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SezzySue
22nd of March 2006 (Wed), 15:16
Today I cleaned my sensor. While the picture looks just fine (in the link provided) when I look through the viewfinder there is a spot in the lower left corner. I have no idea what it is and why it won't fo away. Can anyone hwlp me? Should I take it in? I used to think it was my sensor but it isn't in my photos just the viewfinder and never moves. This is a picture taken at 30mm, should I take another at around 17mm to be certain it is all clean?

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b249/SezzySue/sensorcleaningJPG.jpg
Tee Why
22nd of March 2006 (Wed), 15:35
The spot you see is on the focus screen, which sits above the mirror, or less likely on the mirror itself. Try airbulb blowing those areas.
It won't affect your image as it is not on the sensor. If you can't blow it off, don't worry. I've got two on my N.
SezzySue
22nd of March 2006 (Wed), 16:01
how do I do that is there directions? I used the direction to clean the sensor but the mirror moved. how to I clean the mirror and focusing screen/ Does the pic I gave look clean?
SkipD
22nd of March 2006 (Wed), 16:23
Sarah = to test for sensor dust, you really should be aiming the camera at a featureless sky or a wall with no stuff on it. It is easy to miss spots in the clouds in the shot you posted. Also - make sure you crank the aperture as tight as it will go (maximum f-stop number in Av mode) when making a dust-test shot.

I agree that the stuff you see in your viewfinder is most likely on the underside of the focussing screen - just above the mirror. Blow it out - do NOT get in there with any sort of swab.

Also, be EXTREMELY careful to not touch the surface of the mirror. That mirror is front-surfaced, and is nothing like a bathroom mirror which has the reflective material behind glass. You can damage it very easily.
DavidW
24th of March 2006 (Fri), 06:44
The usual technique I've heard of to test for sensor dust is to go into Av mode, minimum aperture (f/22 on my EF 24-70mm f/2.8L), ISO 100, point at a featureless ceiling, optionally defocus, fire the shutter and wave the camera around.

You finish up with a shot that's pretty much white, apart from any sensor dust.



David
SezzySue
24th of March 2006 (Fri), 09:49
well I gotit clean and it is shooting beautifully again. I even got the spot on the focusing screen, thank to m dh. Thanks for the help everyone. Have a week week I am off to San Diego.