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<blockquote data-quote="BackdoorArts" data-source="post: 298854" data-attributes="member: 9240">Yes, dust is normal.&nbsp; There's an entire industry devoted to helping the homeowner remove it, so it's inevitable that it's going to sneak into a camera on occasion, even if you barely, if ever, change the lens.To check, place a plain piece of white printer paper on a brightly lit area.&nbsp; Set your camera on Aperture priority and set the lens to the smallest aperture available (usually f/16 to f/32).&nbsp; Switch the lens/camera to manual focus and turn the focus ring to the minimum focus setting.&nbsp; Take a picture of the paper making sure that if fills the frame and is fully lit (i.e. don't stick the camera between the light source and the paper).&nbsp; The combination of minimum focus and aperture will give you the clearest view of any dust on the sensor stack.Many people recommend shooting at a bright sky instead.&nbsp; My take on this is that by shooting straight up you're inviting more dust onto the sensor thanks to our friend gravity.&nbsp; When you store your camera, store it in an orientation that promotes gravity moving dust away from the sensor and not towards it.&nbsp; At worst, store it with the sensor perpendicular to the ground.&nbsp; If possible, store it face down in your bag, or at least leaning downward.&nbsp; Dust that might normally be blown off the sensor may decide to adhere to it after prolonged contact, so keep it away as long as possible.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="BackdoorArts, post: 298854, member: 9240"] Yes, dust is normal. There's an entire industry devoted to helping the homeowner remove it, so it's inevitable that it's going to sneak into a camera on occasion, even if you barely, if ever, change the lens. To check, place a plain piece of white printer paper on a brightly lit area. Set your camera on Aperture priority and set the lens to the smallest aperture available (usually f/16 to f/32). Switch the lens/camera to manual focus and turn the focus ring to the minimum focus setting. Take a picture of the paper making sure that if fills the frame and is fully lit (i.e. don't stick the camera between the light source and the paper). The combination of minimum focus and aperture will give you the clearest view of any dust on the sensor stack. Many people recommend shooting at a bright sky instead. My take on this is that by shooting straight up you're inviting more dust onto the sensor thanks to our friend gravity. When you store your camera, store it in an orientation that promotes gravity moving dust away from the sensor and not towards it. At worst, store it with the sensor perpendicular to the ground. If possible, store it face down in your bag, or at least leaning downward. Dust that might normally be blown off the sensor may decide to adhere to it after prolonged contact, so keep it away as long as possible. [/QUOTE]

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