D7100 sensor dust

Kaye

New member
Hey, I'm new here and could really use some help.


[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif]I have waited a long time to upgrade from the d90 to the d7100. So I finally went to Best Buy and purchased the body only. Totally by accident while leaning the camera i shoot a photo using f/22 and when I got home and uploaded the photos I noticed a few dust spots from the sensor. I even quickly tried another lens and retested. Same results. Well Best Buy replaced the camera the next day. I took the new one out a few days later and took some shoots. And yes I checked it for dust spots (was paranoid at that point because I had saved and it was so important to me) and that one had even more dust spots than the first one. Back to BB and they allowed me to mount my 35mm lens on a new camera (3rd one). We checked it before I left and no dust spots. I left the 35mm on the camera and used it for the first time three days later. Got home and the photos were great but tested it and again, dust spots. Cleaned the camera and all was clean and dust free.

Went out yesterday (different cleaned lens this time) and took a few family photos which turned out great. Tested it later that night and dust spots again.

Did I get a bad batch from Best Buy or is the d7100 just more prone to dust than my d80 and d90? I love this camera. The functions are great and the photos are clear and just awesome.

You can't see the dust spots at f/1.8-f/16..so do all the d7100 have a dust issue and people just don't notice or do people just not worry about it since few people would shoot in f/22? Do they just clean the sensor when it gets worse or not have the problem at all? I just find it puzzling that a new camera would get dust in the sensor every time it is used.

I also clean my lens and only change lens inside, never outside or in the car.

Any advise would be appreciated.[/FONT]
 

Marilynne

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Welcome! Someone will be along shortly to answer your question.

In the meantime, have you set up your camera to clean the sensor when it is turned on? Check page 313 in your manual.

You also might want to introduce yourself here - New Member Introductions Forum
 

Marcel

Happily retired
Staff member
Super Mod
Hi Kaye, I'm almost certain that if you'd take shots with your D90 at f22 you'd get some too. I admit that the more pixels you got on the sensor, the more dust it can attract. I think it's a question of static electricity (but I've been proven wrong before so it's just my opinion). I had the D90 and then got the D7000 and I did notice the same thing. BUT, there is no reason to shoot at f-22 since we know that diffraction at higher f stops than 11 can lower the IQ of images taken with high density pixel DSLRs.

Dust has always been an annoyance for photographers. I remember my darkroom days or nights were getting rid of dust was a major battle that wasn't always won. It's the same thing with digital. If you want to sleep well at night and forget about it,learn how to clean your sensor, learn to stop testing for dust at f-22, and, just use some post processing to get rid of the inevitable dust particle that will eventually appear in a shot or two. When it gets to invasive, then you clean your sensor.

High pixel density has it's price and I think dust is just a part of it. Enjoy your Nikon.
 

Kaye

New member
I'm more than willing to learn to clean it myself. Just have read so many opinions on how to clean it from the new Gel Stick, Wet Cleaning Kit, Sensor Swabs, to VisibleDust.

That being said, I was just wondering if mine was a bad batch or the norm for this certain camera. I will own one, just needed some opinions on if mine was a bad one or if others experience the dust issue as bad and it's normal.

I never use f/22 as a rule. Just a mistake that first day and then I got paranoid about it. Especially with it being brand new.
 

BackdoorArts

Senior Member
If you shoot outside a lot, you're going to get dust. As Marcel points out, the sensor is a dust magnet, so if it gets into your camera, it'll eventually get onto the sensor stack. Changing lenses is a typical way dust gets in. Rear lens caps - where do you put them when they're not on the lens? If it's in your pocket, or in your bag, any dust in there will get into the cap, which then goes on the back of your lens, which then goes onto your camera. Voila!! Spots.

If you don't have a rocket blower, get one and use it when you change lenses - blow off the backs, provided you're in a clean area, otherwise speed is more important. I have a Gel Stick and it works OK for small, stubborn spots, but when I have them in several areas over the back I find that a wet clean is more efficient (I use Sensor Swabs). People rave about the Gel Stick but I find it merely, "Just OK". There are plenty of How To videos, and many linked in other threads here, so just use the search function.

And don't shoot at f22 when you don't have to. One of the great things about a DSLR is the ability to use depth of field in your photography. If I want everything in focus all the time I can just use a good point and shoot. Shoot RAW and check images for dust spots as a first pass habit when you're shooting beyond f9-11. They're usually fairly easy to fix in post, so don't sweat them. You don't need to clean your sensor every time you get a persistent one, just know that it's there and clean it only when you need to.
 

sonicbuffalo_RIP

Senior Member
I'm more than willing to learn to clean it myself. Just have read so many opinions on how to clean it from the new Gel Stick, Wet Cleaning Kit, Sensor Swabs, to VisibleDust.

