Dust 'UFO' questions?

[HLA91]

Hi everyone

My new camera Canon 400D arrived yesterday so I took it out for a spin today using my brothers 18-55mm lens and when I arrived home I realised that there is some dust problems with the camera.
It was bought second hand excellent condition from a legit camera seller on eBay >Item here<.
Anyway as I was flicking through the pictures I noticed on one picture of the bay a very noticeable dust spot which is less visible on other photos and sometimes non-existent on others.

Bad Photo

Not so bad photo

I tried brushing the mirror and using a blower but no results so I used the "dust delete data" and from taking some pictures of a bright light, the dust is visible in the viewfinder but gone in the pictures.
Test shot #1

Test shot #2

Hopefully the Dust Delete Data will keep the problem at bay but would you recommend getting a professional sensor clean if it returns, as you can see its a large spec, my father said it was a UFO and asked whether it was possible to return the camera but I don't think I have a leg to stand on as it was second hand.

Many thanks

HLA91

 

[JulesP]

Its just dust on the sensor - if you look closely at the first photo there are quite a few specks. Its to be expected on a DSLR.
You can get a sensor clean or you can easily do it yourself. First time it can be a bit buttock clenching but its easy to do.
Quick edit to show most of them - not easy with dust on a grey background

 

[MWHCVT]

Its just dust on the sensor - if you look closely at the first photo there are quite a few specks. Its to be expected on a DSLR.
You can get a sensor clean or you can easily do it yourself. First time it can be a bit buttock clenching but its easy to do.

And to go a little further while I've not checked the exif you will find that dust spot's will be a lot more visible when your shooting at smaller apertures

 

[Phil V]

Just to add to what Matthew said, the specks you see in the viewfinder are insignificant and won't appear on images.

 

[HoppyUK]

And to go a little further while I've not checked the exif you will find that dust spot's will be a lot more visible when your shooting at smaller apertures

Smaller apertures means higher f/numbers. They're best avoided anyway as diffraction reduces sharpness, noticeable at anything higher than f/11.

 

[HLA91]

I have no clue what aperture was used I had the camera on P. So just forget about the dust then seen as the "Dust Delete System" seems to have dealt with it (I think it has but then again I didn't see all those dust spots on the photo of the bay only the really bad one, my eyesight isn't very good even with my glasses) or should I get it cleaned for a fresh start or 'could' I send it back?


EDIT: the Dusty photo was shot @ F11 and speed 1/250, the second bay photo was F6.3 and 1/1000. I used a blower on the sensor, and I erased the "Dust Delete Data", I set my aperture to 22 and shot a white computer screen (saw a guide on web to seeing dust) and the biggest UFO is still there, so is a proper clean the only step to go now?
Thanks

HLA91

 

[TCR4x4]

Either live with it and just clone it out in software, or buy a cleaning swab kit. If its only one or two spots, I'd just leave it, as you'll likely make it worse.

Once it gets to much to clone out in software, then consider cleaning it. I clean mine maybe once every six months.

The higher your f/ number, the more they will show, so just remember that when shooting. If you shoot above f/8, you'll have a bit of work to do to clone them out, below that and you probably won't see it.

 

[HLA91]

I am not very confident fiddling with f numbers. My local camera shop said he will dry clean it for £10 and wet clean if it needs it for max £25, but he did say contact the seller and see if he will refund a portion to cover the cleaning costs. Also just realised the battery that was included is a Jessops 630mAh as opposed to the 1200mAh which explains poor battery life :-(

 

[TCR4x4]

A dry clean is no more than a blow with a rocket blower. You can buy yourself a rocket blower for less money. I certainly wouldn't waste money getting a shop to do it.

 

[HLA91]

I tried a blower but didn't budge them and an arctic butterfly is out of my budget currently.

 

[4wd]

http://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-digipads-starter-kit-type-4-for-1-0x/p1016581

This kit for just over £10 is affordable and will give you several goes probably lasting at least a year.
My 5Dii had a couple of specks when it came new, it just happens - but no need to be cleaning it every time one appears.
A rocket blower will sometimes shift dust which is often initially attracted by static.

 

[Nod]

I tried a blower but didn't budge them and an arctic butterfly is out of my budget currently.

Hi,

You don't list a location but if you do, it's just possible that a kindly member here would be willing to meet up with you and help you through a contact clean (I did a wet clean on a sensor on my old D200 and just succeeded in smearing the oil spots over the sensor rather than removing them. Thought I had damaged it so tried a LensPen SensorKlear which removed the smears and left the sensor clear as a pane of polished glass! Oil spots tend to only be a problem with new cameras - they're caused by a slight excess of lubricant used when assembling the mirror box.) They should also be able to talk you through the affect aperture settings have on a picture too.

If you're in the South West and can make it to Exeter, I would be willing to offer a little of my time to help you out, ideally mid week, although I do sometimes have time at weekends.

 

[HLA91]

I'm in South Wales presently, the seller has offered to pay 50% of the wet clean cost so I will be taking it to my local camera outfit today to have that done. I did look at one of those pens on amazon but there were a number of bad reviews (for the angled version) but I suppose its down to technique I will put one straight version on my Christmas list along with a new battery.

 

[aeronic]

I've been very happy with spare batteries for 7dayshop. Have a look at them very reasonably priced.