where are these smudges from

rlcphotos · Jun 25, 2008

on my XT these marks have started shoeing up?? I have cleaned this lens in particular but seem to get them on all lens, I brushed the mirror lightly and blowed litely but still they are there, any help appreciated.
The one photo I darkened so they would show up better....only seem to show on brite shots such as these

Rachelsne · Jun 25, 2008

are they in the same place on each lens?

If they are Its got to me an in camera thing- I have yet to clean my camera parts, so I may be wrong but....

I think you need to clena the sensor not the mirror-

like this thread sugests
http://thephotoforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=126710&highlight=sensor+cleaning

Dao · Jun 25, 2008

For sensor dust, someone in this forum suggest using this.

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Giottos-Rocket-Air-Blower-Review.aspx

Big Mike · Jun 25, 2008

I can't see the images (probably my end, not yours) but i would think that it's dust on the sensor...not on the lens and surely not on the mirror (the mirror flips up and out of the way when the image is captured...so anything on the mirror will definitely not show up in the image).

Cleaning the sensor is par for the course with a DSLR camera. There have been many posts about the many ways of cleaning your sensor...so use the search feature.

Sandspur · Jun 25, 2008

It's dust and/or moisture on the sensor.

Risky to clean. Be sure that either you or whomever you let do the cleaning knows what to do and has the correct tools. Otherwise you can ruin the camera.

conradtan · Jun 25, 2008

Sensor dust for sure..

Jon0807 · Jun 25, 2008

Looks like sensor dust...bad enough to have to have it cleaned professionally I'd say.

peterbj7 · Jun 25, 2008

Agreed. You should be able to clean it yourself with Eclipse liquid and the appropriate Sensor Swab. Read the camera manual first. You'll need a fully charged battery or external power supply. It's not difficult but you do need to be very careful or you may do damage. If you have any doubts take it to Canon, or look up an authorised service agent. Make sure you're in a non-dusty environment with no air circulating. Don't be surprised if all the muck doesn't disappear on the first pass - you may need to do it twice. Do NOT re-use the sensor swab, or grit on it may score and ruin the sensor. Also get a Rocket Blower which may well shift some of the muck, now and in the future.

I was very worried before I first cleaned my sensor, but now I've done it several times (at least once a month) I have no concerns.

I should emphasise - ONLY use Eclipse and the right Sensor Swab on the sensor - do NOT touch it with anything else, and that includes a brush. When using the Rocket Blower hold the camera so the lens opening is facing down and be careful not to knock the mirror or sensor with the tip of the blower. Blow all around inside the camera, and any much that's just sitting in there waiting to get onto the sensor may be blown out.

SBlanca · Jun 26, 2008

definately sensor dust, looks quite bad, get it done with a pro, or do it yourself if you just dont care about your camera, I paid something around the region of $40 for a shop guy to clean my sensor, i just didnt dare to do it myself

djacobox372 · Jun 26, 2008

Blow off the sensor with a hand blower (NOT CANNED AIR)... that should get rid of most of it... if what's left still bothers you you'll need to do a wet-clean which is a bit more risky.

Joves · Jun 26, 2008

djacobox372 said:
Blow off the sensor with a hand blower (NOT CANNED AIR)... that should get rid of most of it... if what's left still bothers you you'll need to do a wet-clean which is a bit more risky.

I agree. Blowing it off will most likely do the deed. Turn the mount down when you are doing it so the dust drops out easier. Wet cleaning isnt that hard if you know what you are doing.

asfixiate · Jun 27, 2008

how often does everyone here clean their sensor? I've got the be careful changing lenses motto and its not failed me yet.

Iron Flatline · Jun 27, 2008

Do not freak out about cleaning your sensor. If you have an iota of common sense, this is not difficult. It is however imperative that you use the right tools. My cameras are worth many thousands of dollars, and I don't hesitate. I clean mine quarterly, sometimes more frequently.

First off: although we all say sensor, the dust and moisture is actually on a piece of glass mounted right in front of the sensor. So already you're dealing with a surface you have some familiarity with. Do NOT clean it with your diamond ring, for instance, or a Brillo pad.

Check your sensor by photographing a white wall or the sky. Set it to a tight aperture (f/16 comes to mind) but don't worry about being in focus or camera shake. The smaller the aperture, the clearer the spots are visible.

There may be other companies and products, but I use the various components from Visible Dust. I even own their magnifying loupe with the built-in light.

A: Take a close look under bright lights at your sensor. Use a magnifying glass or something if you can. Keep checking to see, but some small spots are difficult to catch with the naked eye. If you're MEGA-anal you could make an exposure between every step and then check it on a computer, but it's not worth it.

B: Use the blower, get rid of the lose stuff. Put the camera in clean mode (with full batteries) and use a blower on the sensor. Make sure you're holding the camera down so the stuff falls out. DON'T put the blower in the camera, just outside is good enough. This will clean 60% of all dirt.

C: Use the statically charged brush to wipe away any debris off the sensor. This usually gets another 25%. This step IS HIGHLY product specific. Their Arctic Butterfly is the only one I know of its kind, but there may be others. Do NOT use a different kind of brush (clean paint brush or make-up brush), you'll just add more dirt to the sensor.

D: use the appropriate liquid and swab to wipe your sensor. Put the liquid on the swab, let it soak in for about 15-20 seconds, and then give your sensor one good slow uninterrupted wipe. Don't push down on the glass too hard, but have a sensible amount of pressure. This will get the remaining 15% of really tough spots, which are usually moisture. Do NOT use Q-Tips or stuff like that.

E: You have a LOT of crap on your sensor right now, so go ahead and clean... but resign yourself to the fact that there may always be one or two. If that's all you got, accept them and get rid of them in Photoshop.

And don't change lenses with the camera in your lap. You may think you don't have dandruff... you'd be surprised how much liquid and solid biomass comes off you every moment. We're all Charlie Brown's friend Pigpen...

Two comments on moisture: do not go in and out of hot/cold places. I know Americans like to air condition their houses down to 70 degrees even when it's 115 degrees outside... you've seen what happens to a cold can of Coke when you take it out of the fridge and put it in a warmer space... moisture condenses on it. Well, the same thing could happen to your sensor if you walk out of a very AC house... and you make it even worse by changing lenses outside shortly thereafter. (The same works in reverse in winter, coming in from the cold.) Avoid it, try to acclimate your gear to temperature changes slowly.

The other problem, occasionally seen on new cameras, is a little too much lubricant for the shutter and mirror assembly.

Anyway, moisture spots need to be dealt with using a moist clean procedure. It's not a big deal. Just don't be a brute.