Unfortunate mark on photograph.

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Seabeast

New member
Hi there,
I have recently taken up an interest in DSLR's and purchased a second hand D5100 with 2 lenses.

Unfortunately the first pictures that I took with it whilst on holiday all featured the mark within the red circle of the following photo everytime I oriented the camera to portrait mode.

I am inclined to think that the sensor is dirty although my knowledge is only in its inception.

Can somebody please indicate whether this is a cleaning process that I can take care of myself or whether I would have to pay someone to deal with the matter.

Cheers,
Seabeast.

DSC_5453marked.jpg
 
J

J-see

Senior Member
If you're unsure you can clean it yourself, I'd let someone else do it. If you have a cleaning option on cam, did you try that one?

There's plenty of DIY cleaning tips and tutorials out there but in the end, you'll have to decide if you do it yourself or not.
 
Horoscope Fish

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
What you have there is crud on your sensor, it's part and parcel of shooting a DSLR and something we all learn to deal with at some point. You can learn to clean the sensor yourself or you can pay some a professional to do it for you; expect to be charged $60 - $75 for the service. If you want to learn to do it yourself just Google "cleaning a dslr sensor" and watch some videos. There are blowers, brushes and wet cleaning tools all designed to fix the problem. Do it once and you're pretty much an expert.
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S

Seabeast

New member
Hi again,

Thanks for the replies mikew, J-see, Horoscope Fish and weebee.

Just a few follow up questions - Does crud on the lens occur often ? How often should i reasonably expect this to occur ? It is usually just induced when changed lenses ?

In answer to J-see and weebee, I have used the self cleaning option the camera offers but the problem unfortunately remains.

In response to this problem I have now purchased a number of items off everybody's favourite hive of commerce Ebay and should receive them soon. From what I can gather these following items should suffice.

7 IN 1 Professional PRO Lens Camera Cleaner Cleaning KIT Power FOR Canon Nikon | eBay

Once again, thankyou all for the reassurance that this is just a common occurrence that is nothing out of the ordinary. I appreciate all your help.

Cheers,
Seabeast.
 
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weebee

Senior Member
The blower in this kit might work. The Giottos rocket blower is the best though. When the kit comes remove the lenses from your camera and first blow off the mirror. Then go to the menu and the find lock up mirror option. Follow the directions. When the mirror is up, hold your camera so the opening is facing down and blow air on the sensor being careful not to touch the sensor. Hopefully this will correct your problem and wet cleaning won't be required. Dust on the sensor is a fact of life for these cameras. Zoom lenses "breathe" when move them in and out. Plus, when changing lenses there is a chance for dust to enter.
 
Horoscope Fish

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
Seabeast said:
Does crud on the lens occur often ? How often should i reasonably expect this to occur ? It is usually just induced when changed lenses ?
Click to expand...
It just happens. There's no set schedule and don't get all worked up about it... It's like putting air in your tires, when it needs to be done you just do it.

Seabeast said:
7 IN 1 Professional PRO Lens Camera Cleaner Cleaning KIT Power FOR Canon Nikon | eBay
Click to expand...
Eeesh... No.

Get the real Rocket Blower (there's a reason we all suggest the real deal when it comes to blowers) and some of these Sensor Swabs for wet cleaning. The swabs are to be used with this cleaning solution. You're dealing with cleaning the sensor on your camera... This is not the place to pinch pennies.
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S

Seabeast

New member
Horoscope Fish said:
It just happens. There's no set schedule and don't get all worked up about it... It's like putting air in your tires, when it needs to be done you just do it.
Click to expand...

No worries.

Eeesh... No.

Get the real Rocket Blower (there's a reason we all suggest the real deal when it comes to blowers) and some of these Sensor Swabs for wet cleaning. The swabs are to be used with this cleaning solution. You're dealing with cleaning the sensor on your camera... This is not the place to pinch pennies.
Click to expand...

After looking at the video I will purchase the more appropriate items for cleaning and can assure you that there is no need for you to get all worked up about the prospect of me using the aforementioned 7-in-1 combo cleaning kit.

Kind Regards,
Seabeast.
 
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nickt

Senior Member
I know several guys here use Carson cleaning loupe. It is on my wish list and I may buy one, but I'm doing ok without it. I use a very bright light and I wear a pair of overpowered reading glasses and I can usually identify all the offending specs. $1 at the dollar store around here.
 
Horoscope Fish

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
Seabeast said:
I was just wondering how necessary this product was as the video that Horoscope Fish refers to does not include this item ?
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The loupe is not absolutely essential but it's really, really nice to have. It allows you to very clearly see the sensor surface and anything that shouldn't be there, like dust bunnies, will really jump out at you. The Carson loupe I use is the cheapest one I could (because I just didn't think it was something I needed to spend a ton of money on) and my forgetting to mention was just an oversight.

Someone else mentioned using a pair of reading glasses and a pen light; I think that's an amazingly clever solution... Go with what works!

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TedG954

Senior Member
If you take photographs and ever change lenses..... your camera has the potential of opening itself up to contamination. It's inevitable. Recently, a tiny spider found its way into my view finder. I have no idea as to how it could have happened since my camera is never open for more than a few seconds. Dust is far more probable to "force" its way in.

Bottom line: learn how to clean your sensor. You can do it.
 
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