-=FAQ=- Dark Spots/Blobs in Photos? -READ FIRST-

A lot of new d-SLR owners find dark blobs or dots appearing on their photographs (see Photo 1). They often start new thread on this board worrying about the state of their camera, not to worry, there is a simple explanation for this. So if your Photographs look 'dirty' or have 'blobs in the sky' don't start a new thread, just read below, it features links to solutions and methods of fixing it.


PHOTO 1

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Alex - that's a nice write-up. Thanks.

Before it turns into a FAQ or sticky, I had a question regarding this statement:

Have you just heard this from other threads? (yes, I too have seen it repeated very often) Or do you have some reference material to back it up, just out of curiosity?

I have only been able to find this:

http://www.sportsshoot​er.com/news/1215

If true, that makes me think that:

A) Maybe the sensor's not charged merely because the power's on (the discussion above is using the bulb exposure function rather than the sensor cleaning function). It's only charged while you're actually taking an exposure.

B) Even if it were charged it wouldn't make a bit of difference.

Is this possible? I am just trying to make sure we're not perpetuating unsubstantiated rumors.

Well, ive read it quite a few times, worst case scenario is turn it off because there is a possibility of charge attracting dust. it does no harm to turn it off, right?

i leave my camera on all the time, i set it for 1 min auto-off so it might well have some charge.

You will get dust in most DSLR's even with it turned off and if you never remove a lens it will still find it's way in. Fact of life that unless the camera and lens is weather sealed (as far as I know only pro lvl cameras are and not all pro lenses) dust is always going to be there to annoy. I think it's a good idea to have a FAQ or Sticky on this as it does get repeated over and over many time.

My only concern is that while the Copperhill gear is really quite good there are many other options and choices that all work and people should choose what method they feel more comfortable with. In the end most of it's really just common sense, I think that the topic has been covered that many times I find it hard to believe that no matter what you typed in you would still be able to find a thread on Sensor goobers.

Yeah this is getting a bit out of hand these 'aww no a dark spot on my photo", there at least 4 in the first page of the forum at any given time !

Sticky this one urgently !

I use this method http://194.100.88.243 …/a_Brush_Your_S​ensor.html (which i am sure everyone is aware of) virtualy no pressure is needed and a single sweep one way and a single sweep the other way removed 95% of the dust off mine with no liquid going anywhere near the glass filter.

glad this made it to stickyville. thanks

I nearly had a cow when my less-than-one-month-old Rebel XT started showing blobs/spots in my sky pictures. A quick scan of this sticky and a survey of the local cosmetic/photo stores later I found an old friend running a photoshop who pointed me at one of these...

http://www.lenspen.com​/

A couple of swipes on my sensor and I'm back to good as new. These things are great.

Edit for those who don't read all the links first: I used the brush end of the lenspen. Putting any sort of powder inside your camera body is...well...kinda stupid.

Dart wrote:
I nearly had a cow when my less-than-one-month-old Rebel XT started showing blobs/spots in my sky pictures. A quick scan of this sticky and a survey of the local cosmetic/photo stores later I found an old friend running a photoshop who pointed me at one of these...

http://www.lenspen.com​/

A couple of swipes on my sensor and I'm back to good as new. These things are great.

i would never advise ANYONE to do this, your sensor is very very very delicate, using one of these will most likely harm it. your low pass filter scratches easily

How is this any different from Alnath's recommendation? Did you even notice the retractable brush part? ( I didn't use the circular cleaner portion of the pen on the sensor )

My friend uses both ends for their intended uses all the time...no problems. I'll take experience over a dire warning anytime.

i didnt mean for you not to do it, but most recommend against it, i own these lens pens and would never ever do it, one day you will scratch it and be... well, buggered. why do you think people go out of the way to get surgical quality pecpads and extremely clean eclipse fluid? because they are virtually non abrasive. the brush on those pens are sharp.

what do you men for their intended uses? cleaning his lens you mean?

but of course, whatever works for you bud.

For the same reason most people take their car to the dealership instead of fixing it themselves. It's neither right nor wrong, they simply don't know how, don't want to take a chance on screwing it up or have been indoctrinated into the idea there's only one way to do something.

Yes they are and there's quite a simple fix for that or any other suitable cosmetic type brush we neanderthals may attempt to use. Even with 10+ years on the internet more often than not I tend to forget that not everyone has Do-It-Yourself skills, attention to detail, and the single-minded focus to check ALL the info available before attempting something new. Then you test, test, test FIRST.

So to avoid a "what fix?" post I'll jot it down quick.

1) Get a suitable brush. If you don't know what a suitable brush is check the link kindly provided by Alnath a few posts up. I like nylon cosmetic brushes or in my case...the lenspen.

2) Now you have a good brush that you've thoroughly cleaned and tested. Again...see Alnaths link for the procedure. There's only one problem as ©andergraph pointed out. The lenspen in particular has square SHARP bristles...how to fix this?

3) Go buy a quality STEEL fingernail file....NOT the cardboard, glued, sandpaper kind. Brush like a gorilla on the file a few thousand times while rotating your brush. This wears down the square tips to the nice pointed type that the Visible Dust company is so proud of.

4) Clean and test it again...work on your "light touch" brush technique. When you're satisfied take a deep breath and....

5) ...brush your sensor. One swipe in each direction...NO MORE...and you're probably done. Put your lens on and check for spots.

6) If this sounds scary to you...don't do it. Send your camera to Canon and let them clean it.

I mean using the brush for brushing and using the lens cleaning end for cleaning lenses.

strange, as soon as this was unstuck (why?) there was a 'dirty sensor' question appeared

Two of them actualy, in 1/2 page!