Nikon D80 'dust' help

[Nikklaus]

Hey,

Basically I started taking some photos last night and I noticed a recurring series of specs on my photos. I hadn't taken the lens off in around 9 months. I can't see any marks on the front of my lens and I cannot see these specs when I'm using the viewfinder. I took the lens off anyway, to get a look at what I thought would be the sensor (behind the mirror - a black thing?! (sorry for my tehnical ignorance)) but I couldn't see anything obvious on it. Basically I don't know what to do about this - take it back to the shop I bought it from and see what they say? Clean it myself?

Here are some examples, the spec is on the left side in the middle along with its other little speccy friends scattered all around:

Thanks for taking a look

 

[ann]

you do have some dust, but that large black "hulk" is sitting somewhere on the sensor, just take it in to shop and see if they can remove it for you.

i know some people who clean their own sensor, but i am "chicken" myself .

the "real" dust can be removed with post editing and when they get to be too bad you need to h ave the sensor cleaned.

dust is amazing stuff. you really don't have to take the lens off it will find it's way. remember we have an electical toy here that attracts dust.

 

[andrew99]

I had a similar thing on my D40. I got rid of it really easily, but most people will warn you not to try this yourself, so proceed with caution. Actually, carefully clean your lens first, or try another lens to make sure the dust is actually on the sensor.

1) Remove the lens.

2) Put the camera in mirror lock mode, this moves the mirror out of the way. Check your camera manual so you understand how this works. On my camera, the mirror stays up until you power off the camera, then it closes automatically.

3) Hold the camera pointing down, this way dust can fall out, and anything floating in the air won't fall in.

4) Gently blow air into the camera using a bulb blower. Do not blow with your mouth, and definitely *do not* spray compressed air in there (that can ruin the sensor). I squeezed the bulb blower several times before doing this to make sure it did not contain any dust.

When I did this, I actually saw a black speck fall out of the camera.

If the dust is still there after doing this, take it to a specialist. I wouldn't recommend going any farther than this, and don't touch the sensor!

 

[Stranger]

meh, i dont see it as a huge deal.. if the dust blower doesnt work explained in the post above, you can pick up some sensor swabs at the local shop and see if one the guys will show you how to use them.

They really are not hard to use and they make it difficult to ruin anything.


Its basically a q-tip type thing with a specialized end to it that will wipe your sensor similar to how you clean a window with the rubber california wipers or the things window washers use. Easy process really, only takes a few minutes.