Water Spots on Sensors at DVinfo.net

Greg Voevodsky · August 2nd, 2008, 06:55 PM

I saw some spots when I was messing around with shallow focus, that look like water spots on the chips... as the lense and filters are as clean as I can get them.... and I do not see anything in the lense.. very similar to my Nikon D100 when shooting in the Caribbean where condensation could form. Anyone else have this problem? I shot 10 days in Hawaii and had the camera overhalled at Sony.

Under normal shooting the focus would not be shallow enough to see this, but it still bothers me...

Carl Pressman · August 5th, 2008, 05:02 AM

I can confirm that indeed, my EX1 also had the same issue. I would equate the spots, however, to dust on the sensors, similar to something you would see with a digital SLR.

I was still within the return period from the retailer, and will receive my replacement EX1 tomorrow.

Until I read about yoru camera, Greg, I thought this would be a one-time isolated issue, but it seems like this could be on ongoing problem.

I sent Sony engineers test footage from my EX1, and they confirmed that it did look like dust on the sensor. Considering that the EX1 is a closed lens system, one would wonder how this could happen. I just hope the replacement camera is dust free.

Dave Morrison · August 5th, 2008, 11:27 AM

The same thing happened to me Carl. I had big chunks of junk on my sensor. It was visible only at full wide angle position and when the lens was stopped down. I'm now on my third lens with my EX1. Good luck with yours.

Christopher Dye · August 5th, 2008, 12:39 PM

I just bought an EX3 recently and am very pleased with it except that I also have what appears to be a speck of dust (or water spot) on the sensor (or maybe lens?). Noticeable only in darker areas of the picture and at stopped down, wide angles as well.

Being that the lens is removable on the EX3, I was wondering if it was wise to blow compressed air in there to maybe remove it. Hopefully this isn't something I have to send in for repair.

Otherwise it's an awesome camera.

Ray Bell · August 5th, 2008, 01:54 PM

Do not blow compressed air into the camera... you could end up with moisture,oil or damaged parts...

There are sensor cleaning kits available on the net, you should also get a good bulb blower
for blowing off the sensor... I keep mine in a plastic bag so the blower won't get dust in it.

Ray Bell · August 6th, 2008, 08:00 AM

Here's a popular sight amongst the SLR folks for cleaning sensors....

This page also shows the rocket blower.. there are tutorials also on this site...

http://www.copperhillimages.com/inde..._Hill_Products

August 2nd, 2008, 06:55 PM	#1
Greg Voevodsky Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Portola Valley Posts: 105	Water Spots on Sensors I saw some spots when I was messing around with shallow focus, that look like water spots on the chips... as the lense and filters are as clean as I can get them.... and I do not see anything in the lense.. very similar to my Nikon D100 when shooting in the Caribbean where condensation could form. Anyone else have this problem? I shot 10 days in Hawaii and had the camera overhalled at Sony. Under normal shooting the focus would not be shallow enough to see this, but it still bothers me...

August 5th, 2008, 05:02 AM	#2
Carl Pressman Tourist Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 1	Confirmation I can confirm that indeed, my EX1 also had the same issue. I would equate the spots, however, to dust on the sensors, similar to something you would see with a digital SLR. I was still within the return period from the retailer, and will receive my replacement EX1 tomorrow. Until I read about yoru camera, Greg, I thought this would be a one-time isolated issue, but it seems like this could be on ongoing problem. I sent Sony engineers test footage from my EX1, and they confirmed that it did look like dust on the sensor. Considering that the EX1 is a closed lens system, one would wonder how this could happen. I just hope the replacement camera is dust free.

August 5th, 2008, 11:27 AM	#3
Dave Morrison Major Player Join Date: May 2002 Location: West Central Florida Posts: 762	The same thing happened to me Carl. I had big chunks of junk on my sensor. It was visible only at full wide angle position and when the lens was stopped down. I'm now on my third lens with my EX1. Good luck with yours. __________________ EX1, Nikon D750 http://www.morrisonphotographics.com http://www.heritagefilm.com

August 5th, 2008, 12:39 PM	#4
Christopher Dye New Boot Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Los Angeles, California Posts: 17	I just bought an EX3 recently and am very pleased with it except that I also have what appears to be a speck of dust (or water spot) on the sensor (or maybe lens?). Noticeable only in darker areas of the picture and at stopped down, wide angles as well. Being that the lens is removable on the EX3, I was wondering if it was wise to blow compressed air in there to maybe remove it. Hopefully this isn't something I have to send in for repair. Otherwise it's an awesome camera.

August 5th, 2008, 01:54 PM	#5
Ray Bell Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 1,414	Do not blow compressed air into the camera... you could end up with moisture,oil or damaged parts... There are sensor cleaning kits available on the net, you should also get a good bulb blower for blowing off the sensor... I keep mine in a plastic bag so the blower won't get dust in it.

August 6th, 2008, 08:00 AM	#6
Ray Bell Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 1,414	Here's a popular sight amongst the SLR folks for cleaning sensors.... This page also shows the rocket blower.. there are tutorials also on this site... http://www.copperhillimages.com/inde..._Hill_Products