SENSOR
Posted 06/08/2007 - 21:52 - Helpful Comment
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Hello and welcome to the forum.
Yes, you can clean the sensor yourself - there are suitable kits available from dealers. Sometimes, inevitably, some dust gets on to the sensor and it can be quite annoying.
The best cure is to keep the dust at bay as much as possible. So always turn off the camera before changing lenses. Change lenses in clean areas away from wind and dust. Keep the camera pointing down to minimise the chance of dust ingress whilst a lens is being changed.
This will help, but every time you press the shutter there are a mass of moving parts within the camera and the potential is there for dust to be stirred up.
I have been using DSLRs for maybe 3 years or so now, and so far have not had to clean a semsor, but it's just luck, helped by sensible technique as detailed above.
Yes, you can clean the sensor yourself - there are suitable kits available from dealers. Sometimes, inevitably, some dust gets on to the sensor and it can be quite annoying.
The best cure is to keep the dust at bay as much as possible. So always turn off the camera before changing lenses. Change lenses in clean areas away from wind and dust. Keep the camera pointing down to minimise the chance of dust ingress whilst a lens is being changed.
This will help, but every time you press the shutter there are a mass of moving parts within the camera and the potential is there for dust to be stirred up.
I have been using DSLRs for maybe 3 years or so now, and so far have not had to clean a semsor, but it's just luck, helped by sensible technique as detailed above.
Best regards, John
Posted 06/08/2007 - 22:03
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John, I still find it amazing that you've never had any dust on your sensor. I'd be really interested in seeing a pic of a blue sky or white wall at f/16 or f/22 to see how dust free 'dust free' is for you.
I wouldn't say I've ever really had a problem with dust, but I do get dust on my sensor. I've found the K10D cleans up much easier than the *istD, with just a quick few blasts of the rocket blower rather than the sensor swabs I used to use.
Dan
I wouldn't say I've ever really had a problem with dust, but I do get dust on my sensor. I've found the K10D cleans up much easier than the *istD, with just a quick few blasts of the rocket blower rather than the sensor swabs I used to use.
Dan
K-3, a macro lens and a DA*300mm...
Posted 06/08/2007 - 22:07
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Dan, just for you I will do the requested test and we shall see....
You might be amazed, or alternatively I might have to hang my head in shame and retreat back to my darkroom.
As soon as I can I'll post something, but it's likely to be a few days.
You might be amazed, or alternatively I might have to hang my head in shame and retreat back to my darkroom.
As soon as I can I'll post something, but it's likely to be a few days.
Best regards, John
Posted 06/08/2007 - 22:16
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OK, here's a sky shot at f8, perhaps that will do for now:
Pentax K10D, SMC Pentax-DA 16-45mm, 1/350s, f8
Pentax K10D, SMC Pentax-DA 16-45mm, 1/350s, f8
Best regards, John
Posted 06/08/2007 - 22:18
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No shame if it's not as you expect, it's just that dust has never encroached on you pics, and undoubtedly your methodical and careful lens changes will have helped enourmously there.
I on the other hand are often in the middle of a windy meadow, or grubbing around in the dirt, so I can only expect dust to be evident now and again.
Dan
I on the other hand are often in the middle of a windy meadow, or grubbing around in the dirt, so I can only expect dust to be evident now and again.
Dan
K-3, a macro lens and a DA*300mm...
Posted 06/08/2007 - 22:19
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Oh, posts crossed, but I can't see the pic.
Dan
Dan
K-3, a macro lens and a DA*300mm...
Posted 06/08/2007 - 22:21
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I had a dust problem with my *istD but got quite used to cleaning it effectively.
I used to test for dust by shooting a white wall in good light without a lens attached. I got into the habit of doing that before any significant shoot.
After several thousand exposures on the K10D, I've not yet noticed a single dust spec. I'm quite impressed with that.
