PICTURE PROBLEM HELP!

[flam79]

I have to take pictures at a ferrari event on Sunday and I just found these weird black dots in my images. Can someone please tell me what they are?

http://www.hcktechnologies.com/yieyie/dots.jpg

I took several pictures with different lenses and the dots appear in the same place. I JUST got this camera so I don't think ( I hope ) it's dust on the CCD. It's no longer more than 2 months old.
So please help! What is it and how do I get rid of it?
Thanks.

[CyberPet]

Looks like dust on the sensor ya. What aperture did you use? with high numbers (f/11 and up) you'll notice those more than on more wide open apertures.

[flam79]

OH NO. I Guess i was in denial but you are right, Cyberpet..

Here are two more I just took...

http://www.hcktechnologies.com/yieyie/F5.jpg
http://www.hcktechnologies.com/yieyie/F36.jpg

I can't believe it.
I am pretty upset right now; can you please tell me how the least expensive way to remove these dust particles. I JUST got this darn thing! :(

Thanks ...

[blinking8s]

first, get a bulp blower, a hand powered blower, NOT compressed air. See if that takes it off...

as far as cleaning, not the cheapest but the easiest for many...and 12 swabs would last a good long while, pending it doesnt get dirty every day
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=242758&is=REG

could of things to remember, dust off the lens backs, turn the camera off when you change lenses and aim it down, dont leave the lens of it, and DONT use a compressed air duster...

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=NavBar&A=search&Q=&ci=8044 with have a bottle of cleaning solution listed, its the cheapest way, but you have to kind of rig it to clean the sensor, get the pads, solution, break off the wendy's knife to fit the sensor size...hehe....someone will post the link for this i am sure

[Leorooster]

Try using a rubber blower to clean it first. Follow the instruction in your Insturction manual. It should help. If not, you need to wet clean it by using the Copper Hill method:

http://www.pbase.com/copperhill/ccd_cleaning

Good luck!

[tim]

I 2nd what Mr Rooster said - copperhill works great for me.

[flam79]

Thank you for your guys' repsonses.
I currently have that cut with the air brush, lens tissue and lens cleaner liquid.
Is that equivalent to the non abrasive wipes?
Will the airbrush scractch the Sensor?

[tim]

If we didn't tell you to use it, don't use it, as you run the risk of damaging your camera and it won't be covered under warranty. The copperhill kit is very cheap compared with the cost of the camera or camera repairs, I strongly suggest you buy it. If you get the slightly more expensive kit it comes with a blower too.

[flam79]

ok thanks for your advice and your concern guys.
here i go! i'll be sure to share some of those ferrari pics on here when i get back

[CyberPet]

Do you shoot often in f/32? Especially those Ferrari cars? :D

Honestly... it's only going to show with uniform colors and high f-numbers. But if you're worried... buy a good rubber bulb blower... angle the aim a bit, so it's not blowing straight (and nailing the dust, instead of moving it) and blow off that dust from the sensor.

I bought one of those things you find in the farmacy to clear out stuffed ears or noses... they have a thin nozzle (sp?) that's prefect for this... to aim in the right direction.

Just blow with the bulb a few times outside the camera... i.e. get rid of any dust/powder or other dirt that might be in it... you never know, you might make it worse if it's not clean. I blew it about 20 times or so before I aimed it to my sensor in the camera. The improvement was wast (I had a lot more dirt than you), even if all was not gone.

