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DSLR experts - need advice about photos

M

Mark R

Diamond Member
I've noticed some dark blobs appearing on photos taken at very small apertures on my EOS 350D (kit 18-55 lens).

There is one blob close to the centre of the frame which is most annoying, and is visible at exactly the same place on several photos taken months apart.

I can't see any dust or dirt on the sensor, nor on the front or rear elements of the lens itself.

Any ideas?

Blob1
Blob2
 
You got ghosts.

Seriously, it's dust on the sensor. There should be a sensor cleaning function in the menu, in custom functions I think. Turn that on. You'll need the AC adapter to do it, because if the camera loses power for any reason while you are cleaning the shutter will close and you'll damage it. Use a bulb blower like the kind they use to suck the snot out of babies' noses to blow the dust off. Take a test shot to see if you got it. If not you need to get a little more hardnosed about it. Everyone has their own technique. Some people buy special sensor cleaning swabs and solution. I've had the best luck with a dry Q-Tip myself, but whenever I mention it people lose control of their bowel movements over the fact that I would even consider using a Q-Tip. Honestly it's not rocket science, and it's not nearly as complex as people make out. Just be careful because if you damage something while cleaning it's not covered under warranty.
 
Alternately, if you have time and don't mind shipping your camera to Canon service, they will clean it for free under warranty, but it can take a while to get it back.
 
yeah, i don't know what's the big deal with the swap cleaning kit off the internet. i just use can of compressed air, held horizontally about 10" away from the camera and blow the dust off.

1- add fresh battery
2- set custom func to sensor clean
3- blow dust off
4- shut camera off and add lens
5- set f/16 manual focus, take pic and see
6- if spots exists, repeat steps 1 - 5
 
Originally posted by: Wallydraigle
Alternately, if you have time and don't mind shipping your camera to Canon service, they will clean it for free under warranty, but it can take a while to get it back.
Click to expand...
That's pretty cool...
 
Originally posted by: m2kewl
yeah, i don't know what's the big deal with the swap cleaning kit off the internet. i just use can of compressed air, held horizontally about 10" away from the camera and blow the dust off.

1- add fresh battery
2- set custom func to sensor clean
3- blow dust off
4- shut camera off and add lens
5- set f/16 manual focus, take pic and see
6- if spots exists, repeat steps 1 - 5
Click to expand...

I've heard of people doing this, but I personally wouldn't. Sometime "stuff" comes out of the can and can make a mess all over the inside of the sensor box. If it works for you, then great.

 
OK. It appears that I have a dust problem , thanks guys.

Having visually inspected the sensor, there are indeed a few specs of dust visible on it. However, I didn't realise they would be quite so difficult to see. I also had forgotten about the low-pass filter in front of the sensor, so couldn't understand how dust 'on the sensor' could appear blurred.

Anyway, I've come up with a technique for imaging the dust on the sensor. My sensor
 
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