Help - sensor dust

[barrie]

I hope someone can help me. I am at WDW right now. I had my camera cleaned before I left and, stupid me, I didn't check it before I left. There is a ton of dust on the sensor that wasn't there before I took it in. Any suggestions on what I can do from here?

I have opened it up, blown it out and used a cloth to clean whatever I can. I was able to remove only one spot. One is a big long streak down the middle of the frame. Ugh!

I think I can borrow a camera from a friend that will arrive on Thursday, but any thoughts on what to do until then?

 

[mabas9395]

Unless you have a wet cleaning kit or a professional cleaner near by, it is probably safer to not do anything.

Is that a crop or the full frame? What f-stop was that test shot at? Usually if you open up the aperture most of the way the dust and spots don't become visible.

I don't know about you, but I would rather have spotty photos of my kids at WDW than no photos at all.

 

[barrie]

That was shot at F8, not cropped. I did tests at each aperture and at 3.5 I can't see the spots. That's a good solution til I can get the other camera. Thanks!

 

[mabas9395]

And when you get back you should ask for your money back on that sensor cleaning.

 

[barrie]

The sad thing is that when I originally took it in there were no spots at all. When I got it back, there was one spot. I returned it to get rid of that spot and they said they couldn't get it off and I'd have to get a new sensor. And of course there was "no way their equipment could have caused it". It would take 4 weeks and I was leaving the next day for WDW so I decided to wait. Then when I got here I found that the original spot was gone but now there are all these new spots. I'm about to call them right now - had to wait for the time difference.

 

[MICKEY88]

if the spot was gone when you got there, obviously they were wrong about needing a new sensor, did you check to make sure it's not on the lens..??

 

[Code]

What does it look like at f/22? That long streak is probably a hair...

 

[DVC Jen]

I had a few spots like that after I cleaned my own sensor a few weeks ago. I am guessing it was from a particularly icky bunny - and that is "bunny juice" smeared.

I just went back and cleaned it a few more times until I got it off.

I had a HORRIBLE experience when I took my sensor in to be cleaned - nightmare experience. So bad I had to send my camera in to get it cleaned.

Now - I am just doing it myself.

Good luck.

 

[barrie]

It's definately not the lens - I tried different lenses, had the same dust.

Here it is at f/3.5


And this is at f/22

 

[Code]

I would think you'd be able to get rid of that big hair with a blower...

 

[mabas9395]

Hope that is a hair and not a scratch.

 

[Code]

Hope that is a hair and not a scratch.

I didn't want to say it

 

[dburg30]

Yea, something like that, if again, those are upcropped, should be visible, easily I'd think.. I agree now, hope that's not a scratch

 

[Groucho]

I realize that this is probably not very helpful, but this is a good example why it's a good idea to learn how to clean the sensor yourself rather than take it to a butcher, err, I mean, professional to have it cleaned.

It probably won't help if you pick up dust at the park that you can't get off with a blower (unless you drove and brought along your wet cleaner), but you won't have to worry about someone doing a poor job cleaning it right when you are leaving for vacation and don't have time to get it done right.

Barrie, do you have a Rocket Blower? If so, did you blow the camera out while it was in Sensor Cleaning mode (not just as it sits with the lens off)? Best bet is to do it with the lens mount facing down, so gravity will help get rid of the dust. Even if you have some other blower, it's probably worth trying, as you probably won't make it any worse!

If you're blowing around in there when the camera is not in Sensor Cleaning mode, chances are that you aren't making any difference.

 

[Furgus]

I am with Groucho on this one. While it will not help you now, you might want to invest in a good cleaning kit when you get home.
While it can be very intimidating to clean your own sensor, it really is easy and not to scary once you do it a couple of times.
I highly recommend the Copper Hills System. I bought one earlier this year and it is super easy to use, and I am very happy with the results.
Here is the kit I got:
Copper Hills Wet/Dry Kit

There are also some great tutorials on that site for cleaning your sensor.
Good Luck.

 

[NostalgicDad]

I also use the sensor swabs and E2 I purchased from Copper Hills as Furgus mentioned. It is very easy and works perfectly when done according to the directions. For some dry cleaning situations, I also use the Arctic Butterfly which works pretty well for me.

 

[barrie]

OK, well, big lesson learned! TominPok is coming to my rescue with a rocket blaster. Hopefully, that's all I'll need. If that doesn't work, I have another camera body on its way as well.

I have been looking for instructions on how to put the sensor in cleaning mode but can't find anything. I also keep getting bumped off the internet, which makes searching a little difficult. I have a D50 - anyone know how to do it?

And thanks for all the help - I knew right where to come. You all are great! Here's one of my photos that did come out ok - night ones don't show the dust.

 

[Code]

In the setup menu, it is the "Mirror Lock-up" option.

 

[barrie]

Thanks Code. OK - it's definately scratched. I can see 3 scratches going right down the center of the sensor.

I guess I'll be getting a new one when I get home. At least I won't have to pay for it.

Thanks again everyone!

 

[Code]

Thanks Code. OK - it's definately scratched. I can see 3 scratches going right down the center of the sensor.

I guess I'll be getting a new one when I get home. At least I won't have to pay for it.

Thanks again everyone!

That bites. I would give the place that cleaned it a piece of my mind!