KR Stain

https://www.pentaxuser.com/photo/stain-43337

Had a cursory look all over, sensor and mirror. Cant see anything. What is the procedure now

It doesn't look like a sensor stain to me, more a bit of dust ot a hair fragment that is resting on the sensor. Use the dust removal feature, several times if necessary.

Failing that, a Rocket Blower may dislodge whatever it is.

Failing that, a cleaning kit or professional clean.

Is it a simple job to clean the sensor. Do I need a special kit.

Pentax make a kit and others on here have their own favourite kits.

But first, has the camea's dust removal system helped?

I've had a look at Surfseen's picture and this is definitely not a sensor stain, it is a small fibre or hair on the sensor. It is common to get this and should be no problem to remove with a rocket blower. I would avoid giving the sensor a wet clean if possible, but if this is required I use pec pads and a wooden spatula with a flat end which I make from something like a clean lollipop stick or other similar small piece of smooth wood. Wrap the pec pad carefully around the end of the stick and moisten it slightly with isopropyl alcohol. It must not be 'wet' only 'damp'.

Pull it gently across the sensor making sure the edges are wiped. Before you do this make sure there's no dust on the sensor or you may risk scratching the surface.

This is not difficult to do, but you must be careful.

Regards
David

Yes, definitely not a stain. Like many I like the Arctic Butterly. It's not cheap but it pays for itself in the long run. My advice is try a dry clean first and use a swab only when absolutely necessary (usually pollen). http://visibledust.com/

And, like others, I don't like using rocket blowers although there are many who do.

Your other option is to take it to a camera shop. They will probably charge you about £20 - there is no guarantee they will do a better job than you could do yourself, but at least if they damage it then they would be liable.

I've found rocket blowers to cause more problems than improvements and now only use it to blow dust from the front/rear of lenses and dusting my slides/negatives off before scanning them.

More often than not, the rocket blower moves the dust, usually to an even less accessible place like behind the focus screen or onto the prism, rather than remove it.

My preferred solution for the elimination of dust bunnies is the Arctic Butterfly from Visible Dust. I've never had to wet clean my K20D or K5 yet.

Used the dust removal feature several times, but no change. The Arctic Butterfly can be bought in New Zealand, but it is NZ$279. Considering the camera only cost $900 new, and now that it is second hand and probably only worth $500 I would like to try an alternative first.

How about one of those mini computer vacum cleaners, without touching the sensor of course.

Will only touch the sensor as a last resort.

Tempted to try a household vacum cleaner, from a long distance of course, slowly moving closer. Wouldnt want to "suck up the innards"

Andrew, I would stick to John's sequence. If the K-r dust removal is not effective, I would try the blower next. I have had GREAT success using one on my *istDL. Haven't had any problems with my K-r.

Also, assuming (hopefully) you don't have a faulty dust removal feature on your camera (can you feel it shaking?).....I wouldn't stop trying it just because you didn't have success in this situation. Try setting it for activation upon each camera power up. Unless you can't afford the slight lag this will impose on your start up time, I've found it keeps the sensor spot free.

That sounds like a formula for disaster! The fibre will almost certainly be attached to the sensor by static electricity, and vacuum would not detach it unless you had the vacuum tube in contact with the sensor- not advised without a sub-miniature vac system, used extremely expertly & delicately! The artic butterfly however depends on a stronger charge of static electricity to overcome the static on the sensor and attract the fibre off the sensor and onto its "wing" instead.
That IMO is the way to go if the camera's built-in system doesn't do the trick, and you should be able to buy it online for well below the figure you mention.

I wouldn't, as the temptation is to get closer and closer until.....


I tried this method to clean the dust and crumbs? out of my keyboard and managed to suck up one of the keys. Not quite a disaster in the same league as sucking up the sensor as I simply superglued it back on after grubbing through the cleaner bag

regards
Benrard

There is an option where you 'live with it' and clone it out in post-processing, but it could be a lot of work!

I realise the butterfly may cost too but destroying your sensor really is not the answer. Apart from the sensor the camera is full of delicate mechanics which are easily broken. If you mis-align the mirror you will have a substantial repair bill.

The cloning is fine for an odd spot here and there, much better than spotting prints!

Never live with it thinking you can just clone it. When I got my K20D I moved to Spain and then used it for the first time. There was a huge dust bunny visible. There was nowhere around here to even buy a rocket blower so I used to clone each image. Even now I cannot get the spot out of my head when I look at the images - I still 'see' it.