Smears on sensor (Samsung EX1)

The sensor of my EX1 is developing smears. It now has three as shown in the picture.

I've Googled the problem but not found an answer to what causes them, as I don't think they are caused by dust. Any suggestions? I keep the camera as clean and dry as I can.

Smears on sensor

Have you tried cleaning sensor with a sensor swab? Have you ever pointed your camera towards the sun? Even for a few seconds, the sun can damage sensors.

You can't get to the sensor to clean it. But, yes, I do often shoot 'contre jour'.

It will be dust on the sensor, sorry I don't have an EX1 so I can't give instructions how to access the sensor but on compact cameras of mine it involves undoing the case screws, removing the camera back, then undoing the screws holding the sensor in place to access it then you'll get a chance to inspect and clean the sensor. A blower is good for that.

jim4850 wrote:

It will be dust on the sensor, sorry I don't have an EX1 so I can't give instructions how to access the sensor but on compact cameras of mine it involves undoing the case screws, removing the camera back, then undoing the screws holding the sensor in place to access it then you'll get a chance to inspect and clean the sensor. A blower is good for that.

Thanks. But on the EX1 there is a ribbon cable to disconnect, and the connector is very fragile. I sent my last EX1 to a Samsung approved service centre to get the sensor cleaned, and the company doing the job broke the connector, and then said that it was broken when I sent the camera to them. It cost almost as much as I paid for the second EX1 to get the first one repaired, and I don't want to go through all that again.

I had a similar problem with My hx5. Termal shock may help: Put the camera upside down in a sealed Plastic bag on the freezer For some hour, then Close to a heat source until it Goes to ambient temperature. Repeat some time. It worked For me, the dust Left the Sensor...
--
http://samsungnxtips.blogspot.com

Greynerd wrote:

Found this:

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/2989816

Hope it helps.

Thanks Greynerd, but if you scroll to the bottom of that thread you will see my comments about not being able to disconnect the ribbon cable.

mordor_74 wrote:

I had a similar problem with My hx5. Termal shock may help: Put the camera upside down in a sealed Plastic bag on the freezer For some hour, then Close to a heat source until it Goes to ambient temperature. Repeat some time. It worked For me, the dust Left the Sensor...
--
http://samsungnxtips.blogspot.com

Thanks mordor_74, that's certainly worth a try.

Greynerd wrote:

Do you know this for a fact or is this what the previous repairers told you? In the wrong hands anything is fragile. Seems worth a try if the kit is a bit terminal.

Yes I did open up the EX1 and have a try before sending it off to the service people. I am always open to a bit of DIY, and have built a lot of my own hi-fi, so am not averse to opening something up to take a look. But I couldn't see how to disconnect that ribbon cable, and when the service engineers broke it, I was glad that I hadn't tried to force it off. I did wonder if there was a special tool for the job.

Peadingle wrote:

The sensor of my EX1 is developing smears. It now has three as shown in the picture.

I've Googled the problem but not found an answer to what causes them, as I don't think they are caused by dust. Any suggestions? I keep the camera as clean and dry as I can.

Dirty sensor - diffficult to clean in fixed camera lens. I had such issue many years ago in Canon A60 and camera was sent to thhe service.

To avoid this problem on pictures use full open aperture- there is not  really any reason to close the aperture in such camera with tiny sensor

I use my LX7 always full open (auto ND filter helps in bright scenes) because its F1,4 is F8 eqv in FF terms for DOF and it is better also t oavoid difffraction problem -aperture value  F2 is the border for 1/1,7" sensor cameras.

Depending on your conditions, this could cause condensation on the sensor. If you are going to attempt it, then first remove the battery and hold down the shutter button to drain any residual power. After the process, put the camera in a bag of rice or with some other desiccant overnight, only then put back the battery and power it on.

ttbek wrote:

Depending on your conditions, this could cause condensation on the sensor. If you are going to attempt it, then first remove the battery and hold down the shutter button to drain any residual power. After the process, put the camera in a bag of rice or with some other desiccant overnight, only then put back the battery and power it on.

Thanks for the tip.