If the spots aren't from the sensor, where are they from?

I have a 5Dc that I've been getting (what I thought were) sensor dust spots on my pictures when I'm stopped down. I finally bought a rocket blower and a sensor cleaning pen type of device to try and get it done myself before having to send it to Canon to get it fixed. After using the stuff on the sensor, I looked through the viewfinder to see the spots were still there. I looked at the sensor again and it didn't look like there were any spots there at all. Looking through the viewfinder is a bit dirty, but I wouldn't think those spots would show up on the pictures, right?

Anybody have any ideas/suggestions that could help?

You won't see dust on the sensor through the viewfinder. That is either crud on your mirror or on/in your viewfinder. The only way to see dust on your sensor is to take a shot at smaller apertures on a bland homogenous surface like a blue or gray sky, etc.

There could be dust on the focusing screen or mirror , take a picture, ignore what you see in the viewfinder.

Is there a relatively safe way to clean either one? Or am I better off just sending it in for Canon? They definitely show up in the pictures so the viewfinder being dirty is just a whole separate problem on it's own

Russo09 wrote in post #15173523
Is there a relatively safe way to clean either one? Or am I better off just sending it in for Canon? They definitely show up in the pictures so the viewfinder being dirty is just a whole separate problem on it's own

Russo09,

If you have these spots in your images, then you could try cleaning the sensor with the 2 tools you have. Start with the blower then take a test shot of the sky at f/22 to see how it did. If you need to clean further, I assume you have the SensorKlear pen (not the Lenspen), if so, go to their website to watch a video of how to properly use the pen. This should clean up a lot of the mess but whatever is left will need to be wet-cleaned. If you're hesitant to do this yourself, then, yes, send it in to Canon.

Nicholas
www.copperhillimages.c​om

I have the same problem. Haven't entirely decided what I'm going to do with it though. So far, I have kinda forgotten the problem, as the sensor dust doesn't really effect my pictures because of what I shoot.

The image in the viewfinder doesn't come from the sensor. The mirror is out of the way when the sensor is exposed. So if you are getting spots on your pictures AND you can see them in the viewfinder it has to be something before it even gets to the mirror. In other words - it's something with the lens.

kfreels wrote in post #15173696
The image in the viewfinder doesn't come from the sensor. The mirror is out of the way when the sensor is exposed. So if you are getting spots on your pictures AND you can see them in the viewfinder it has to be something before it even gets to the mirror. In other words - it's something with the lens.

I'm kinda thinking the viewfinder dust and the spots on the pictures are two separate problems. The viewfinder dust I can deal with, it's the picture spots that are the problem.

Check the rear element of your lens, then, if you're sure that the sensor is clean

Snydremark wrote in post #15173800
Check the rear element of your lens, then, if you're sure that the sensor is clean

Nice and clean. It happens with either one of my lenses anyway so I wouldn't think it's that.

OK. So you see the same exact spots on the viewfinder as you see in the pics. Is that what you are saying?

Spots in the viewfinder are inconsequential, and you're very likely to damage the mirror or focus screen trying to be rid of it. Leave it be.

Russo09 wrote in post #15174272
Nice and clean. It happens with either one of my lenses anyway so I wouldn't think it's that.

Lens and sensor are the only places that anything in your image, that wasn't physically there, could wind up in the picture. One of those two has dirt on it, whether you're seeing it with the naked eye.

If you have an example or two, post 'em up so we can take a look at what you're seeing.

Looks like there's still dust, which would implicate your cleaning methods. Try a professional service if you can't get it done and it really bothers you.