3 Questions on detecting and cleaning sensor dust
Sep 15, 2017 20:32:27 #
Friends, I might have some dust on the sensor of my D500. I've done some research, and I now have three questions:
1. While all videos and articles I've seen agree that your check for dust on your sensor at the smallest possible aperture, some say your camera should be focused, and others stress that it should be out of focus. I am interested in the opinions of those experienced in this matter.
2. When photographing something white to check for sensor dust, does using a flash affect the process? Or more simply put, should I or should I not use flash when I check?
3. I am a little spooked by the fact that there is so much written and recorded about how careful you have to be if you clean your own sensor. On the other hand, my local store gets $70 to clean the sensor. Is that a reasonable price? Is it such a risky job that I would be foolish to try it on my own?
Thanks so much!
1. While all videos and articles I've seen agree that your check for dust on your sensor at the smallest possible aperture, some say your camera should be focused, and others stress that it should be out of focus. I am interested in the opinions of those experienced in this matter.
2. When photographing something white to check for sensor dust, does using a flash affect the process? Or more simply put, should I or should I not use flash when I check?
3. I am a little spooked by the fact that there is so much written and recorded about how careful you have to be if you clean your own sensor. On the other hand, my local store gets $70 to clean the sensor. Is that a reasonable price? Is it such a risky job that I would be foolish to try it on my own?
Thanks so much!
Sep 15, 2017 20:48:40 #
1. Out of focus. Lets the on-sensor stuff be seen more easily.
2. No need for flash. Use a long enough exposure to get an all light background.
3. $70 is too much for a 10-minute job, but the shops have to cover themselves if they goof. Just remember to be gentle when you do it yourself.
2. No need for flash. Use a long enough exposure to get an all light background.
3. $70 is too much for a 10-minute job, but the shops have to cover themselves if they goof. Just remember to be gentle when you do it yourself.
Sep 15, 2017 20:54:24 #
OddJobber wrote:
1. Out of focus. Lets the on-sensor stuff be seen more easily.
2. No need for flash. Use a long enough exposure to get an all light background.
3. $70 is too much for a 10-minute job, but the shops have to cover themselves if they goof. Just remember to be gentle when you do it yourself.
2. No need for flash. Use a long enough exposure to get an all light background.
3. $70 is too much for a 10-minute job, but the shops have to cover themselves if they goof. Just remember to be gentle when you do it yourself.
Thanks, Oddjobber.
Sep 15, 2017 20:57:37 #
Try this: remove your lens, point camera to white surface, like a wall or something that does not have color. The front of your refrigerator or an appliance would work. Bring the image into a photo editor and make it negative (Ctrl-I in Photoshop). Use the Magnify tool to look for white spots. Then you'll know.
Sammy's in Los Angeles is $35 for a sensor clean, other places in LA are $65, so $70 is not out of line for where you are.
Sammy's in Los Angeles is $35 for a sensor clean, other places in LA are $65, so $70 is not out of line for where you are.
Sep 15, 2017 21:10:11 #
Sep 15, 2017 21:37:54 #
I found all the info on line, you tube somewhat intimidating. I cleaned my sensor for the first time last week...NOTHING TO IT.
1. Set your aperture to f16 or so.
2. Set exposure to 4 or 5 seconds
3. Take a "picture" of a white wall, and during the 2 second exposure move the camera around. This helps produce a uniform blank surface
4. You should be able to see where the spots are by examining the image in 1:1 view. Lightroom also has a slider to "visualize spots"
5. Remove lens, and blow out the sensor
6. Then use sensor swabs with two tiny drops of cleaning fluid (I used Altura) and swipe from one end to the other
7. Then turn swab over and swipe again.
This process removed every bit of dirt I could find including one rather large and obvious spot that would not blow away. It took about five minutes from start to finish. No sweat!
I ordered from Amazon and had the entire kit in my hands in one day for about $20.
1. Set your aperture to f16 or so.
2. Set exposure to 4 or 5 seconds
3. Take a "picture" of a white wall, and during the 2 second exposure move the camera around. This helps produce a uniform blank surface
4. You should be able to see where the spots are by examining the image in 1:1 view. Lightroom also has a slider to "visualize spots"
5. Remove lens, and blow out the sensor
6. Then use sensor swabs with two tiny drops of cleaning fluid (I used Altura) and swipe from one end to the other
7. Then turn swab over and swipe again.
This process removed every bit of dirt I could find including one rather large and obvious spot that would not blow away. It took about five minutes from start to finish. No sweat!
I ordered from Amazon and had the entire kit in my hands in one day for about $20.
