Is this sensor dust?

[sherry7]

I was just looking over some pictures I took last weekend. I'm not sure, but I think this is sensor dust. I've only had my DSLR for a few weeks, so I'm still pretty ignorant about this stuff.

If this is sensor dust, what is the best way to go about cleaning it?

Here's a couple of pictures where it shows up particularly bad. In the first one, it's to the left of the tree. In the second one, it's right above the building.

 

[Jeff Fillmore]

Yes that looks link gunk on the sensor. I would try a Rocket Blower first. Remove the lens and lock the mirror up- and while holding the camera facing down so any dust falls out you can blow the sensor clean.

They make wet cleaning products also but I have never had good luck with them- a local shop will do it for $50 in my area and I did that once when air was not enough.

 

[sherry7]

Yes that looks link gunk on the sensor. I would try a Rocket Blower first. Remove the lens and lock the mirror up- and while holding the camera facing down so any dust falls out you can blow the sensor clean.

They make wet cleaning products also but I have never had good luck with them- a local shop will do it for $50 in my area and I did that once when air was not enough.

Thanks Jeff. I was afraid that was the problem. I'm kind of surprised, since I've only changed the lens a couple of times, and thought I was super careful. Oh well, it was bound to get dirty eventually, right?

When you say "lock the mirror up" I'm not sure I know what you mean. Is that option somewhere in the menu settings, because I can't seem to find it. (I have a Sony A350).

 

[Jeff Fillmore]

Yes- when you remove the lens on an SLR what you see inside is the mirror that reflects the light allowing you to look thru the lens from your viewfinder. When you take a picture the mirror flips up out of the way for a moment and the shutter opens exposing the sensor to the light coming thru the lens. To clean the sensor you need to access it from behind these parts. With a Nikon it is a menu selection plus a shutter actuation- I expect it is similar with the Sony as well- maybe a Sony shooter can chime in with exactly what it is.

 

[wdwwishes]

I change my lenses constantly, even on the beach and never have had any sensor dust. If anything, my uv filters on my lenses get drity or smudged and need the cleaning. I'd take some photos and your camera to a shop and see what they say.

 

[JoeDif]

Thanks Jeff. I was afraid that was the problem. I'm kind of surprised, since I've only changed the lens a couple of times, and thought I was super careful. Oh well, it was bound to get dirty eventually, right?

When you say "lock the mirror up" I'm not sure I know what you mean. Is that option somewhere in the menu settings, because I can't seem to find it. (I have a Sony A350).

I found this.....it doesn't look like the A350 has that feature

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1037&message=27237263

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Sherry - I don't know if the A350 has the exact same setup as the A700 but here's what is done on that....go into the menu under tools. There will be an option called "cleaning mode". Select that and it will lock the mirror up. Take the lens off and the sensor will be exposed. After you use the rocket blower you need to turn the camera off which will disengage the mirror lockup.

Since the A350 has live view which the A700 doesn't it may be different - but hopefully this can point you in the right direction!

I live in dust world - otherwise known as high desert Nevada and I know about dust - I think I got it after changing the lens once!!!!!

 

[AndrewWG]

I change my lenses constantly, even on the beach and never have had any sensor dust. If anything, my uv filters on my lenses get drity or smudged and need the cleaning. I'd take some photos and your camera to a shop and see what they say.

I find it hard to believe that you have never had dust on your sensor. Try taking a picture using your narrowest aperture and only of the blue sky and see what they look like. I would imagine that you would have to have dust if you have owned your camera for any amount of time and change the lenses often. Maybe you don't, but if you don't, please let me know what camera you have so I can go get one.

 

[sherry7]

Thanks for the info everyone.

I'll have to check and see if the local Ritz Camera has Rocket Blowers...or order one online.

I'm assuming that cleaning the sensor with a microfiber cloth is probably a big no-no, right?

Sigh....life was easier with my old P&S, but regardless, I'm having a lot of fun with this new DSLR.

 

[AndrewWG]

Thanks for the info everyone.

I'll have to check and see if the local Ritz Camera has Rocket Blowers...or order one online.

I'm assuming that cleaning the sensor with a microfiber cloth is probably a big no-no, right?

Sigh....life was easier with my old P&S, but regardless, I'm having a lot of fun with this new DSLR.

No. Only use products made specifically for cleaning sensors. A rocket blower or sensor swabs are about the only things recommended. There are also pens that are made for this, but I have no experience with them. Either way, be sure that the product you use is for cleaning sensors. Compressed air in the can is also a big NO-NO.

 

[Jeff Fillmore]

Compressed air in the can is also a big NO-NO.

Good advice. That is exactly what got me to the repair shop.

 

[Groucho]

Mirror lock-up is not the same as sensor cleaning mode... I'd have a hard time believing that any DSLR (especially a reasonably modern one) wouldn't have a sensor cleaning mode.

Wet cleaning really isn't that bad. I use the Pec-Pads and Eclipse fluid method, effective and cheap. But the majority of the time, the Rocket Blower does the trick. I don't know about anyone else, but my rather brutish technique is the pull the lens, point the camera towards the ground, and use the Rocket Blower to blow like mad in there a bunch of times, then snap on a new lens. Not very dignified but it appears to work.

I also make sure to swap lenses as quickly as possible and attempt to face the camera downwards (at least a little) and keep my back to the wind if outside. After about 10k shots with my latest DSLR (including lots of use of old screw-mount lenses, which mean time with the camera open while removing the adapter), I've never had to do a wet cleaning. (I think the built-in antidust tricks help, too.)

 

[YesDear]

You can get a rocket blower for $9-15 at many camera shops. I was always taught to use the rocket blower first. There is a vacuum brush that you can get that is about $60 that works well. Wet cleaning would be my last option. Make sure you use the type of solvent that is specifically designed for your camera sensor. Some cleaners will damage some sensors.

Like a carpenter who measures twice and cuts once. Read and confirm twice before you clean with the wrong stuff!

I also agree that the rocket blower will solve the problem 70-80% of the time!

 

[AndrewWG]

Personally, I have never had any luck with the rocket blower. I don't know why, as many here have good luck with them. I am always ending up wet cleaning. That being said, I don't go anywhere without the rocket blower.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

Remember to clean the sensor with a reliable, fully charged battery in the camera. If the camera loses power while you are cleaning, the shutter will close. If it hits something, you made a potentially expensive mistake.

Dust-Aid makes some pretty nifty little sensor cleaners. They are little stick pads that you press against the sensor and peel off. The dust sticks to them. They work really well, but they are pretty expensive if you clean very often.

My favorite method is to gargle with a strong mouth rinse and then lick the sensor clean. If you try that, be very careful not to sneeze while cleaning it.

 

[safetymom]

Ah I miss Phipps conservatory.

 

[dpic]

My favorite method is to gargle with a strong mouth rinse and then lick the sensor clean. If you try that, be very careful not to sneeze while cleaning it.

I've tried that, but you really should dip your tongue in alcohol just before licking (vodka works well).