Weird dark dot/patch in corner of all photos

I got a Pentax *ist DL 2 DSLR in August last year - it's worked fine, apart from eating batteries like there's no tomorrow. However, since around March of this year, a dark spot has been appearing towards the top left corner of every image.

I've tried several lenses, and it's still there. I tried using the "mirror up" sensor cleaning option in the menu to get a look at the sensor, and I can't see anything on it - it looks perfectly clean.

You should be able to see the dot quite clearly on the two photos in this folder* - the first photo was taken with my Pentax 18-55mm lens, the second with my Pentax 70-210mm. You can also see it in this photo.

Any ideas?

* I Photoshopped the images to increase the contrast so you can see the dot more clearly.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Fr3d

I got a Pentax *ist DL 2 DSLR in August last year - it's worked fine, apart from eating batteries like there's no tomorrow. However, since around March of this year, a dark spot has been appearing towards the top left corner of every image.

I've tried several lenses, and it's still there. I tried using the "mirror up" sensor cleaning option in the menu to get a look at the sensor, and I can't see anything on it - it looks perfectly clean.

You should be able to see the dot quite clearly on the two photos in this folder* - the first photo was taken with my Pentax 18-55mm lens, the second with my Pentax 70-210mm. You can also see it in this photo.

Any ideas?

* I Photoshopped the images to increase the contrast so you can see the dot more clearly.

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It's just a speck of dust, quite typical. The appearance varies with the lens aperture and focal length. Too small to be seen with the naked eye. Get some sensor swabs and learn how to use them.

Charles

Charles is right, that is dust on your sensor. I use a Rocket blower to clean off my sensor. The best $10 I have spent on photo gear!

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...r_Blower_.html

DON'T use the compressed air in a can!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mjs1973

Charles is right, that is dust on your sensor.

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Thanks Charles :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mjs1973

I use a Rocket blower to clean off my sensor. The best $10 I have spent on photo gear!

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...r_Blower_.html

DON'T use the compressed air in a can!!

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I have a similar thing but smaller, which can (optionally) attach to a small brush - Thanks for the tip :)

apparently sensor wipes are the best way to get rid of this dust. Rocketblower tends to not get the stuff that is adhered to the sensor, but if you use wipes you can get it off.

http://www.copperhillimages.com/index.php?pr=tutorials

good tutorial on it. I really need to just spend the 30 bux and take care of my sensor. It's REALLY dirty.

You bought your Pentax last August so it's probably still under guarantee. I don't know how Pentax are in the UK but Nikon in France are really good. They have a Customer Service place in the center of Paris. They will clean your sensor on the spot and if the camera is under guarantee they do it for free. Last year I took my D200 in two weeks running after changing lenses on a windy day.

Of course - since I bought the 18-200 dust problems have become a thing of the past. I hardly ever change lenses on the D200 nowadays.

After using the blower thing the mark is gone from my photos - thanks :)

The guarantee was next on my list if it hadn't turned out to be something as simple as dust :D