Sep 15, 2017 21:54:19 #
Definitely use a filtered blower first. A lot of times that's all that is needed. I got the Koh Global Hepa Jet Air II blower. It has a large hepa filter, an anti-static filter, a one-way check valve, and a medical grade PVC bulb. Many blowers have a rubber bulb that can shed fine particles. The medical grade PVC bulb won't do that. Adorama Camera carries it or you can order it directly from Koh Global.
Sep 15, 2017 21:58:18 #
rgrenaderphoto wrote:
Try this: remove your lens, point camera to white surface, like a wall or something that does not have color. The front of your refrigerator or an appliance would work. Bring the image into a photo editor and make it negative (Ctrl-I in Photoshop). Use the Magnify tool to look for white spots. Then you'll know.
Sammy's in Los Angeles is $35 for a sensor clean, other places in LA are $65, so $70 is not out of line for where you are.
Sammy's in Los Angeles is $35 for a sensor clean, other places in LA are $65, so $70 is not out of line for where you are.
It sounds like you're saying to shoot the white surface without a lens on the body. Am I understanding you correctly?
Sep 15, 2017 21:59:58 #
LoneRangeFinder wrote:
I find that focus doesn't matter. I can see it either way
Thank you, LRF.
Sep 15, 2017 22:00:52 #
tinplater wrote:
I found all the info on line, you tube somewhat in... (show quote)
Thank you, Tinplater.
Sep 15, 2017 22:01:21 #
CO wrote:
Definitely use a filtered blower first. A lot of times that's all that is needed. I got the Koh Global Hepa Jet Air II blower. It has a large hepa filter, an anti-static filter, a one-way check valve, and a medical grade PVC bulb. Many blowers have a rubber bulb that can shed fine particles. The medical grade PVC bulb won't do that. Adorama Camera carries it or you can order it directly from Koh Global.
Thank you, CO.
Sep 16, 2017 02:54:17 #
Hi Rab-Eye
Whenever I want to check for dust , I do like tinplater sugested. I can easy see those spots , and often before I go 1:1
Having in mind in Oslo they charge just over 100$ to clean my sensor, I started doing my self, but not before I read and seem how people do it. I think I payed around 20$ for swap cleaning kit, both wet and dry, eclipse, blower etc, and used 3-4 times by now. Not on the same body. And still have for a couple more cleanings. I was very afraid to do it the first time, and I try to be very careful when doing it.
C.
PS: I always try the blower first. If that doesn't help , then the swap is the tool.
Whenever I want to check for dust , I do like tinplater sugested. I can easy see those spots , and often before I go 1:1
Having in mind in Oslo they charge just over 100$ to clean my sensor, I started doing my self, but not before I read and seem how people do it. I think I payed around 20$ for swap cleaning kit, both wet and dry, eclipse, blower etc, and used 3-4 times by now. Not on the same body. And still have for a couple more cleanings. I was very afraid to do it the first time, and I try to be very careful when doing it.
C.
PS: I always try the blower first. If that doesn't help , then the swap is the tool.
Sep 16, 2017 05:36:53 #
Robert Bailey
Loc: Canada
I bought a lighted loupe for checking the sensor (less than $40).
I check the sensor every time I go out shooting.
I've discovered that about 50% of the time it needs to be cleaned.
I use micro-fibre (Canadian spelling) swabs to do this (about $2 each).
I have sensor cleaning liquid, but in over a year have not yet had to use it.
I check the sensor every time I go out shooting.
I've discovered that about 50% of the time it needs to be cleaned.
I use micro-fibre (Canadian spelling) swabs to do this (about $2 each).
I have sensor cleaning liquid, but in over a year have not yet had to use it.
Sep 16, 2017 06:22:23 #
Rab-Eye wrote:
Friends, I might have some dust on the sensor of m... (show quote)
My preferred method of looking for sensor dust is with a sensor loupe. I can examine the sensor and see if there is any dust on it. This is especially useful after an initial cleaning. I'll make a pass with the wiper and then check for spots. Usually, I remove some and deposit others, so it can take a few passes. This one works fine.
https://smile.amazon.com/Carson-Camera-Sensor-Magnifier-SM-44/dp/B0091SS310/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1505557307&sr=8-6&keywords=sensor+loupe
As for damaging the sensor, of course that's possible, but you'd have to be really careless. Actually, the sensor has a protective covering over it. I'm not sure if that applies to all cameras, though.
Sep 16, 2017 06:39:40 #
I have the best luck seeing dust spots by pointing the camera at a clear blue sky and using a small aperture.
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