I seldom shoot with f/22, so I hardly notice any dust... but don't worry, it's not as bad as you think. I think some dust comes "pre installed" by Canon. :)

[Bob_A]

but don't worry, it's not as bad as you think. I think some dust comes "pre installed" by Canon. :)

Canon L-Dust ... only the best

[Rob612]

Canon L-Dust ... only the best

Obviously with a red stripe ;)

[PhotosGuy]

Just blow with the bulb a few times outside the camera... i.e. get rid of any dust/powder or other dirt that might be in it... you never know, you might make it worse if it's not clean. I blew it about 20 times or so before I aimed it to my sensor in the camera. The improvement was wast (I had a lot more dirt than you), even if all was not gone.
I seldom shoot with f/22, so I hardly notice any dust... Me either! I almost never get above f/8 so I just ignore it & I change lenses several times a week.
I do suggest that you wrap some tape over the end of the blower though. If you accidently squeeze it in your bag, it will pick up a ton of dust. No one ever vacuums out the inside of their bag! ;-)

[S230]

I have to take pictures at a ferrari event on Sunday and I just found these weird black dots in my images. Can someone please tell me what they are?

I took several pictures with different lenses and the dots appear in the same place. I JUST got this camera so I don't think ( I hope ) it's dust on the CCD. It's no longer more than 2 months old.
So please help! What is it and how do I get rid of it?
Thanks.Since you just got the camera, depending on the store, you should consider a replacement. I know that most places like futureshop can simply replace your camera for another new one. You shouldn't be cleaning a camera that is new.

[Toogy]

I never worry about sensor dust, I hardly ever shoot above F11, so I don't care to worry about it.
The PRO I work with has an EXTREMELY dirty sensor and lens and everything and it doesn't bother him for a second.

[Leorooster]

Since you just got the camera, depending on the store, you should consider a replacement. I know that most places like futureshop can simply replace your camera for another new one. You shouldn't be cleaning a camera that is new.

I had to clean my sensor the 2nd (maybe 3rd week) after I bought it. Seriously, CyberPet was right. Some dust is "pre-installed" by Canon.:) :)

[S230]

I had to clean my sensor the 2nd (maybe 3rd week) after I bought it. Seriously, CyberPet was right. Some dust is "pre-installed" by Canon.:) :)
I suspect poor quality control with the XT. Probably due to competition and trying to cut cost, the sensor was probably installed somewhere open like in the middle of the dessert because Canon don't want to pay for Air Conditioning.. :)

[gmen]

No one ever vacuums out the inside of their bag! ;-)
I must be very, very sad... I vacuumed my bag the other night... it was full of speedway dust!

[CyberPet]

Vacuum your bag? Now we're getting into the paranoid state.. hehehe... good idea though!

Also, thanks for the idea to tape the opening of the bulb when kept in the bag.... I'll make a special cap for it, so it's always easy to find. *bright yellow*

[KennyG]

Since you just got the camera, depending on the store, you should consider a replacement. I know that most places like futureshop can simply replace your camera for another new one. You shouldn't be cleaning a camera that is new.

That is going too far. You will even get dust on the sensor of a 1Ds MK-II straight out of the box, not matter how good the clean room is for assembly. It isn't a big issue and over-reacting to it just spoils the experience of using a DSLR. A good quality blower will shift most of the dust and then do a wet clean a couple of times a year depending on use. The more paranoid are using the copperhill method to the point of it being obsessive. They spend more time cleaning their sensors than taking pictures.

If you can't live with the dust issue, then go for a sealed P&S body as you will get dust on the sensor no matter how careful you are.

[S230]

That is going too far. You will even get dust on the sensor of a 1Ds MK-II straight out of the box, not matter how good the clean room is for assembly. It isn't a big issue and over-reacting to it just spoils the experience of using a DSLR. A good quality blower will shift most of the dust and then do a wet clean a couple of times a year depending on use. The more paranoid are using the copperhill method to the point of it being obsessive. They spend more time cleaning their sensors than taking pictures.

If you can't live with the dust issue, then go for a sealed P&S body as you will get dust on the sensor no matter how careful you are.
Agree that a good blower will do. I am kidding about building in the dessert and no Air Condition. But how the problem was described and being new, it's a bit worrying.
I am however concerned with their recent quality of lens cleaning. I recently sent my 50mm 1.8 for cleaning because there was some big glob of dust inside. The lens is practically new and rarely used. When I got it back, I found slight scratch and small dust IN the optics. Really disappointing.