Cleaning the sensor on a FIXED lens camera?
Jan 20, 2017 11:46:42 #
My "pocket" camera - used for hiking/biking when I don't want to carry something larger - has developed an arc-shaped shadow in the upper left corner of the photos. I assume it is caused by something on the sensor or the back of the lens. However, the camera is a Panasonic Lumix LF1. The lens can't be removed to allow internal cleaning. Has anybody disassembled a P&S camera and successfully got it to work again? I can see about a dozen small screws that I could remove to start the process. Or should I just live it? Photos are for posting on line, I can't remember ever printing any of them. About 20% of photos have a shadow which is noticeable and can't be fixed in post. Not the end of the world, but I would like to fix the camera or replace it.
Jan 20, 2017 12:12:28 #
I did a "google" search and found this --
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-T2PQH0T9o
Took about 5 seconds to find.
Good Luck... I do hope that you are mechanically inclined? IF not - toss it out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-T2PQH0T9o
Took about 5 seconds to find.
Good Luck... I do hope that you are mechanically inclined? IF not - toss it out.
Jan 20, 2017 12:48:13 #
James R wrote:
I did a "google" search and found this --
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-T2PQH0T9o
Took about 5 seconds to find.
Good Luck... I do hope that you are mechanically inclined? IF not - toss it out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-T2PQH0T9o
Took about 5 seconds to find.
Good Luck... I do hope that you are mechanically inclined? IF not - toss it out.
Thanks! I should have realized that YouTube has everything covered. I'll let you know how it turns out.
Jan 20, 2017 13:37:09 #
Math78 wrote:
My "pocket" camera - used for hiking/bik... (show quote)
Very few of these extending lens cameras have any sort of weather sealing, but that's a good thing as the sensor can often be cleaned indirectly.
Using a shop vac, and an assistant, hold the shop vac hose tightly around the cameras lens, making sure the hose is large enough to fully cover the lens and not interfere with its operation. Turn on the shop vac, and while its operational, turn the camera on and off several times. This allows the vacuum to suck quite a bit of dust, lint, and other debris out of the camera. It also helps those extending lenses that tend to be a bit sticky at times. I have cleaned many P&S cameras this way over the years and it works about 75% of the time. Better than tossing a camera that is otherwise functional.
Jan 20, 2017 13:41:48 #
MT Shooter wrote:
Very few of these extending lens cameras have any ... (show quote)
Good suggestion, I'll give it a try before I get out my screwdrivers. Thanks.
Jan 20, 2017 17:29:40 #
MT Shooter wrote:
Very few of these extending lens cameras have any ... (show quote)
The shop vac suggestion worked! I had to find an attachment which just fit over the lens to get enough suction. The large shadow is now gone. Big thanks to Carter.
I've also learned that a pocket full of lint is not a good environment for a camera. I'll use a plastic bag from now on.
Dust on sensor
After applying shop vac suction to lens
Jan 20, 2017 17:35:19 #
I would have said forget about it, but thanks to MT, I'm bookmarking this thread!
Jan 20, 2017 17:37:03 #
Math78 wrote:
The shop vac suggestion worked! I had to find an attachment which just fit over the lens to get enough suction. The large shadow is now gone. Big thanks to Carter.
I've also learned that a pocket full of lint is not a good environment for a camera. I'll use a plastic bag from now on.
I've also learned that a pocket full of lint is not a good environment for a camera. I'll use a plastic bag from now on.
Glad to see you got it cleared up, but what is the spot on the bottom, towards the right? You may want to fire up the vacuum again! Since that seems to work pretty well I won't bother with my dishwasher suggestion!
Jan 20, 2017 17:48:34 #
LFingar wrote:
Glad to see you got it cleared up, but what is the spot on the bottom, towards the right? You may want to fire up the vacuum again! Since that seems to work pretty well I won't bother with my dishwasher suggestion!
That is roof of my neighbor's house, not dust. I was aiming at today's gray sky.
Jan 20, 2017 18:50:57 #
Math78 wrote:
The shop vac suggestion worked! I had to find an attachment which just fit over the lens to get enough suction. The large shadow is now gone. Big thanks to Carter.
I've also learned that a pocket full of lint is not a good environment for a camera. I'll use a plastic bag from now on.
I've also learned that a pocket full of lint is not a good environment for a camera. I'll use a plastic bag from now on.
Glad to help. Sometimes SIMPLE is the best method!
Jan 20, 2017 19:58:27 #
GoofyNewfie wrote:
I would have said forget about it, but thanks to MT, I'm bookmarking this thread!
Same here!
Jan 20, 2017 22:48:05 #
MT Shooter wrote:
Very few of these extending lens cameras have any ... (show quote)
I'm going to give this a try. For the past several months, my Canon pocket camera has been generating a very noticeable dark spot on every image it takes. I'm so tired of removing this spot in editing! This just may be the fix I've been looking for.
Jan 21, 2017 07:56:34 #
Math78 wrote:
Thanks! I should have realized that YouTube has everything covered. I'll let you know how it turns out.
YouTube and Google, but it's nice to get opinions here, too. Let us know how this turns out.
Jan 21, 2017 08:51:38 #
Jan 21, 2017 09:00:21 #
Math78 wrote:
The shop vac suggestion worked! I had to find an attachment which just fit over the lens to get enough suction. The large shadow is now gone. Big thanks to Carter.
I've also learned that a pocket full of lint is not a good environment for a camera. I'll use a plastic bag from now on.
I've also learned that a pocket full of lint is not a good environment for a camera. I'll use a plastic bag from now on.
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.