My Camera Has Gone Dotty!

jp4294

Senior Member
Hi guys,
I don't think this is a D3100 specific problem but obviously you guys know the camera.
So, I've been puzzled by these strange spots on my camera which I am sure are tiny pieces of dirt somewhere. They've been hanging around for quite a few months and I just haven't bothered to do anything about it but it's really getting annoying. Here's an example photo and the culprit are the little spots at the top left of the image.
Facebook-2.jpg

I'm sure it's nothing major but it's just annoying. It isn't the lens as far as the outer glass surfaces are concerned because I've wiped them multiple times. Maybe something on the inside of the lens somehow? I've also done the "clean sensor" option in the menu which didn't have any effect either. I'm thinking it's some stubborn specks of dust on the sensor but before I try my hand at cleaning it I'm just looking at other options.
Any help would be great guys.
Thanks,
Jaye
 

Carolina Photo Guy

Senior Member
They look like spots on the mirror. You may want to use some compressed air to GENTLY blow across the mirror and then take another shot to see if the spots have moved. If they have, use just a little more pressure and repeat until the mirror is clean.
JMTCW

​Pete
 

Marcel

Happily retired
Staff member
Super Mod
Time to clean your sensor. There are plenty of tutorials on the net. Just google sensor dust removal. All DSLRs eventually suffer from it. When you use your camera with a wider aperture, they don't show as much.
 

Sandpatch

Senior Member
I'd start with a handheld air puffer to clean the sensor (not the mirror, which will need to be locked in the up position). Compressed air cans can deliver quite a blast and if you hold the can wrong, liquid can sometimes spew. I had a spot appear on my D5100 soon after purchase and it was with great anxiety that I used my handheld air puffer, but it was easy and instantly successful. Just be sure that you don't touch the surface of the sensor. Good luck.
 

Mark F

Senior Member
They look like spots on the mirror. You may want to use some compressed air to GENTLY blow across the mirror and then take another shot to see if the spots have moved. If they have, use just a little more pressure and repeat until the mirror is clean.
JMTCW

​Pete
Anything on the mirror will only be visible to you thru the viewfinder. It won't show up on the photo. NEVER use canned air to blow out your camera, use a rocket blower instead. You’ll coat your sensor and mirror will all the nasty lubricants and propellants that are in the can of compressed air and you can blow the dust deeper inside your camera for more problems in the future.
 
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Carolina Photo Guy

Senior Member
Anything on the mirror will only be visible to you thru the viewfinder. It won't show up on the photo. NEVER use canned air to blow out your camer, use a rocket blower instead. You’ll coat your sensor and mirror will all the nasty lubricants and propellants that are in the can of compressed air and you can blow the dust deeper inside your camera for more problems in the future.
Dude, when I have a brain fart, it stinks!
My brain disconnected while I was typing. I substituted mirror for sensor and it went downhill from there. However, I have used compressed air to blow across the sensor, but I held the can quite a ways back so the force would be greatly reduced.
 

Mark F

Senior Member
Dude, when I have a brain fart, it stinks!
My brain disconnected while I was typing. I substituted mirror for sensor and it went downhill from there. However, I have used compressed air to blow across the sensor, but I held the can quite a ways back so the force would be greatly reduced.

In the future... Please don't use compressed air. Even if you hold the can outside the camera, the propellant blows farther than the air. Trust me, one squirt of that oily stuff on your sensor and it's a pain to get off


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
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Bob Blaylock

Senior Member
They look like spots on the mirror. …

It wouldn't be the mirror. Dirt/dust/whatever on the mirror would show up in the viewfinder, but not in the final picture.

I agree with everyone else who says it's on the sensor. Turns out that this is a common maintenance issue that every owner of every DSLR can expect to have to deal with once in a while. Dust and dirt and foreign material does unavoidably get into the camera, and some of it lands on the sensor.
 

Cowleystjames

Senior Member
NO compressed air, there's a propellant in the cans that can do more damage to the sensor glass than dust. Just use a Rocket puffer or similar, if the doesn't work take it into a Pro shop and give them $50 if you feel like wasting your money, or do it yourself. Not a hard job and approached gently it's easy to do with the correct kit. Just Google Slr sensor cleaning.
You can't damage your sensor as it's behind a protective plate of glass, just take it easy.
 

jp4294

Senior Member
Thanks for all the quick answers. I did try a different lens and it didn't make any difference so I guess that does mean it's the sensor. I'll buy a blower and give it a shot soon and let you know how it goes.
Appreciate all the help.
​Jaye
 

Roy1961

Senior Member
Contributor
rather than open a new thread (sorry to piggy back on yours) i have tried the blower and it removed most of the dust, but there is still some there, i need to buy the wet cleaning kit, can anyone suggest one to buy, i have a D7000 and do i really need the Loupe???
 
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