Major Dust Problems

[Craig182]

Iv not long had my Pentax but iv got pretty major Dust problems already.. Cant see it on dark pictures but as soon as you take a picture of sky then BOOM Like little hairs on my picture. I guess its dust on the sensor i have bought a Giottos but that hasn't really helped below is a pic of the evidence...

I guess this happens alot so any tips on how to get rid of this problem would be great.

 

[Musicman]

* checks EXIF *

Don't shoot at f/18 unless you have to. It makes dust ten times more visible (and you'll be running into diffraction making the image softer anyhow)

There's a multitude of products for cleaning the sensor (wet cleaning, Arctic Butterfly and Lenspen SensorKlear to name three).

However, I believe the K-R has built in dust removal feature. Have you turned it on?

 

[Craig182]

* checks EXIF *

Don't shoot at f/18 unless you have to. It makes dust ten times more visible (and you'll be running into diffraction making the image softer anyhow)

There's a multitude of products for cleaning the sensor (wet cleaning, Arctic Butterfly and Lenspen SensorKlear to name three).

However, I believe the K-R has built in dust removal feature. Have you turned it on?

Yea it has a Dust removal but all it does is vibrate the camera abit. Doesnt seem to shift the dust though, ok ill try not to shoot at f/18 ill give that ago.

 

[sep9001]

Lenspen sensorklear is good to get rid of the dust bunnies.

Sent from my HTC Hero using TP Forums

 

[arclight]

Yea it has a Dust removal but all it does is vibrate the camera abit. Doesnt seem to shift the dust though, ok ill try not to shoot at f/18 ill give that ago.

Make sure the camera is upright when the DR operates (set it to operate every start up if possible) since there will be a sticky pad below the sensor to trap dust shaken off (the DR vibrates the sensor).
I had a Pentax K20d for over a year and never had a spec of dust visibible on a shot.
Be sure you have a sound routine for changing lenses to minimise the risk of dust entry.
Be carefull where you change lenses.
Minimise the time rear elements and camera body are open.
If you see dust on the rear end of a lens clean it before mounting.
Change lenses with the camera facing down.
Try a rocket blower before doing a sensor clean.

 

[da_nige]

I've used Dust Aid for years with no problems. Since getting my 1DIV I haven't had to use it though. I originally bought it because I was a student and it was the cheapest option.

Neil

 

[Nod]

Yea it has a Dust removal but all it does is vibrate the camera abit. Doesnt seem to shift the dust though, ok ill try not to shoot at f/18 ill give that ago.

Not sure what the Pentax manual says but my D700 also has a sensor shaking cleaning cycle and they suggest that the camera is placed on a solid surface so that all the vibrations are transfered to thecamera not wasted - might be worth a try?

 

[tijuana taxi]

Could be something more worrying if its a K-5, first batch had sensor contamination and were exchanged for new cameras

 

[flossie]

Read the EXIF - its a Kx.

I had the same problem as the OP (despite all the DR settings being on) with my Kx. Started this time last year - caused by pollen contamination when changing lenses.

....Entirely cured by an Artic Butterfly!

p.s.
your date is set wrong, unless this is very old photo!

p.p.s.
You are getting F/18 as you are shooting in Shutter Priority at ISO 200. I'd suggest setting Auto Iso 200-800 to start with to give yourself more lattitude - take advantage of that sensor!

 

[Brightstone]

have you tried the 'sensor clean' mode with an air blower? havenot used a KX, but i think Pentax camera after K20D should come with this. compared with my last dusty sensor, it does not look awful.