dust on sensor, i think

[jcs727]

when i look through my viewfinder on my digital rebel, i see what looks like tiny pieces of hair. i changed lenses and see the same spots. Is this considered dust on the sensor? If yes, what is the best way to take care of it. I read a few threads about it, but they all seem risky, i.e., i can get more dust in there. Any suggestions for someone nervous about cleaning the camera themselves?

[Peter_AUS]

It could be on the mirror as well, which is more likely. You shouldn't see it, if you are just changing lenses as the curtain isn't trigger to reveal the sensor until you actualy push the button to take the picture.

[another view]

If you can see it by looking thru the viewfinder, then it isn't on the sensor. You could try blowing it out with a blower bulb, but don't touch the mirror. They scratch very easily.

[jcs727]

If you can see it by looking thru the viewfinder, then it isn't on the sensor. You could try blowing it out with a blower bulb, but don't touch the mirror. They scratch very easily.

excuse my ignorance, but where would i blow into--do i just remove the lens and blow into there or do i do what it says in the manual. i am very unfamiliar with all of this so please explain in simplest terms. thanks for the help.

[DownByFive]

Yeah, just remove the lens and use some compressed air. Better to point the opening down to minimize the stuff resettling on the mirror. If it was dust on your sensor, you'd see it on your pics as little, semi-transparent dark spots, and generally only when using smaller apertures.

[jcs727]

excuse my ignorance, but where would i blow into--do i just remove the lens and blow into there or do i do what it says in the manual. i am very unfamiliar with all of this so please explain in simplest terms. thanks for the help.

and what would happen if the mirror gets scratched. what do you do for that? thanks again.

[DownByFive]

Scratching the mirror won't really hurt anything, since it won't affect your images. But if you were to scratch it badly enough, it could make it hard to manual focus. But I think it'd have to be a heck of a scratch to even be noticeable in the viewfinder, and even then, it'd just be an annoyance.

[another view]

Scratching the mirror isn't the end or the world, but obviously it's something you want to avoid. It's not going to be an improvement! Repair cost for replacing the mirror would probably be fairly expensive, so keep that in mind.

I use a blower like this. Compressed air is stronger, so be careful with it - plus if the can isn't held vertically you can get some of the propellant to discharge which may leave a residue. Take the lens off and hold the camera lens mount down (problem with doing this with compressed air cans here). Blow air onto the mirror and against the focusing screen (parallel to the top of the camera, what the mirror flips up against when pressing the shutter release). Holding it this way will help gravity get the dust out of the camera rather than just move it to a different place inside the mirror box.

[jcs727]

Scratching the mirror isn't the end or the world, but obviously it's something you want to avoid. It's not going to be an improvement! Repair cost for replacing the mirror would probably be fairly expensive, so keep that in mind.

I use a blower like this. Compressed air is stronger, so be careful with it - plus if the can isn't held vertically you can get some of the propellant to discharge which may leave a residue. Take the lens off and hold the camera lens mount down (problem with doing this with compressed air cans here). Blow air onto the mirror and against the focusing screen (parallel to the top of the camera, what the mirror flips up against when pressing the shutter release). Holding it this way will help gravity get the dust out of the camera rather than just move it to a different place inside the mirror box.

thanks for the advice. i am going to get that blower you suggested and give it a try. the reason i asked about the scratch on the mirror is when i take the lens off the camera, i think i can see a slight line or scratch on the mirror. then again, maybe it is just the dust i am seeing. oh well, i will try the blower and hope for the best. it is incredible how nervous and crazy this is making me. sorry if it seems extreme. thanks again.

[jcs727]

JCS:

If you're nervous about cleaning the sensor yourself -- do what I do -- I just take my camera into our local camera store (Canoga Camera) and they use the blower on it, don't charge me a dime, and it takes less than a minute. I did not buy my camera at the store where I take it for cleaning but they have never given me any static, they just open it up, blow it out and hand it back to me.

Hope this helps!

Best to You,
Penny

Penny

Thanks for that advice. I would definitely feel better having someone who knows what they are doing do it. Just one question. I seem to recall reading that sometimes having someone else do it runs the risk of ending up with more dust. I guess it depends on the place. I am going to run to the local store today and ask them about it. Thanks for taking the time to answer my question and I will keep you posted on my "crisis". : )

[jcs727]

JCS:

Please take this in good humor -- but you REALLY are a nervous nellie! There's RISK in picking up your camera -- you could slip and drop it. ;)

Call your camera store, ask if they're going to charge you anything for blowing it out and, if the price is right, take it in to them and have them do it. Watch what they do and you might feel confident enough to do it yourself next time. The only reason I have them do it is because while I'm busy shopping in their store, they need to have something to do while I make my purchase selections!

Have a good day J.

Best to You,
Penny

Believe me, you are not the first person to call me that. I appreciate you putting up with my obviously uwarranted angst and I am going to try it today. Thanks again for your help.