Dirty Sensor, advice needed.

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Manninagh

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Hi Folks, I’m in need of some advice please.
For a couple of months I’ve noticed a small spot on most of the photographs I’ve taken using my Canon 500D. To me it looked like a grease spot on the sensor. Tonight I’ve been a Googling and found this very good site.

http://www.cleaningdigitalcameras.com/

After reading through it, I made a test image.

Sensor1.jpg



As you can see there are four spots visible, but only the top right one appears in any photographs.
What do you think is causing these spots? Grease or maybe water marks? I can’t remember ever changing a lens on a wet day outside at all. Is it possible there is some grease from inside the camera dripped onto the sensor?

After reading the above web site I’m confident that I could clean the sensor successfully, but I would like to identify the cause.

What make and type of equipment, have you successfully used and can you recommend a supplier?

Thank you.
 
If it's oil, it could well be from the shutter mechanism; but most of the time it's just simply dust particles falling on to your sensor.

Usually, the narrower the aperture (f/16, f/22 etc.) the more visible these get; hence why I often opt to shoot at f/8 or less (for other reasons as well).

I'd first try to use a wider aperture, you may find that they don't appear in your shot at, say, f/8 etc. That way, you'll just have to adjust your technique and avoid narrow apertures.

If that fails, or if you really must use f/16 upwards, then try a rocket blower, see if that sorts them out.

If none of these help, use a liquid cleaning kit ... I believe I use a brand called visible dust; you can easily find them on warehouseexpress.

Hope this helps.
 
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if its dust the arctic butterfly is worth a try - personally i dont like the blower IME it just blows dust about often winding up with more on the sensor than before
 
Almost certainly just dust. It will happen, however carefull you are.
Buy a visible dust cleaning swab kit and give it a wipe, problem will be solved.
Or just shoot at a wider aperture, or when you cant do that, just clone them out in PS.
4 spots is nothing really, mine is a lot, lot worse.
 
I cleaned my sensor last year using what I believe is commonly known as the "Copperhill method" (google should find the details).

I used Eclipse fluid (about £10 for a fairly large bottle) and a pack of "Pec Pads" (about £10 for a pack of 100) and made my own cleaning stick/wand from a silicone spatula.

It should last me a lifetime!
 
If it's dust, then a Lenspen Sensorklear works well and not expensive.
 
Thanks for all the response's,
I put the camera in sensor cleaning mode and used my rocket blower. I found it a bit difficult to hold the camera and the blower though.
A quick blow has removed two of the spots, my oppo will be around this evening and with him holding the camera I'm hoping to get rid of the other two spots

I think I will be buying a some Pec pads and Eclipse fluid for the future.

Andyred............ I have seen a Lenspen Sensorklear pen advertised and thought about one. The little I have read about sensor cleaning doesn't recommend "dry" cleaning, have you used the pen a lot with sucess and no problems?
 
Manninagh said:
Andyred............ I have seen a Lenspen Sensorklear pen advertised and thought about one. The little I have read about sensor cleaning doesn't recommend "dry" cleaning, have you used the pen a lot with sucess and no problems?
Click to expand...

Hi

Yes cleaned the sensor on my other body a couple of times now with no issue at all. Obviously it's no good for oily residue, but for dust, no problems at all.
 
You could also try mapping out those two spots with the Canon software until such times that there is no choice but to get it cleaned.
 
I did think about mapping out the spots, but would really like a clean sensor.
I've ordered Pec Pads, Eclipse etc.
I'm suprised at the dust on the sensor after only fourteen months, I have always been very particular when changing a lens.

I suppose it's inevitable that some dust will get in the camera, so I'm planning a monthly test image and cleaning if necessary.

Thank you all for your input.
 
dust is inevitable, I'm afraid you can't do anything to stop it, no matter how careful you are . That images actually looks pretty clean. This photo is from mine after 14 months

Screen_Shot_2012-02-20_at_15_32_17.jpg


white circles are where I've cloned the dust
 
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