What is this large black spot on my photos: I was using my camera yesterday and noticed that all of a sudden I have this large black spot on my photos. I know I have some sensor dust...

maryp Loc: Boston

I was using my camera yesterday and noticed that all of a sudden I have this large black spot on my photos. I know I have some sensor dust, which I need to have cleaned but what is this spot from? Any ideas? This is straight from the camera

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

maryp wrote:

I was using my camera yesterday and noticed that all of a sudden I have this large black spot on my photos. I know I have some sensor dust, which I need to have cleaned but what is this spot from? Any ideas? This is straight from the camera

Wow! You can't miss that. Have you checked the lawn? :D

It's so big that I'd first try a different lens. If you get the same result, then it's probably something on the sensor. Something on the lens probably wouldn't show up that much. If it's dirt on the sensor, a competent camera shop can clean it quickly and cheaply. Let us know how this works out.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

maryp wrote:

I was using my camera yesterday and noticed that all of a sudden I have this large black spot on my photos. I know I have some sensor dust, which I need to have cleaned but what is this spot from? Any ideas? This is straight from the camera

I bet that's Castle in the Clouds.

maryp Loc: Boston

Hi Jerry, It is Castle in the Clouds! I went yesterday to practice taking bracketed photos for HDR. It's not the lawn!! :(
I tried a different lense a short while ago and I also noticed it on some other pictures from last week that I just down loaded.
I did do a blast of canned air about two weeks ago???

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

maryp wrote:

Hi Jerry, It is Castle in the Clouds! I went yesterday to practice taking bracketed photos for HDR. It's not the lawn!! :(
I tried a different lense a short while ago and I also noticed it on some other pictures from last week that I just down loaded.
I did do a blast of canned air about two weeks ago???

Air in a can is not good, from what I've heard. Sounds like a job for a pro -unless you want to try it yourself.

maryp Loc: Boston

I had seen some articles saying the canned air was no good and others saying it was ok. I had a can in the house and tried it~it may have been a fatal mistake for my camera!

Rob O' Loc: Freakin' Hot Arizona

Canned air will spray propellant onto your sensor. Very bad. To clean your sensor, you should use a hand blower with your camera body pointed toward the ground to let dislodged dust fall out of the lens opening.

What you have on your sensor is like the Godzilla of dust, though, and may need cleaning with a sensor swab to remove it.

Try the blower first (the Giottos Rocket Air Blower is the one I see most recommended) and if that doesn't get rid of it, then move on to the swab. AFTER, you've researched how to do it and what swabs are recommended for your camera.

Good luck

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

maryp wrote:

I had seen some articles saying the canned air was no good and others saying it was ok. I had a can in the house and tried it~it may have been a fatal mistake for my camera!

I've heard that it can leave a big black mark on the sensor! Kidding, of course. I think the objection was to the amount of air pressure and the cold air. If you bring it to be cleaned, don't mention the can of air. He might see that as an excuse to blame that on some imagined damage.

gmcase Loc: Galt's Gulch

If you go the swab route check out Copper Hill. It is very easy to use. I bought a kit several years back and still have 80% plus of it left. I clean only when it becomes necessary, not on a schedule of any kind. To check for spots I shoot into a clear blue sky (plentiful here in the desert) as you can see any specs, goobers or other gunk that may be on the sensor or lens for that matter.

Rob O' Loc: Freakin' Hot Arizona

good advice, gmcase, but I'd like to add that when you shoot the sky to check for spots, stop your lens down to at least f:16 or higher. The added depth of field makes the dust specs on the sensor stand out more because they are more in focus.

gmcase Loc: Galt's Gulch

Thanks. Forgot that little detail. Isn't this site great for info? :thumbup:

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

gmcase wrote:

If you go the swab route check out Copper Hill. It is very easy to use. I bought a kit several years back and still have 80% plus of it left. I clean only when it becomes necessary, not on a schedule of any kind. To check for spots I shoot into a clear blue sky (plentiful here in the desert) as you can see any specs, goobers or other gunk that may be on the sensor or lens for that matter.

Isn't there some kind of Menu choice to shoot a reference shot for the sensor?

gmcase Loc: Galt's Gulch

jerryc41 wrote:

gmcase wrote:

If you go the swab route check out Copper Hill. It is very easy to use. I bought a kit several years back and still have 80% plus of it left. I clean only when it becomes necessary, not on a schedule of any kind. To check for spots I shoot into a clear blue sky (plentiful here in the desert) as you can see any specs, goobers or other gunk that may be on the sensor or lens for that matter.

Isn't there some kind of Menu choice to shoot a reference shot for the sensor?

I haven't seen that option my Canon dslrs.

maryp Loc: Boston

I have just watched a couple of cleaning videos recommended from this site, my local camera shops want 24-48 hours to clean, so i think I will try the sensor kit tonight. I appreciate all your advice!

maryp Loc: Boston

I have the Rebel EOS XT and my manual (which is always in my bag) has the instructions on page 39