"solved" Spots on image NOT DUST OR OIL!

**Englischdude** · 01-22-2014, 02:45 PM

So, it seems my D80 was not so much of a bargain after all! I purchased it used a few weeks ago in mint condition and only 9000 shutter Releases from a respectable guy hier in Austria. As it is winter here the light conditions have been relatively low, but now I am in Abu Dhabi on a Business trip and have used smaller apertures. I have noticed a Cluster of dots in the Image which I initially put down to sensor contamination. I blew, no Change, i dry wiped the sensor, no Change, I wet wiped the sensor, no Change, I wet wiped the sensor again, no Change! Any idea what this could be? I have found a couple of Posts on other Forums about this but no fixed cause as of yet. WOuld appreciate your thoughts and beware D80 buyers! Picture below. The spots become progressively more visible at apertures of f13 and smaller.....

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**Brian** · 01-22-2014, 02:57 PM

Can you visually inspect the sensor using a magnifying glass?

Oil left on glass can cause coating damage, and can etch the glass.

Fungus can grow on glass, and emit acid, which etches the coating and the glass.

As it is more visible when closed down, the spots should be on the surface as you look at it.

**Englischdude** · 01-22-2014, 03:19 PM

I cannot see any contamination on the surface of the sensor at all, and no irregularities of any Kind when observing the sensor from various angles. The problem is the same regardless which lens I use. A quick search on the web has revealed others also having this Problem.

**BackdoorArts** · 01-22-2014, 03:44 PM

This is purely a guess, but the "sensor" you're cleaning is actually a sandwich of filters, with the actual sensor located behind them. Perhaps moisture got inside the filter stack, possibly after using the camera in very wet/humid conditions, or maybe after bringing it in from extreme cold into warm temperatures? If so, it can be repaired, but it's going to cost you to have a pro do it.

**BackdoorArts** · 01-22-2014, 03:50 PM

As I look at it I'm more and more convinced that this is what it might be. It's the same pattern I see in storm windows made up of layers of glass, where moisture somehow got inside the stack and will reappear in humid conditions, but otherwise exhibits only the faintest of spots where the moisture was but evaporated.

**Englischdude** · 01-22-2014, 03:54 PM

Originally Posted by BackdoorHippie

As I look at it I'm more and more convinced that this is what it might be. It's the same pattern I see in storm windows made up of layers of glass, where moisture somehow got inside the stack and will reappear in humid conditions, but otherwise exhibits only the faintest of spots where the moisture was but evaporated.

assuming that this is correct, I must add that the Cluster of spots is only at the centre of the Image. moisture would come in from the edges correct so would such dots not start at the edges of the image?

**hark** · 01-22-2014, 04:00 PM

What liquid did you use to wet clean the sensor? Was it Eclipse or something else?

**BackdoorArts** · 01-22-2014, 04:08 PM

Originally Posted by Englischdude

assuming that this is correct, I must add that the Cluster of spots is only at the centre of the Image. moisture would come in from the edges correct so would such dots not start at the edges of the image?

That's why I'm drawing the parallel to a window pane - while moisture is obviously drawn in from the edges it seems to collect in the center where there may me the most room to expand due to resistance/pressure being lowest in the center of the sheet than at the edges. In other words, if you take two flat pieces of anything and press them together at the edges, the center point would be where forces keeping them together would be weakest.

Again, just a theory based on what I'm seeing with no real world experience seeing it in a camera. Take it to a shop and have them take a hard look at it.

**Englischdude** · 01-22-2014, 04:26 PM

Originally Posted by hark

What liquid did you use to wet clean the sensor? Was it Eclipse or something else?

I used Green Clean swabs ready prepared.

**hark** · 01-22-2014, 04:40 PM

Originally Posted by Englischdude

I used Green Clean swabs ready prepared.

Hmm.... I had problems with spots on my D600's sensor, and after having it unsuccessfully repaired by Nikon 3 times, they refunded me for the body. The main problem was sensor spots. Your spots don't look the same though. Yours appear to be slightly opaque. My spots were much smaller, darker, and not opaque, and nothing I used could remove them.

After looking up info on Green Clean, I think that is part of Visible Dust's line of products. I haven't used that brand but have heard good things about it. If the Green Clean swabs weren't able to remove the spots, then you might have to consider having the sensor looked at professionally. Or give the Eclipse solution a try. Sorry--wish I could be of more help.