D80, please help!!!

[YoAshnish]

I just purchased a D80 one week ago, about four days into taking photo's with it, I noticed a couple of spots on the photos, always in the same place and usually would notice it only on deep blue skys. I just came back from the photo shop and told them about this issue. They said it was dust on the sensor. I was really surprised because, like I said, it was only 1 week old (and I first noticed the dust 4 days in), I never took off the lens...of course, I did have to attach it after purchase, but that took only seconds. Is it that common??? I had some concern that maybe the body had been used prior to purchase, as the plastic cover for the LCD screen was already attatched, or do they come already attached???? Anywho, the two people at the photo shop were not really "Nikon" people and were not able to get the mirror lock to function...battery a little to low. I was told that when I got home, charge the battery and then perform the mirror lock up and use a little pump blower to blow off the dust and do this once every two weeks. I've read all kinds of stuff regarding the sensor and it's sensitivity, so I was surprised to hear their instructions. So, if anyone has ANY information on this, I would really appreciate it!!! Thank you so much in advance for your help!

[Nicole]

I was really surprised because, like I said, it was only 1 week old (and I first noticed the dust 4 days in), I never took off the lens...of course, I did have to attach it after purchase, but that took only seconds. Is it that common???

Yes, it is common. The camera doesn't exist in a purely "clean" environment from the time it's made until the time that you get it. It's very possible for dust to come loose in the shipping process of once you've been using your camera (even without changing the lens).

I had some concern that maybe the body had been used prior to purchase, as the plastic cover for the LCD screen was already attatched, or do they come already attached????

Sorry, don't know the answer to this one. The d50 doesn't have an LCD screen protector. But I wouldn't necessarily think that would mean it's used.

I was told that when I got home, charge the battery and then perform the mirror lock up and use a little pump blower to blow off the dust and do this once every two weeks. I've read all kinds of stuff regarding the sensor and it's sensitivity, so I was surprised to hear their instructions. So, if anyone has ANY information on this, I would really appreciate it!!! Thank you so much in advance for your help!

Yup, nothing wrong with using the little blower at all. Just make sure you're facing the lens opening of your camera downwards so that you aren't getting more dust into the body. Some people even use the blower whenever they change their lens just to make sure nothing is getting in. I'm not nearly that consistent with it. The sensor, yes, it's sensitive, but there are cleaning kits that can be used without ill-effect as long as you're careful. The Copper Hill Sensor Sweep (http://digital-photography-school.com/forum/showthread.php?t=938) and Cleaning Kit (http://digital-photography-school.com/forum/showthread.php?t=926) come to mind. I've used the dry one, and Leisa (NaturesPixel) used the wet one.

Hope that this soothes some of your concerns. But the blower isn't going to hurt it unless you start hitting the sensor with the plastic bits of the blower ;)

[YoAshnish]

Thank you so much Nicole!!! It relieves my concerns tremendously!!! After spending that kind of $$$ on my cam, I was (obiviously) leary of doing anything like that (blower) for fear of damaging it! Oddly enough....I have visions of hitting the sensor with the plastic piece (not because you said it, it was already there in my mind)....oi! Hopefully I will shake that vision out before the dust blowing begins!:rolleyes:

[Dr. WooD]

I got my D80 a few weeks ago. They come with the LCD cover on. Its just to protect the screen.

[NaturesPixel]

yep my D80 came with the LCD screen protector on it already also :)

just be careful when using a blower... because these blowers can collect micro dust bunnies within and just blow them back on to your sensor.. i found the easiest was was with my wet kit from copper hill :)

[YoAshnish]

Thanks for the info about the screen protector, it freaked me out as I read the manual about putting it on and it was already on:rolleyes: . You've help put my mind at ease, thank you!
NaturesPixel, dust bunnies in the bulb blower, I was wondering about that too, after all, they are not sealed, theres the hole for the air to blow out of...plus it sucks air into it too! I did use it but it seems like there is more dust on the sensor now:confused: ....I am going to go back to the photo store today for more assistance. I am sure in time, this will not freak me out so much...but being a newbee...I am gonna take my time here.
Thank you all for help and especially for easing my mind:D