Anyone Have this problem

During the last two post production sessions. I have noticed a dark smudge spot on my Portraits. It is the same shape spot just smaller or larger and in a different place on the image depending on the zoom of the lens at the time the photo was taken. I have cleaned the lens front and back and see nothing. I dont see anying inside the camera on the mirror or focus screen. I was just wondering if any one else had this problem. I guess I will have to shoot with another lens and see if this still happens. Can a small almost invisible scratch on the lens cause this smudge spot? Because that is all I see.

sensor dust. Open the lens up to f22 and shoot the sky once and see what you get.

Yep sounds like sensor dust it was probably the aperture that was changing, as you stop down more the dust becomes more clearly defined and thus more visible. I suppose changing focal length could also have some effect on it. What you are seeing is actually the shadow created by the dust so as light comes in less diffused (from a smaller source) the shadow is easier to see.


You may only have to use a clean blower bulb to remove it, if not try a "sensor klear" pen and if that fails move to wet cleaning. Even a camera with sensor cleaning can get a spot that sticks a bit. If you tend to be an "all thumbs" sort of person you may have to get it cleaned by a repair place but really it is only nerve racking this first time or two.

Thanks for the feed back but I thought sensor dust looked like specks on the photo. I am talking about a large smudge mark appearing on the photos. During portrait shoots it usually appears on the nose or the cheekbone if the lens is zoomed all the way in. Zoomed in for a head shot, the smudge is almost the full length of the eye width on the cheek bone about 1/4 to 1/2 inch big. it can be cleaned up with the clone or spot tool easily but it is a pain. I will have to get another lens and try and see if it still happens then at least I will know it is the camera. I will try shooting the sky at F22 but will have to wait until we get a nice bright sky. Chicago weather is dark and gloomy the last couple of days.

Gloomy sky would work or a white wall. I once found an eyelash on my sensor. Smudges can happen as well. When I got my 5D MKII new it had dust, oil and smudges. The first thing I had to do was about a half dozen wet cleans to get it all off.

After your shot do an auto levels on it if you really want to see the horrors of it all.

Keep it all in perspective though if it doesn't show up in real photos it isn't worth fretting about.

Got a break in the clouds just about the time I got home from work. Shot the sky at F22 and low and behold that smudge is definately sensor dust. It is shaped like an eyelash right where I would expect to find it according to where it appears on the pictures. Thank you all for your help. I have another question. I am planning on using an air bulb to try to clean it but I have heard and read horror stories about using regular air bulbs without hepa filters attatched. Anyone have any recomendations or info on this. It would be appreciated.

Since we're talking about sensor dust; would anything happen to my sensor if I don't clean the dust? Because I haven't since I bought my camera, it's been more than a year.