How to Avoid a Dirty DSLR Image Sensor
If you’ve got a DSLR you’ve probably had the experience of uploading your photos onto your computer after a long day of photography - only to find that there are dark ’spots’ and ‘blotches’ on your pictures.
These spots and blotches appear on all your shots in exactly the same position. They might be less noticeable on backgrounds with lots of detail (and more noticeable on plain backgrounds (like blue skies - especially when you have a small aperture) - but they’re there in all your shots (the picture to the left is one of the worst examples I’ve seen - and was the result of poor image sensor cleaning technique).
The reason for these marks is that you’ve almost certainly got dust on your camera’s image sensor.
Cameras are being developed that combat this problem (for example the Canon EOS 400D/Revel Xti and others) but until we all go out and upgrade our DSLR we’re all susceptible to it.
Most DSLR owners do eventually get some on your sensor (unless you never change your lens) but here are some tips for decreasing the likelihood of it:
- Avoid changing lenses in risky environments (where there is wind, water, dust etc) - pick a lens and try to stick with it.
- Turn camera off before changing lenses. On some cameras the sensor has an electric charge that will actually attract dust to it like a magnet.
- Hold camera upside down (with the opening facing down) when changing lenses - it’s impossible for dust to fall into your camera if it’s upside down (unless there is wind that blows it up into it).
- Have your lens ready when you’re changing lenses (be prepared and have your new lens ready to attach so that your camera is open for as short a time as possible).
- Check your lenses for dust before attaching them - have a blower that you can get any specs off your lens with.
- Clean your image sensor with care. There’s a lot of debate about whether to do it yourself or whether to get your sensor professionally cleaned (see below for of some of the DIY approaches to cleaning sensors) If you do tackle it yourself do so with extreme care - let the picture above be motivation to get it right!
To test if your image sensor is dirty photograph a white wall with a small aperture (large number) and you should see it in the images that result if you have any.
See some of the techniques for cleaning dirty and dusty image sensors below:
- Understanding Digital SLR Sensor Cleaning
- Cleaning Camera Sensor
- Digital Sensor Cleaning - Part 1
- Digital Camera Cleaning Techniques and Products
- Image Sensor Cleaning
- Cleaning Your Sensor
- Nikon CCD Cleaning Guide
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November 3rd, 2006 at 3:00 pm
Hi, I always enjoy the tips. I have several Konica T3’s from many years ago. Some had Fast lenses f1.4 and another f1.8. It seemed easier to shoot in low light because of very fast film speeds and it was more forgiving.
I have learned with digital to keep shooting because there are many shots that you may catch a great shot of someone who is not the focus of the show but who may be somewhat lost in the background too.
My question is: With digital, why is shooting in RAW better?
Thanks, Dennis
November 3rd, 2006 at 3:39 pm
check out this post Dennis
November 4th, 2006 at 1:39 am
The olympus e500 has a automatic sensor cleaner every time you turn it on.
November 7th, 2006 at 8:28 am
basic tips almost intuitive still good to have them all in one place for the beginners.
November 26th, 2006 at 11:28 pm
Thank You I’m very new to all digital and computer’stuff’ Love it all and am learning, slowly but surely. Especially with articles and sites such as this. Invaluable, thank you again. I even learned how to tag this with del.icio.us in deeping it in my site.
August 23rd, 2007 at 4:28 am
A lot of people are afraid to clean their sensor. I’be been cleaning my own sensor since the first dslr I bought. There’s no danger if you are careful. It’s very easy to get dust inside nowdays. Thankfully Canonrecently acknowledged the problem and start releasing cameras with the auto clean technology. Stores in Canada charger $100+ to clean your sensor. Even more if you send it to the manufacturer+ weeks of wait time
March 1st, 2008 at 1:42 pm
It’s a rebel, not revel. Just pointing it out. Good tut and tips. I am going to share this with my old photography prof.
March 7th, 2008 at 5:12 am
Hello, I have a similar problem but I’m not sure how to address it. During a recent trip to WRC in Mexico, I picked up some dust. I can only see it when I look through the viewfinder but it is very annoying. I followed all the tips as close as possible, but it was a pretty dusty environment and I don’t have the $ to purchase another camera just to not have to switch lenses.
I can’t find a lot of information on how to get that cleaned. I have a rebel xti. If you remove the lens, you see the mirror and directly above it is a white piece that shows the focus points… the dust is settled on top of this so no amount of air will move them out of the way. Any suggestions? Again, the dust does not ever show up on the pictures, I see it only through the viewfinder and so its not a huge problem as much as it is an annoyance.