Help, Specks on pictures.

[Roger]

I took out my 100mm macro lens today and when I got home noticed that I have specks in my pictures.

At first I thought it was my lens, then I remembered seeing specks before but pushed it off as wind blowing Debee or something.

Afterwards I cleaned the 100mm lens and filter but I didn't see anything but a little dust.

Could this be in my camera?


http://r0ger.homedns.org:10000/2006/11/2006_11_04/slides/20061104_0241.html

Is a example but please look through todays pictures and see if you can see a pattern. http://r0ger.homedns.org:10000/2006/11/2006_11_04/index.html


I seem to notice it at higher smaller F stops like f22 and f32.

Here at a past day I saw the same thing, http://r0ger.homedns.org:10000/2006/10/2006_10_26/slides/20061026_0261.html

And using a different lens,

http://r0ger.homedns.org:10000/2006/10/2006_10_05/slides/IMG_0383.html
http://r0ger.homedns.org:10000/2006/10/2006_10_05/slides/IMG_0387.html
http://r0ger.homedns.org:10000/2006/10/2006_10_05/slides/IMG_0400.html

So I need help! What do I do?

Do you think it is a dirty part, or a camera gone bad? if it is a cleaning problem what do I clean? If it is another issue , what do I do?

[Rudi]

First, you need to take a deep breath and stop panicking! :D It's only dust...

Dust on your sensor is all it is. Get yourself one of these (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=259157&is=REG&addedTroughType=search) and follow the instructions in your camera's Owner's manual on how to clean your sensor. Simple! :)

[gluwater]

Don't worry, it is just dust on your sensor. It is unavoidable and you just need to clean your sensor. Try doing a search for "Arctic Butterfly" and "Copperhill Method". They are the two most popular ways to clean your sensor. If you have any questions after you look those up just yell and we'll try to help.

[gluwater]

First, you need to take a deep breath and stop panicking! :D It's only dust...

Dust on your sensor is all it is. Get yourself one of these (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=259157&is=REG&addedTroughType=search) and follow the instructions in your camera's Owner's manual on how to clean your sensor. Simple! :)
That works to. Use the blower for everyday cleaning but if it does not get rid of the stubborn stuck on dust use the methods I mentioned earlier.

[Roger]

Is there a cleaning kit I should buy or a couple of tools other than what you two have already listed?

[gluwater]

Is there a cleaning kit I should buy or a couple of tools other than what you two have already listed?
The Copperhill Method and the Arctic Butterfly are both cleaning kits. Whatever you do be careful. You do not want to take any chances when it comes to your sensor, if it gets damaged it is very expensive to replace. Do your research on those two methods and then report back with questions.

[Roger]

How much do most camera shops charge to have the sensor cleaned? If i decide to go that route, I wouldn't want to get over charged.

[gluwater]

I have never taken mine to get cleaned at a shop but I would expect to pay $30-$40.

[Bobby]

First, just try the blower method. Look in your manual for sensor cleaning. Follow instructions and use the bulb blower, NOT air in a can. After this try a shot and see if it works. If not,plan B, Arctic butterfly or Copperhill.

[imageswest]

Follow instructions and use the bulb blower, NOT air in a can.

Why not canned air? I've been cleaning my sensors this way for about 5 years now, and have never had a problem. There's no risk of harming your sensor, as long as you remember not to shake or tip the can.

Your risk of damage is significantly higher with any method that actually touches the sensor, like the "Copperhill" method, and there is some concern about long-term degradation of the sensor from electrostatic cleaning methods like the Arctic Butterfly.

[Kevin]

I just clone out my dust spots in Photoshop. I'll worry about cleaning the sensor when it gets out of hand. A few spots here or there is no big deal.

[samuelwil]

Kevin.... order yourself a Rocket blower and carry it in your bag. You'll be fine
Sam

[Kevin]

I've got one. I use it occasionally. It just doesn't really bother me that much. When I see one, I just clone it out. :)

[Paul S]

First off, it will always look worse with smaller apertures (higher f-stops, like f/22). This is because there's more DOF with those apertures.

I've never had success with the blowers. I use Sensor Swabs with Eclipse Fluid. In two years of DSLR ownership, I think I've cleaned the camera maybe three times. Using two swabs each time.

-Paul

[Roger]

Which band swabs or sensor pens would everyone recommend? I would either buy at www.onecall.com or www.bhphotovideo.com

[Paul S]

"Photographic Solutions" for the Sensor Swabs. They're the same people who make Pec Pads (for cleaning lenses) and the Eclipse Fluid (which you need to use with the Swabs).

Check their website for a local supplier, though. Eclipse has to be shipped by ground--B&H will ship it by ground, but it will take longer.

-Paul

[Roger]

"Photographic Solutions" for the Sensor Swabs. They're the same people who make Pec Pads (for cleaning lenses) and the Eclipse Fluid (which you need to use with the Swabs).

Check their website for a local supplier, though. Eclipse has to be shipped by ground--B&H will ship it by ground, but it will take longer.

-Paul

Eeeek, like 50 bucks for just the swabs, I just have a rebel, any thing cheaper? :P

[gluwater]

Google is your friend. You will learn more doing research yourself then by asking for the answers. 2nd page listed doing a search for "Copperhill Method (http://www.copperhillimages.com/index.php?pr=products)" in Google. Like I mentioned in my original post. You can get a basic kit that will last you years for $30. They also have tutorials and probably the most information on sensor cleaning on the web.

[Roger]

Ok, I am looking at the SensorSweep Mark II brush, or maybe the CHI Wet/Dry Sensor Cleaning Kit from copperhill, and a rocket blower.

Sound use able?

[Roger]

Ok, I am looking at the SensorSweep Mark II brush, or maybe the CHI Wet/Dry Sensor Cleaning Kit from copperhill, and a rocket blower.

Sound use able?

I picked this up and I did a clean with it and I seemed to get all the noticeable specs out of my pictures.


Thanks for the info.

[dmwphoto]

Roger,
Your quote lists 3 tools. Which one did you use?

[Roger]

Roger,
Your quote lists 3 tools. Which one did you use?

I first tried the rocket blower, which just moved the dust, I then brushed that got all but one or two specs, then I used a swab with cleaner on it.

I did that twice and I got all the dust I could see from my sample pics with my 100 Macro at f22. If i have 1 spec left I can live with that for now. :)

Here is the KIT (http://www.copperhillimages.com/shopping/pgm-more_information.php?id=4) i bought.