleaned locally instead of mailing it to Canon?

 

[BigBen08]

photogirl7 wrote:



Go to the camera's menu and find the sensor cleaning function. Give that a try before cleaning the sensor yourself or sending it back to Canon.

I agree. Try this first.

 

[birdbrain]

I think you will find that Canon offer a 'free' sensor clean under warranty in the first year. Ring your nearest Canon service centre and arrange a visit. No point in paying for something if you can get it free!

 

[gfspencer]

Why don't you just clean the sensor yourself? It isn't rocket science. Dust spots are just part of normal camera operation. They will come again. Buy a cleaning system and go to the internet to see how to use it.

 

[Imaginik]

gfspencer wrote:

Why don't you just clean the sensor yourself? It isn't rocket science. Dust spots are just part of normal camera operation. They will come again. Buy a cleaning system and go to the internet to see how to use it.

I watched some videos on YouTube and read Canon's view on cleaning the sensor. I do agree that I should learn, but building confidence is another thing.

On that link, however, Canon seems to only recommend using a blower instead of any swabs, brushes, etc.

 

[jckk]

Imaginik wrote:

gfspencer wrote:

Why don't you just clean the sensor yourself? It isn't rocket science. Dust spots are just part of normal camera operation. They will come again. Buy a cleaning system and go to the internet to see how to use it.

I watched some videos on YouTube and read Canon's view on cleaning the sensor. I do agree that I should learn, but building confidence is another thing.

On that link, however, Canon seems to only recommend using a blower instead of any swabs, brushes, etc.

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I'm here to learn

It's going to get expensive if you send in the camera for a $30 cleaning plus all the postage for every time you get dust on the sensor. Get a blower (I use the Giottos Q ball since it's a bit more compact when sitting in my bag) and that will take care of most of the dust issues. Sometimes you'll have more stubborn dust spots that need to be physically swiped off or those that require wet cleaning, but a blower is a good first check.

My view on Canon's recommendation is that they're being very conservative due to liability and reputation considerations. Blowers are extremely low risk, but other methods that have a physical device touch the plate can result in issues if it's not done properly. Canon won't suggest those methods since they know that sometimes people won't do it correctly and damage their camera.

James

 

[Imaginik]

Here's an enhanced image of all the dust:



That looks DIRTY! And I've only had the camera for about 35 days.

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I'm here to learn

 

[thinkfat]

Imaginik wrote:

Here's an enhanced image of all the dust:



That looks DIRTY! And I've only had the camera for about 35 days.

That's not only DIRTY, that's FILTHY There's not just dust spots, I see what looks like residuals from a dried liquid, and lint, and whatnot. Is this camera new? You say you only have one lens so dust intake from frequent lens changes are out of the question for me. Maybe send the picture to Canon together with the history of the camera, and get them to cover shipping and cleaning cost?

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[Freeman-Jo]

photogirl7 wrote:

Yes, those are dust particles. They are more noticeable at smaller apertures - like f18 in your second photo. A good way to test for dust on the sensor is to set the camera to a small aperture and take a shot of the blue sky. Any dust shows up well.

Go to the camera's menu and find the sensor cleaning function. Give that a try before cleaning the sensor yourself or sending it back to Canon.

What if there is no blue sky? Seriously. A better way to test it is to set the camera to manual, manual focus, no flash and turn the Image Stabilizer(IS) off. Set the focus to infinity. Set the aperture to something that small(usually higher than f/16), lowest ISO, and then shutter speed to match them or maybe even 1 stop higher. This usually result in the shutter speed higher than a few seconds. Now, aim at a blank wall or something solid color tone at least a few feet a way(preferably something natural color, ie white tone). If the lens is a zoom lens, use telephoto end. And when firing the shot, move the camera around while keeping aim at the wall. This will give you a result or a very smooth color(natural) tone image. So a dust particle will show up easily. My suggestion is also, buy a small size rocket blower and keep it in your bag at all time. So, when you have to travel you can check and clean the sensor every at the hotel or some place clean and quiet. And prefer method of cleaning method is to unmount the lens. Set the camera to manual cleaning mode. This will flip the mirror up and the shutter open while turn off the sensor and left them there until the camera is turn off. This will have your camera sensor expose to everything. DO NOT TOUCH THE SENSOR. So make sure you do it in a clean safe place environment(so no AC or fan). Point the camera(opening mount area) downward, and start using the rocket blower to blow air in. This usually will knock most of the particle out of the sensor and gravity will pull them down. Give it a good few blow in all direction and any dust hiding on the side will get knock off also. Then turn the camera off, mount the lens and re-test. For any more resistant to air, then you need a special bush or you send the camera in to Canon. But dust stuck at place at the prism/focusing screen, you can try using a q-tip(cotton swabs) to clean that area instead. There is no need to send in the camera everytime you see a dust.

 

[Timbukto]

thinkfat wrote:

Imaginik wrote:

Here's an enhanced image of all the dust:



That looks DIRTY! And I've only had the camera for about 35 days.

That's not only DIRTY, that's FILTHY There's not just dust spots, I see what looks like residuals from a dried liquid, and lint, and whatnot. Is this camera new? You say you only have one lens so dust intake from frequent lens changes are out of the question for me. Maybe send the picture to Canon together with the history of the camera, and get them to cover shipping and cleaning cost?

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I'm here to learn

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Everybody loves gadgets, until they try to make them
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This is what a sensor looks like after a botched cleaning or shooting motorcross...or maybe you shot a color run/holi event?

 

[Imaginik]

Timbukto wrote:

This is what a sensor looks like after a botched cleaning or shooting motorcross...or maybe you shot a color run/holi event?

Most of images, thus far, are from a road trip to New Orleans. I typically only shoot landscapes and cityscapes. Sorry, no action photography from me

I'm assuming the sensor was always this dirty since I got it. I never bothered to check - my mistake and a foolish one.

 

[Timbukto]

Imaginik wrote:

Timbukto wrote:

This is what a sensor looks like after a botched cleaning or shooting motorcross...or maybe you shot a color run/holi event?

Most of images, thus far, are from a road trip to New Orleans. I typically only shoot landscapes and cityscapes. Sorry, no action photography from me

I'm assuming the sensor was always this dirty since I got it. I never bothered to check - my mistake and a foolish one.

 

[Imaginik]

Negative. Haven't changed the lens since I installed the kit lens on it.

 

[Timbukto]

Imaginik wrote:

Negative. Haven't changed the lens since I installed the kit lens on it.

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I'm here to learn

At this point you should send it in ASAP and clearly indicate that you never did a lens change on your weather sealed body/lens combo. This assumes that when you first purchased your camera and you opened the lens mount, your dog didn't come over and lick the sensor cause thats what it looks like.

The camera I *returned* and exchanged looked far prettier than that. Request a *full* mirror box cleaning as dust can be all over the mirror box (i.e. do you have specks in your viewfinder?).

 

[Imaginik]

I called up Canon support today and sent my beloved 6D to their service center. Hopefully they can fix the camera and have it back in my hands soon. I'm already missing my baby.