Sensor dust

JMitchell · 19-02-2007, 10:44

Hi guys,
The horribly inevitable has happened; I have some sensor dust. It's a hair like line at the top of the sensor, and obviously is prevalent at focal lengths of about 25-29. What do I do? Can I just take the lens out and kind of blow on the sensor? DIdn't think so.... It's annoying but does not notice too much. Would like to get rid of it though.

Help? I would also prefer not to have to spend money on kits etc. as that is something I don't have a lot of right now....

Thanks,

Jack M

(PS: It's a D50)

**stepheno** · 19-02-2007, 10:58

I'm not familiar with the D50 but first off I would, as you say, remove the lens and try to blow out the offending hair/dust. I would recommend a Giottos Rocket Blower - do not use compressed air.

If that doesn't remove it then you may well have to clean the sensor. But, try the blower first.

JMitchell · 19-02-2007, 10:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by stepheno

I'm not familiar with the D50 but first off I would, as you say, remove the lens and try to blow out the offending hair/dust.

Can I blow it with my lungs?

**Markulous** · 19-02-2007, 11:05

Ahh, dust on the sensor! Whilst I clean my sensor fairly regularly, I've usually got some hanging around!

Options:
1. Clean. Ideally with a proper kit/brush tho' some have successfully used makeup brushes (not an option I'd use but then my sensor is different to others)

2. Get good at cloning/healing in PS. CS2 is very good with it's Spot Healing Brush (tho' I usually stick to CS, so use Clone tool)

**Markulous** · 19-02-2007, 11:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMitchell

Can I blow it with my lungs?

NOT recommended! Breathe contains moisture which may condense on sensor, sticking dust to sensor. (You may also accidentally spit, tho' I'm far too polite to suggest you might!)

JMitchell · 19-02-2007, 11:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Markulous

NOT recommended! Breathe contains moisture which may condense on sensor, sticking dust to sensor. (You may also accidentally spit, tho' I'm far too polite to suggest you might!)

Hehehehe, well you never know! Am going to Jessops today to get a mini tripod, and possibly try out some lenses. You think they'll clean it for free? (yeah.....right) But might they?

**Markulous** · 19-02-2007, 11:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMitchell

Hehehehe, well you never know! Am going to Jessops today to get a mini tripod, and possibly try out some lenses. You think they'll clean it for free? (yeah.....right) But might they?

Look..... up there......... in the sky......... flying pigs!

Another option is Focus - quite often someone, somewhere will be demoing their product - get in line!

JMitchell · 19-02-2007, 11:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Markulous

Look..... up there......... in the sky......... flying pigs!

Another option is Focus - quite often someone, somewhere will be demoing their product - get in line!

Mark, a little off the subject, you wouldn't mind showing me a pic of your sigma 70-300 attached to your camera, both completely extended and completely not would you? Thanks!

silver · 19-02-2007, 11:29

does it appear on images?

if it shows at the top of the image then it's at the bottom of the sensor - I think?

have you taken the lens off and looked to see if you can see it - will need some way to trip the shutter (I think the d50 has a sensor clean setting in the menu?) be very careful, don't touch the mirror or anything inside with fingers or anything which could scratch,.

a kit to clean the sensor can be done for less than 10 quid,. it does require some patience and reading up a bit on technique and things to avoid etc..

Sil

JMitchell · 19-02-2007, 11:36

It is indeed on the bottom of the sensor. I just checked. It's a tiny little hair, like the billions of those that you get in my house. Gah, annoying. Might try and get some cleany or something at Jessops.

**Markulous** · 19-02-2007, 11:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMitchell

Mark, a little off the subject, you wouldn't mind showing me a pic of your sigma 70-300 attached to your camera, both completely extended and completely not would you? Thanks!

Done. Link only here (as not a very exciting picture!)
http://www.pixalo.com/gallery/showph...o=7029&cat=500

Gary Bagshawe · 19-02-2007, 11:54

Ive have removed hair before on the sensor by selecting a really fast shutter speed and fast drive setting then waving the camera about whilst firing the shutter. Looked like a total lunatic, (nothing new there then) But it did work, if the hair is loose and not stuck it may well dislodge it.

JMitchell · 19-02-2007, 11:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary Bagshawe

Ive have removed hair before on the sensor by selecting a really fast shutter speed and fast drive setting then waving the camera about whilst firing the shutter. Looked like a total lunatic, (nothing new there then) But it did work, if the hair is loose and not stuck it may well dislodge it.

Drive setting? If I work out what that is I might well try that.

ALSO: THANKS ALOT TO MARK!!! Exactly what I wanted...now for the Tamron

19-02-2007, 10:44	#1 (permalink)
JMitchell Feet under the table Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: London, England Posts: 3,433	Sensor dust Hi guys, The horribly inevitable has happened; I have some sensor dust. It's a hair like line at the top of the sensor, and obviously is prevalent at focal lengths of about 25-29. What do I do? Can I just take the lens out and kind of blow on the sensor? DIdn't think so.... It's annoying but does not notice too much. Would like to get rid of it though. Help? I would also prefer not to have to spend money on kits etc. as that is something I don't have a lot of right now.... Thanks, Jack M (PS: It's a D50) __________________ Jack Mitchell "We accept the reality with which we are presented" - - New website, online, but still in progress!

19-02-2007, 10:58	#2 (permalink)
stepheno Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 6,486	Re: Sensor dust I'm not familiar with the D50 but first off I would, as you say, remove the lens and try to blow out the offending hair/dust. I would recommend a Giottos Rocket Blower - do not use compressed air. If that doesn't remove it then you may well have to clean the sensor. But, try the blower first.

19-02-2007, 11:05	#4 (permalink)
Markulous Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Peak District Posts: 9,608	Re: Sensor dust Ahh, dust on the sensor! Whilst I clean my sensor fairly regularly, I've usually got some hanging around! Options: 1. Clean. Ideally with a proper kit/brush tho' some have successfully used makeup brushes (not an option I'd use but then my sensor is different to others) 2. Get good at cloning/healing in PS. CS2 is very good with it's Spot Healing Brush (tho' I usually stick to CS, so use Clone tool)

19-02-2007, 11:29	#9 (permalink)
silver Been here a while Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 321	Re: Sensor dust does it appear on images? if it shows at the top of the image then it's at the bottom of the sensor - I think? have you taken the lens off and looked to see if you can see it - will need some way to trip the shutter (I think the d50 has a sensor clean setting in the menu?) be very careful, don't touch the mirror or anything inside with fingers or anything which could scratch,. a kit to clean the sensor can be done for less than 10 quid,. it does require some patience and reading up a bit on technique and things to avoid etc.. Sil

19-02-2007, 11:36	#10 (permalink)
JMitchell Feet under the table Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: London, England Posts: 3,433	Re: Sensor dust It is indeed on the bottom of the sensor. I just checked. It's a tiny little hair, like the billions of those that you get in my house. Gah, annoying. Might try and get some cleany or something at Jessops.

19-02-2007, 11:54	#12 (permalink)
Gary Bagshawe Rep Point Winner 07 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Sheffield UK Posts: 2,231	Re: Sensor dust Ive have removed hair before on the sensor by selecting a really fast shutter speed and fast drive setting then waving the camera about whilst firing the shutter. Looked like a total lunatic, (nothing new there then) But it did work, if the hair is loose and not stuck it may well dislodge it.

19-02-2007, 12:02	#14 (permalink)
Markulous Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Peak District Posts: 9,608