I used to test for dust by shooting a white wall in good light without a lens attached. I got into the habit of doing that before any significant shoot.
After several thousand exposures on the K10D, I've not yet noticed a single dust spec. I'm quite impressed with that.
lenscape
K20D, K10D, K-m, MZ3, Metz 58-AF1, Optio MX4 & Linux.(No Windows)
(Gone: *istD, ME Super, Super-A)
K20D, K10D, K-m, MZ3, Metz 58-AF1, Optio MX4 & Linux.(No Windows)
(Gone: *istD, ME Super, Super-A)
Posted 06/08/2007 - 22:23
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Quote:
I used to test for dust by shooting a white wall in good light without a lens attached.
Dust shows up more at small apertures, so I would have thought that this test was less likely to show dust than with a lens attached. I'll have to try it.I used to test for dust by shooting a white wall in good light without a lens attached.
Dan
K-3, a macro lens and a DA*300mm...
Posted 06/08/2007 - 22:29
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Quote:
Oh, posts crossed, but I can't see the pic.
Try refreshing the page, but posting pics does seem a little fraught at times. This should be OK, I posted it on pBase.
Oh, posts crossed, but I can't see the pic.
Best regards, John
Posted 06/08/2007 - 23:17
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Can see it if I copy the URL into a new window.
Think there's a dust spot dead centre, but well blurred due to the aperture. Could be wrong, but there's definitely a bit of a shadow there...
Dan
Think there's a dust spot dead centre, but well blurred due to the aperture. Could be wrong, but there's definitely a bit of a shadow there...
Dan
K-3, a macro lens and a DA*300mm...
Posted 06/08/2007 - 23:30
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I'm not sure - no shadow on other images in the same place - it's certainly not a problem on prints. This is only a tiny section of the overall image, perhaps 15% of the area of the CCD.
I'll try a more critical test when I can.
I'll try a more critical test when I can.
Best regards, John
Posted 07/08/2007 - 08:27
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Quote:
Think there's a dust spot dead centre, but well blurred due to the aperture. Could be wrong, but there's definitely a bit of a shadow there...
I agree. A third of the way up the blue, immediately above the pointy bit of the main cloud in the middle.Think there's a dust spot dead centre, but well blurred due to the aperture. Could be wrong, but there's definitely a bit of a shadow there...
And a fainter one to its left, about 1cm over and down a bit. And another one half way up the flagpole, just a few mm to the left.
Sorry John.
Quite a small file though - are JPEG artefacts a possibility?
Posted 07/08/2007 - 09:25
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It's till not bad enough for John to have to clean his sensor though. A bit of cloning is all that is needed.
Having seen the state of a wildlife professional's sensor I am far more relaxed about mine now.
I have cleaned mine once, when cloning began too take up too much time and didn't always work. There's dust on it again now but it can wait a while.
Having seen the state of a wildlife professional's sensor I am far more relaxed about mine now.
I have cleaned mine once, when cloning began too take up too much time and didn't always work. There's dust on it again now but it can wait a while.
Posted 07/08/2007 - 09:40
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I have cleaned mine once, when cloning began too take up too much time and didn't always work. There's dust on it again now but it can wait a while.
I tend to give it a blast with the rocket blower as soon as I notice some, in case it somehow sticks more fast if I leave it. No idea whether it would, but so far, touch wood, I haven't had any dust that won't shift with the blower.I have cleaned mine once, when cloning began too take up too much time and didn't always work. There's dust on it again now but it can wait a while.
I've had to do it about four or five times in the six months or so I've had the camera. I usually give the inner element of the lens a blast or two as well at the same time.
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12 posts
19 years
London
I HAVE A*IST DL 2 WHICH IS 8 MONTHS OLD
WHICH HAS JUST COME BACK FROM PENTAX AS THE SENSOR HAD TO BE CLEANED IS THIS NORMAL FOR A CAMERA THIS NEW
AND CAN I CLEAN IT MYSELF