Image Spots...Little Help Please

[Gonebrdn]

I'm getting three circular spots on my images--noticeable on sky shots only. I assume it's noticeable on sky shots only is because of the uniformity of the color; it's undoubtedly there on others as well but not noticeable without magnification due to texture.

The spots are just a little darker blue than surrounding sky (whatever the hue) and circular. They can be covered with a 50 px brush in Photoshop and fixed...but I'm wondering what they are? I'm new to digital and am guessing my sensor needs a touch up cleaning...but any experienced comment here would be appreciated.

Many thanks......

[Cadwell]

Sounds like dust on the sensor... but post a picture so that we can see.

[Gonebrdn]

Here's an example--but I don't know if it will be noticeable given size, etc.... Taken with a 10D, 24-85 USM with polarizing filter by the way........

This image is about 20 percent of the original pedestrian shot, enhanced to show the spots and at low res for quick transfer.

Thanks for your interest......

[Leon van Batenburg]

Dust...most likely. Buy a bottle of compressed air, clean the sensor according to manual.

[Cadwell]

I'd put money on that being sensor dust.

Don't use compressed air on a sensor. To quote from the Canon 10D manual
Never use cleaning sprays or blower sprays. The pressure and freezing action of the
spray gas may damage the surface of the image sensor.

Use a hand blower bulb, as per the manual. If that doesn't work then I use the technique detailed here Copperhill Method (http://www.pbase.com/copperhill/ccd_cleaning)

Good luck!

[Gonebrdn]

Thanks very large to you both.

Being new to sensor-world I was looking for the voice of experience.

[scottbergerphoto]

Never, Never, Never (get the idea?) use canned air inside a camera. I made the mistake of doing that in a Nikon F5 a few years ago when I was dumber then I am today and it took two days to clean the liquid residue from my mirror and pentaprism.
Get a Rocket Blower.
Scott

[drisley]

Yup, that is sensor dust.
Rocket Blower should do the trick (works for me)

[tim]

Try the blower first, if it doesn't work, get the kit for the copperhill method that's linked above.

[Leon van Batenburg]

I've used canned air on many occasions, without any problems. As do Canon personnel, for that matter. Only thing is to know HOW to use it. Never (etc.) point straight in/on fragile surfaces. Two 'tricks':

Start the airflow before pointing at the 'target' area
Always keep a respectable distance from the object. Let the air flow come from a certain distance, to avoid spray residue and impact damage
Handle fragile items with care!

:)

[tim]

I wouldn't risk it myself, it costs to much to take chances given all the "don't do it" recommendations, especially when there are alternatives availble.

[Mills]

I've used canned air on many occasions, without any problems. As do Canon personnel, for that matter. Only thing is to know HOW to use it. Never (etc.) point straight in/on fragile surfaces. Two 'tricks':

Start the airflow before pointing at the 'target' area
Always keep a respectable distance from the object. Let the air flow come from a certain distance, to avoid spray residue and impact damage
Handle fragile items with care!

:)

No thanks. I'm with Cadwell, Scott & Tim.

Try the Sensor Brush or the Copperhill method.

[RJSorensen]

Can't help with getting them off . . . but that is dust for sure.

[FlyingPete]

I do mine upside down with the theory that the dust wall fall out instead of being just moved around by the blower, I'm also siding against compressed air!

[Gonebrdn]

I went through the appropriate process to look at my sensor--sure enough, dust. A pocket blower solved the issue. Thanks again for diagnosis for the newbie.


And, no--I wouldn't chance canned air on something as fragile as a cmos apparently is.