Spots

skiking

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Help! I've only had my D750 and 24-70mm for a few weeks and already I am seeing spots on the image. I've given both the camera and lens a visual inspection but I can't see anything. The central 'spot' is pretty much constant in position. These generally only appear when I stop down past f8.

Any advice on whether its a mark on the sensor or the lens itself and any advice on how to get rid of it?
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Can't be sure but both of the spots look exactly like ones I had on my sensor. Do you have (or have access to) another lens you could try just to make sure, but if I had to put money on it, I'd say they are on the sensor.

Easy enough to get rid with a cleaning kit but as you have had the camera only a few weeks and if you bought it from a shop perhaps they would do it for free.

Dave
 
Not likely to be a mark on the sensor. Start by taking a "Dust reference photo" (the manual describes that) and use the cameras own sensor cleaning tool for removing dust. If that does not work then use a rocket blower to dislodge any dust (mirror lock up required).

If that fails then you will need to weigh up the pros and cons of a sensor clean against dealing with the spots during processing.
 
Thanks for the quick replies. I've got a couple of lenses I could try (why didn't I think of that!) so will give that a go.

As for removing the spots during PP, well, yes I did think of that so I cranked up the PC and Elements 10. Trouble is Elements doesn't recognise D750 RAW files - Arrggghhh!!!:banghead: So did a quick 'Google' and found a download - yes I thought, nice a quick fix. Trouble is you need Windows 7 or above and I'm running Vista. I went past the Arrrgggghhhh stage and went straight to FFS!!!!:banghead::banghead:
 
Thanks for the quick replies. I've got a couple of lenses I could try (why didn't I think of that!) so will give that a go.

As for removing the spots during PP, well, yes I did think of that so I cranked up the PC and Elements 10. Trouble is Elements doesn't recognise D750 RAW files - Arrggghhh!!!:banghead: So did a quick 'Google' and found a download - yes I thought, nice a quick fix. Trouble is you need Windows 7 or above and I'm running Vista. I went past the Arrrgggghhhh stage and went straight to FFS!!!!:banghead::banghead:
Doubt if it is something on the lens. Small foreign bodies on a lens are so far out of focus that they are not observable on a picture.
 
They're on the sensor, and too small to be seen with a naked eye inspection. Clean it - it's a good practice to learn since it'll have to be done sooner or later. And practice avoidance techniques like where and how you change lenses.

I wouldn't rate in-camera 'cleaning' since it can only move material (if at all) within the mirror box, and you really want to get rid of it from the camera. So it's really down to manual intervention. Make sure you have a fully charged battery before locking up the mirror (or use a mains adapter).
 
Swapped over lenses (35mm) and took a close photo at infinity of a white background (dust ref photo) and there are two spots visible when I stop down to f22. When I put the 24-70mm back on and repeat the test the original 2 spots are there plus a couple more. Tried the Image Dust off ref photo setting and the Clean image sensor settings on the camera put to no avail.

Looks like I will need to clean the sensor.

Thanks for your help guys.
 
I would buy a Rocket Blower and give it a really good blow before cleaning the sensor, its
surprising what they will blow out, a must have bit of kit.
 
Just blow it with a rocket blower, only a few bits of dust on the sensor.
 
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If I have to clean the sensor what are the recommendations? Don't really want to go and buy some dodgy stuff off fleebay and make things even worse!
 
As said, just get a rocket blower and blow the dust off.

It's quick and easy, doesn't physically touch the sensor and cleans it all off 99% of the time.
 
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I read an article long ago which said that much of the stuff that ends up on the "sensor" is not from the outside world but internally generated, oil spots, tiny little bits that come off the moving parts etc... and I'm sure that's true. Also stuff can find it's way into the camera and onto the sensor by means other than through the lens mount or through the lens mount via the lens so even if you never change lenses you'll almost certainly see dust bunnies sooner of later.

Some cameras do seem to be worse than others and not to appear too smug... my mirrorless cameras are brilliant for avoiding this and much much better than any of the DSLR's I've owned.
 
If you've got dust spots after the rocket blower and you feel that you need to clean the sensor then I can recommend visible dust sensor swabs and eclipse fluid.

First time I used a swab it made it all worse and I was :eek: thinking Oh No!! I used three swabs before I was happy with my efforts and yes, there are still a couple of marks when I stop down to f22 !! At f8 I can't see them and any worries are dealt with in Lightroom :D
 
Tried the blower and it didn't improve things significantly. Actually I may have made it worse! I invested in the visible kit and a quick swipe on the sensor and all looks good and clean.

Many thanks for the advice.
 
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