That being said, I was just wondering if mine was a bad batch or the norm for this certain camera. I will own one, just needed some opinions on if mine was a bad one or if others experience the dust issue as bad and it's normal.

I never use f/22 as a rule. Just a mistake that first day and then I got paranoid about it. Especially with it being brand new.

Good video on how to clean:

The Wet Method of Cleaning a Digital SLR Sensor - YouTube
 

Lscha

Senior Member
Kaye, don't be afraid to clean it yourself. I use the VisibleDust. Be prepared for tons of spots during the spring. Pollen is unavoidable in spring.
 

Kaye

New member
Yes I keep my lens cap in my bag, never thought about that being bad. I have a big Rocket Blaster. Will not fit in my backpack but I'll order a smaller one.

I have ordered the Gel Stick already but would like the Sensor Swabs. I'll do some research and see what kind to buy. Do you use the pre-moistened ones or the dry and the add liquid.

i really just needed to know that I wasn't the only one with this issue and that returning the camera to BB and purchasing another one from a different place wasn't the thing to do.
 

sonicbuffalo_RIP

Senior Member
Yes I keep my lens cap in my bag, never thought about that being bad. I have a big Rocket Blaster. Will not fit in my backpack but I'll order a smaller one.

I have ordered the Gel Stick already but would like the Sensor Swabs. I'll do some research and see what kind to buy. Do you use the pre-moistened ones or the dry and the add liquid.

i really just needed to know that I wasn't the only one with this issue and that returning the camera to BB and purchasing another one from a different place wasn't the thing to do.

Heard the pre-moistened swabs leave streaks so I go with the dry ones. I use Eclipse and a Delkin Sensor Scope to see the results before I'm done.
 

Kaye

New member
Heard the pre-moistened swabs leave streaks so I go with the dry ones. I use Eclipse and a Delkin Sensor Scope to see the results before I'm done.

What is the Delkin Sensor Scope. The link says refills??

so is the bottom line, I'm not the only one with what seems like excessive dust for a brand new camera.
 

sonicbuffalo_RIP

Senior Member
What is the Delkin Sensor Scope. The link says refills??

so is the bottom line, I'm not the only one with what seems like excessive dust for a brand new camera.

here is the link for the delkin sensor scope....no refills...it magnifies the sensor so you can see the dust or dirt on your sensor....fits all openings without letting dust in. No to your question about excessive dust. I've had 3 cameras and only cleaned one of them 1 time. Just noticed a little dust on a photo with the sky. I didn't even use the wet cleaning. Just blew the dust out with a rocket blower. Not a big deal, but it's good to have the supplies for when you need them eventually.
 

John P

Senior Member
I had the same issues with my D7100. I too came from the D90.
I purchased mine from a brick and mortar store, and had to replace two cameras. Before replacing the second one. The manager tested all 5 that he had in stock. All were excessively dusty. Mine was showing dust on photos taken at F8.
They brought a camera in from a different store for me.
It was noticeably better. But I have to clean my sensor about once a month. Never had to do this with my D90.
I use a sensor cleaning kit from American Recorder. It works great, and includes 4 swabs & solution for $20
My d7100 is a great camera. But is quite the dust magnet.
 

John P

Senior Member
That is absolutely rediculous!!!!!
I know that dust is a fact of life.
But if you have not owned a camera that has an issue. You do not understand the problem.
The canned answer is not clean it and get over it.
My first two 7100's were replaced due to thier issue!!!!
So yes, it was a REAL ISSUE!
If you have not had this issue, that is great.
 

John P

Senior Member
Mine were also showing dust at f8......... Not your typical sensor dust issue.
All I am saying is, don't be so quick to write people off.
 

Steve B

Senior Member
Okay, let's step back a second. Dust on the sensor is not a "sensor issue". Your sensor isn't creating the dust although as has already been mentioned some sensors are more of a dust magnet than others. It is one thing if your camera came with dust on the sensor but if you are having to clean it frequently then try to figure out why you are getting that much dust in the camera body in the first place. Do you store your camera with a lens attached or a body cap, do you always hold the body face down when changing lenses, do you keep the back element on your lenses dust free, where do you store the rear lens cap when not in use, do you avoid changing your lens in windy/dusty conditions? All that being said I have heard some professional landscape photographers say that they clean their sensors at the end of every day of shooting. A lot of variables here. All you can do is be careful when changing lenses and learn how to clean your sensor.
 
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