Should I Be Thinking About Sensor Cleaning?

[68lbs]

I am getting a few noticeable spots, especially on landscapes (in the sky) so following instructions in another thread I've done a test shot. Manual focus to infinity, f/32, 30mm, ISO 100, 0.5" exposure.

1. Straight From The Camera (resize and sharpen)

2. PS CS3 Auto Levels (plus resize and sharpen)

 

[puddleduck]

If you need to go to extremes (auto levels) to show the problem, I wouldn't worry about it.

This is just looking for problems IMHO, and for landscape you'll be at f/11 - f/16 anyhow, where they will be much less visible

 

[Flashman]

Agree with Puddleduck... that's a pretty clean sensor and unless you're very good you'll not make it a lot cleaner, may even make it worse.

If it really bothers you, just give it a blast with a relatively safe rocket blower for now and wait until it gets a lot worse before resorting to any of the more invasive cleaners (swabs, visible dust brushes etc).

 

[68lbs]

Thanks, that answers my question perfectly. I wasn't sure whether it was best to do it now before it gets too bad (does the dust sort of 'stick' itself to the sensor the longer it's there?), or whether I'd be likely to make things worse.

 

[Flashman]

does the dust sort of 'stick' itself to the sensor the longer it's there?

Pollen tends to stick and can be stubborn to remove by any method other than a wet swab. Not a lot of pollen about at the moment though!

I've never heard of dust sticking more over time so don't think that's an issue... :shrug: