Who can clean my D40?
Discussion
I've had it about 9 months, and taking pics with (very) long exposures leaves me with a picture covered with black dots, and one quite long curved line...
I did once see last year while I was at Oulton, a Corn fly wondering around the inside of Viewfinder...
It happens with both my lenses, so it's obviously somewhere inside the body (Sensor or Mirror?)
Is it something I'll be able to dislodge with a blower, (it's been there a while so I'm guessing it's quite 'stuck') or should I be taking it somewhere for a once over?
Any suggestions as to where to take it (Leeds/Bradford area, but will travel for someone recommended)? I'd like to get it sorted before the Motorsport calendar is in full swing...
I did once see last year while I was at Oulton, a Corn fly wondering around the inside of Viewfinder...
It happens with both my lenses, so it's obviously somewhere inside the body (Sensor or Mirror?)
Is it something I'll be able to dislodge with a blower, (it's been there a while so I'm guessing it's quite 'stuck') or should I be taking it somewhere for a once over?
Any suggestions as to where to take it (Leeds/Bradford area, but will travel for someone recommended)? I'd like to get it sorted before the Motorsport calendar is in full swing...
If it's showing up when you look through the view-finder = mirror or ground glass of the prism
If it's showing up on the photos = sensor dust and rubble
Try an air-blower like a Giotto Rocket - lock the mirror up (probably ano option in the menu) so the sensor is exposed (you're actually looking at the filter above the sensor) and then hold the camera face down (so the dust can drop out) while blowing air around in there - and see what that does.
Otherwise do a quick search of t'internet for sensor cleaning. You can either buy the bits - Visible Dust do a good array of cleaning solutions, swabs, brushes, etc. - or get someone do it. Should only take 1/2 tops.
DO NOT touch the filter on the sensor with the blower - it may scratch it
DO NOT use canned air as it will leave a residue on the sensor filter
BTW, to do a test shot to identify the extent of the dust, set the lens to the smallest aperture, point it at a bright light source (not the sun - a clear, bright blue sky or a well lit white wall) with the manual focus set so the view through the viewfinder is totally out of focus. Then because you'll have a slow shutter speed you can move the camera around while the shutter is open and the resulting image should show the dust on the sensor.
Do a before and after comparison to see if the dust blower worked.
If it's showing up on the photos = sensor dust and rubble
Try an air-blower like a Giotto Rocket - lock the mirror up (probably ano option in the menu) so the sensor is exposed (you're actually looking at the filter above the sensor) and then hold the camera face down (so the dust can drop out) while blowing air around in there - and see what that does.
Otherwise do a quick search of t'internet for sensor cleaning. You can either buy the bits - Visible Dust do a good array of cleaning solutions, swabs, brushes, etc. - or get someone do it. Should only take 1/2 tops.
DO NOT touch the filter on the sensor with the blower - it may scratch it
DO NOT use canned air as it will leave a residue on the sensor filter
BTW, to do a test shot to identify the extent of the dust, set the lens to the smallest aperture, point it at a bright light source (not the sun - a clear, bright blue sky or a well lit white wall) with the manual focus set so the view through the viewfinder is totally out of focus. Then because you'll have a slow shutter speed you can move the camera around while the shutter is open and the resulting image should show the dust on the sensor.
Do a before and after comparison to see if the dust blower worked.
Edited by Nick M on Friday 22 January 16:49
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