Help, marks on pic's?

[1963bus]

Hi

I use a Nikon D80 and noticed some marks on a batch of pictures I took, I cleaned my lens [bigma] and thought no more, the last lot of pictures I took had the same marks
There is a sort of crescent top right and two dots opposite on the left, today I fitted another lens to the camera and took a couple of sky shots and the marks are still present.


What do I do next, is it back to the shop and if so which one [I live in Chatham Kent], I bought the camera from Curry's and wouldn't trust them with it.
Advice greatly appreciated.
Brian.

[ChrisR]

Looks like the sensor needs cleaning - it's one big weakness of dSLRs that when you swap lenses there is a fairly good chance that the sensor will attract dust, due to its relative charge. Also you mustn't brush or wipe the sensor because it will create even more problems - a friend of mine bought a "new" dSLR once and did the usual sky shot only to find lovely swirly patterns where the previous owner/user had tried to clean it himself ... needless to say that was returned for a refund. I am pretty sure he sends his cameras to be professionally cleaned every 6-12 months (there must be plenty of reputable companies out there) but I think you are very wise to avoid the high-street chains

[Mike Jackson]

I used to clean the sensor on my Canon 300D using digipads. www.digipad.co.uk

Not had to attempt it with my 50D yet.

Have a look at Introduction - Cleaning Digital Cameras - D-SLR Sensor Cleaning. for in depth instructions.

Mike

[1963bus]

Thanks Mike

I was a little nervous of trying but will read up via the links you've posted

Brian.

[eeyore]

i'd be inclined to try a blower (the bulb type - do not use canned air as it will blow proppelant all over your sensor) or an artic butterfly first , before using sensor swabs

when using the blower remember to turn hold the camera with the sensor pointing down so the dust falls out rather than being redistributed.

[1963bus]

Cheers mate, plucking up courage to have a look at it now

[pressld2]

I clean my own. Normally the Visible Dust Sensor Brush is enough but just occasionally I need to use a sensor swab with Eclipse cleaning fluid. Only had to do that once on my D300 so far.

I don't know for sure but I'm told that if you send your camera in for "professional cleaning" they will use...

A sensor swab with Eclipse cleaning fluid!

They'll just charge you a bundle for it so you might as well do it yourself.

Dave P.

[1963bus]

Thanks Dave, definitely going to look into this as my Son's just purchasing his first DSLR so need to learn [not rich]

[Jim Ford]

Never had to clean the sensors on either of the Olympus DSLRs I've owned - the SSWF cleaning system simply works.

Jim

[tristanba]

I use a rocket blower and then a Sensorklear pen (basically just a lenspen) which only costs a few quid. I have never used a wet cleaning method.

I'd agree the dust-reducing mechanisms do work as my 40D sensor gets much less dusty than my 20D used to