DSLR Cleaning Help - D5000 - Newbie

[fromage]

Just need a bit of help and advice about DSLR cleaning.

I have noticed on my pictures one spec of dust in the top right of all my images, checked the lens and its not that so I think it may be on the mirror or the sensor.

What do you recommend using to clean the sensor ? Also is there any chance of it being on mirror?

Or if there is anyone really nice to be able to show me in Balham/Clapham as need to get this sorted before I go off to Cuba Tuesday and dont fancy that one spec of dust on all my photos, the camera is only 1000 pictures old so dont really want to send it off somewhere to be cleaned as its only really that one tiny spec.

Thanks for any help I get

[andy-xr]

Give it a blast with a Rocket Blower, should be able to pick one up today from any of the high st camera shops

[fromage]

Sorry forgot to say already used a blower to not much luck.

Cheers

[beano500]

fromage said:

... Balham/Clapham ...

If it's really bad, and hence worth getting it done before something important, you could try popping into Fixation who will usually do it while you wait.

Have a look at their website

[Chicken Pox]

fromage said:

Just need a bit of help and advice about DSLR cleaning.

I have noticed on my pictures one spec of dust in the top right of all my images, checked the lens and its not that so I think it may be on the mirror or the sensor.

What do you recommend using to clean the sensor ? Also is there any chance of it being on mirror?

Or if there is anyone really nice to be able to show me in Balham/Clapham as need to get this sorted before I go off to Cuba Tuesday and dont fancy that one spec of dust on all my photos, the camera is only 1000 pictures old so dont really want to send it off somewhere to be cleaned as its only really that one tiny spec.

Thanks for any help I get

This months Practical Photographer has a thorough guide to how to self clean, for sensor clean they recommended "DUST-AID Platinum" (it's also got some good low light features to try out) if you don't want to send it off.

[fromage]

Here is the spot in the top right, pretty damn obviously on light backgrounds

[SamHH]

Yes, it's dust on the sensor. It won't be on the mirror because the mirror's only purpose is to reflect the image into the viewfinder; it moves out of the way when you take a photo (except in a few specialised SLRs that have a fixed, semi-transparent mirror).

If blowing it away isn't working, then you need some sort of brush or swab. This is what I use and have found to be effective:

http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-visible-dust-a...

ETA: when you tried blowing it away, you did have the sensor exposed (i.e. mirror up and shutter open) didn't you?

Edited by SamHH on Sunday 10th January 12:30

[beano500]

Yup looks like sensor. It'll be more noticeable at small apertures - if you ever want to test for dust, stop the lens right down and take shots of a plain wall/sky. If you've got dust and you're a million miles from civilisation, just open the aperture up to minimise the effect on plain parts of the image.

.....Or settle down to some nice cosy evenings in front of Photoshop....


BTW what's on the mirror won't directly affect the sensor/image, but it's always worth being a bit aware when changing lenses and getting dust into the body. Zoom lenses are quite good at sucking dust and particles in too!

[fromage]

Managed to track a friend down with some Sensor swab which he swears by and some Methanol, does this sound safe ?

[Lucas CAV]

fromage said:

Managed to track a friend down with some Sensor swab which he swears by and some Methanol, does this sound safe ?

if you ar eoff on holiday with it next week -- now is not the time to learn IMHO

go to a shop if poss.