Digital Rebel Dust Problem at DVinfo.net

Jenn Kramer · March 28th, 2004, 05:18 AM

Hey guys, I'm currently in Amsterdam and far, far away from my Digital Rebel manual, but I'm having a particular problem someone here might have a clue about. I've got the standard kit lens and a Canon 28-135 EF lens for the rebel, and yesterday a 'smudge' started appearing in the left hand side of images taken with a high (20-22 or so) aperature setting. It's not very big, maybe 20 pixels across, just enough to darken the image so you can spot it on a photo of the sky, or something else light and smooth. It's noticable on the preview lcd, but not in the viewfinder, and it shows up with both lenses, which makes me think that it's something in the sensor. I just took some shots of the white on the left of the posting page from 22 down to 5.6, and it shows up in all of them, but gets less and less visible as the aperature drops and the shutter speed increases. Thoughts? Also, if it's the sensor, any suggestions on the best way to clean it?

Jenn Kramer · March 28th, 2004, 08:47 AM

I think the problem's been resolved. I found the rebel manual online, and picked up a lens cleaning kit with a plastic blower with removable brush for 5.95 euro, and a quick few puffs later it seems to be back to it's good old pure self.

Jeff Donald · March 28th, 2004, 08:54 AM

You are correct, it's dust on the sensor. By stopping down the lens, you increased DOF and the dust became sharper and more noticeable. Just use the blower and you should be fine. Try to avoid touching the sensor (CMOS chip) if at all possible. I've heard horror stories of it getting scratched very easily.

David Mintzer · March 28th, 2004, 11:45 PM

Thats a fairly common problem with DSLR's--you will find that the sensor is like a dust magnet and depending upon the enviornment you work in, could need frequent cleanings. I would stay away from standard cleaners--the consensus among the pros is to use Eclipse fluid applied with a pec pad wrapped in a spatula---

Dan Brown · March 29th, 2004, 08:26 AM

"--the consensus among the pros is to use Eclipse fluid applied with a pec pad wrapped in a spatula---"

An interesting point, for which I am awaiting a translation...

David Mintzer · March 29th, 2004, 07:22 PM

Sorry---this kind of sums it up:

http://www.pbase.com/copperhill/ccd_cleaning

It works very well and is relatively safe---in other words people have been using this combo for quite awhile with no problems.

Roger Golub · April 14th, 2004, 02:08 PM

Nice site, boy am I glad I have an sealed system (Olympus E-1). It also keeps me from buying expensive lenses.

March 28th, 2004, 05:18 AM	#1
Jenn Kramer Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 389 Images: 1	Digital Rebel Dust Problem Hey guys, I'm currently in Amsterdam and far, far away from my Digital Rebel manual, but I'm having a particular problem someone here might have a clue about. I've got the standard kit lens and a Canon 28-135 EF lens for the rebel, and yesterday a 'smudge' started appearing in the left hand side of images taken with a high (20-22 or so) aperature setting. It's not very big, maybe 20 pixels across, just enough to darken the image so you can spot it on a photo of the sky, or something else light and smooth. It's noticable on the preview lcd, but not in the viewfinder, and it shows up with both lenses, which makes me think that it's something in the sensor. I just took some shots of the white on the left of the posting page from 22 down to 5.6, and it shows up in all of them, but gets less and less visible as the aperature drops and the shutter speed increases. Thoughts? Also, if it's the sensor, any suggestions on the best way to clean it?

March 28th, 2004, 08:54 AM	#3
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	You are correct, it's dust on the sensor. By stopping down the lens, you increased DOF and the dust became sharper and more noticeable. Just use the blower and you should be fine. Try to avoid touching the sensor (CMOS chip) if at all possible. I've heard horror stories of it getting scratched very easily. __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

March 29th, 2004, 08:26 AM	#5
Dan Brown Major Player Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Fort Worth, Texas Posts: 235	"--the consensus among the pros is to use Eclipse fluid applied with a pec pad wrapped in a spatula---" An interesting point, for which I am awaiting a translation... __________________ dB

March 28th, 2004, 08:47 AM	#2
Jenn Kramer Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 389 Images: 1	I think the problem's been resolved. I found the rebel manual online, and picked up a lens cleaning kit with a plastic blower with removable brush for 5.95 euro, and a quick few puffs later it seems to be back to it's good old pure self.

March 28th, 2004, 11:45 PM	#4
David Mintzer Rextilleon Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Pleasantville, NY Posts: 520	Thats a fairly common problem with DSLR's--you will find that the sensor is like a dust magnet and depending upon the enviornment you work in, could need frequent cleanings. I would stay away from standard cleaners--the consensus among the pros is to use Eclipse fluid applied with a pec pad wrapped in a spatula---

March 29th, 2004, 07:22 PM	#6
David Mintzer Rextilleon Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Pleasantville, NY Posts: 520	Sorry---this kind of sums it up: http://www.pbase.com/copperhill/ccd_cleaning It works very well and is relatively safe---in other words people have been using this combo for quite awhile with no problems.

April 14th, 2004, 02:08 PM	#7
Roger Golub Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Sitka, AK Posts: 46	Nice site, boy am I glad I have an sealed system (Olympus E-1). It also keeps me from buying expensive lenses.