Help needed: Persistent dust, scratched sensor or sth else?

[sergiotous]

Couple weeks ago I've noticed a black curved shadow in my X-E3 photos. It is more visible when I shoot at narrow apertures:


XF 23mm f2 @ f16


100% cut from above image

I've some experience with cleaning dust in sensors (DSLR & mirrorless) therefore I proceed as I used to:

1st) With camera facing down I blowed several times with a standard photo air dust blower in the sensor.

2nd) put a drop of isopropyl alcohol in a sensor swap and pass it over several times.

3rd) Blow again, put the lens back and check for dust by pointing the camera at the sky with a narrow lens aperture.

I've repeated the process several times, even using one swap with a lot of alcohol, pass it multiple times and then use another swap to dry / clean after. However the shadow keeps appearing in the photos in the same place and size.

As far as I can I don't see any dust particles on the sensor, fabric or any other particle. I've tried with other lens (XF 50 f2) and the shadow keeps appearing in my photos.

What do you think could be the cause? Any tips on how to deal with it?

Thanks!

 

[sergiotous]

Another pic from a few days ago with XF 50mm after the first cleaning attempt :

 

[Morris0]

That looks like dust. Why are you using isopropyl alcohol? You may be removing the coating on the high pass filter. You should use an approved cleaner such as Eclipse Fluid and swabs that are matched to it's use.

Has the dust moved at all when you compare frames from before and after attempts? Some material is very sticky and sometimes different cleaning fluids are necessary. If all attempts fail, then you may have dust between the sensor and the high pass filter. If this is the case, you will need to send your camera in to Fuji.

Good luck,

Morris

 

[sergiotous]

That looks like dust. Why are you using isopropyl alcohol? You may be removing the coating on the high pass filter. You should use an approved cleaner such as Eclipse Fluid and swabs that are matched to it's use.

Has the dust moved at all when you compare frames from before and after attempts? Some material is very sticky and sometimes different cleaning fluids are necessary. If all attempts fail, then you may have dust between the sensor and the high pass filter. If this is the case, you will need to send your camera in to Fuji.

Good luck,

Morris

I tried a commercial cleaner solution years ago and I was disappointed by the residue it left. Anyway, you might be right, never thought about it.

The dust has not moved at all through the attempt so having the dust between the sensor and the high pass filter sounds reasonable. I thought Fuji X cameras had no high pass due to the X-trans pattern.

The problem is I guess Fuji will charge me more than what the camera is worth (my X-E3 has multiple tear and wear marks already) for the reparation. So if I find a way to solve it myself it will be great.

Thanks anyway

 

[Morris0]

That looks like dust. Why are you using isopropyl alcohol? You may be removing the coating on the high pass filter. You should use an approved cleaner such as Eclipse Fluid and swabs that are matched to it's use.

Has the dust moved at all when you compare frames from before and after attempts? Some material is very sticky and sometimes different cleaning fluids are necessary. If all attempts fail, then you may have dust between the sensor and the high pass filter. If this is the case, you will need to send your camera in to Fuji.

Good luck,

Morris

I tried a commercial cleaner solution years ago and I was disappointed by the residue it left. Anyway, you might be right, never thought about it.

The dust has not moved at all through the attempt so having the dust between the sensor and the high pass filter sounds reasonable. I thought Fuji X cameras had no high pass due to the X-trans pattern.

The problem is I guess Fuji will charge me more than what the camera is worth (my X-E3 has multiple tear and wear marks already) for the reparation. So if I find a way to solve it myself it will be great.

Thanks anyway

It may not be a high pass filter yet there is still a cover over the sensor. Give Fuji a call and ask what it would cost. I seem to recall this is not an expensive service.

Good luck!

Morris

 

[Feugi]

As Morris said, rubbing alcohol is a no no. What kind of sensor swab are you using? It might take multiple swabs and passes in different directions to get it off. If after 6 wet swabs it is still there, using proper sensor cleaning fluid, then you can send it in to Fuji or a local shop for further evaluation.

 

[Karl Huber]

Couple weeks ago I've noticed a black curved shadow in my X-E3 photos. It is more visible when I shoot at narrow apertures:


XF 23mm f2 @ f16


100% cut from above image

I've some experience with cleaning dust in sensors (DSLR & mirrorless) therefore I proceed as I used to:

1st) With camera facing down I blowed several times with a standard photo air dust blower in the sensor.

2nd) put a drop of isopropyl alcohol in a sensor swap and pass it over several times.

3rd) Blow again, put the lens back and check for dust by pointing the camera at the sky with a narrow lens aperture.

I've repeated the process several times, even using one swap with a lot of alcohol, pass it multiple times and then use another swap to dry / clean after. However the shadow keeps appearing in the photos in the same place and size.

As far as I can I don't see any dust particles on the sensor, fabric or any other particle. I've tried with other lens (XF 50 f2) and the shadow keeps appearing in my photos.

What do you think could be the cause? Any tips on how to deal with it?

Thanks!

Check the rear element of your lens. A small hair lodged there could be the problem.

 

[Feugi]

Couple weeks ago I've noticed a black curved shadow in my X-E3 photos. It is more visible when I shoot at narrow apertures:


XF 23mm f2 @ f16


100% cut from above image

I've some experience with cleaning dust in sensors (DSLR & mirrorless) therefore I proceed as I used to:

1st) With camera facing down I blowed several times with a standard photo air dust blower in the sensor.

2nd) put a drop of isopropyl alcohol in a sensor swap and pass it over several times.

3rd) Blow again, put the lens back and check for dust by pointing the camera at the sky with a narrow lens aperture.

I've repeated the process several times, even using one swap with a lot of alcohol, pass it multiple times and then use another swap to dry / clean after. However the shadow keeps appearing in the photos in the same place and size.

As far as I can I don't see any dust particles on the sensor, fabric or any other particle. I've tried with other lens (XF 50 f2) and the shadow keeps appearing in my photos.

What do you think could be the cause? Any tips on how to deal with it?

Thanks!

Check the rear element of your lens. A small hair lodged there could be the problem.

OP said he used two different lenses and the spot is in the same place.

 

[Karl Huber]

Couple weeks ago I've noticed a black curved shadow in my X-E3 photos. It is more visible when I shoot at narrow apertures:


XF 23mm f2 @ f16


100% cut from above image

I've some experience with cleaning dust in sensors (DSLR & mirrorless) therefore I proceed as I used to:

1st) With camera facing down I blowed several times with a standard photo air dust blower in the sensor.

2nd) put a drop of isopropyl alcohol in a sensor swap and pass it over several times.

3rd) Blow again, put the lens back and check for dust by pointing the camera at the sky with a narrow lens aperture.

I've repeated the process several times, even using one swap with a lot of alcohol, pass it multiple times and then use another swap to dry / clean after. However the shadow keeps appearing in the photos in the same place and size.

As far as I can I don't see any dust particles on the sensor, fabric or any other particle. I've tried with other lens (XF 50 f2) and the shadow keeps appearing in my photos.

What do you think could be the cause? Any tips on how to deal with it?

Thanks!

Check the rear element of your lens. A small hair lodged there could be the problem.

OP said he used two different lenses and the spot is in the same place.

OK. Didn’t notice that.