Dust in the lens

[theosus]

So I took some pictures at Myrtle beach Saturday. I noticed three spots on the top left of the picture. They repeated themselves in other photos. There is also a worse spot in the bottom right. I followed the instructions for looking for dust, but rather than have to delete it in every picture, I figured cleaning the camera would be a better idea. I locked the mirror up, but didn't see any dust on the sensor. I blew it off with air, but the spots were still on my test shots. Looking at the rear of the lens, I can see what looks l Iike dust Inside the rear element of the lens (18-55mm zoom) and one bigger spot where the bad place is. The spots are only really visible when the lens is zoomed in (rear element closest to focal plane). I tried another 55mm prime, and didn't see any spots, which confirms it's a dusty lens issue. How do you get dust out of the inside of a lens, or am I just screwed... ?

[SusanH1970]

I'm fairly certain you'd have to send it to the manufacturer for cleaning. For a kit lens, it might be cheaper to just buy a new one (or upgrade).

[kirbinster]

While it could be the lens, it is more likely dust on the sensor. Do you get it just with the one lens or with other lenses as well. Just using a rocketblower is not enough to clear some dust (never use canned compressed air). You might need a sensor brush or pen to clean it.

[Jim Poor]

Dust on or in the lens usually won't show up in the photo. It sounds like you're describing dust on your sensor. You may not be able to see the dust with your naked eye though so you may need something like a sensor loupe to see it.

[scootermcq]

Originally Posted by theosus

I tried another 55mm prime, and didn't see any spots, which confirms it's a dusty lens issue. How do you get dust out of the inside of a lens, or am I just screwed... ?

Uh, Guys....

[candleman]

if it's dust on the sensor, it won't show up at wide apertures, and won't move when it does show.

test the two lenses at a narrow aperture against a white sky (or something bright and even in colour)
What aperture did you test the prime at?
that will tell you if it's the camera or the lens.

Also, if it's dust in the lens it is likley to move, depending on which element it's stuck to. lens dust doesn't usualy show up in the image.

[theosus]

Originally Posted by Jim Poor

Dust on or in the lens usually won't show up in the photo. It sounds like you're describing dust on your sensor. You may not be able to see the dust with your naked eye though so you may need something like a sensor loupe to see it.

I might just get a cleaning kit anyway... The dust test instructions say use f22, and the prime lens I used only goes to f/1.4-f/16. I do notice the spots only show up when I'm using smaller apertures on my kit lens, at 5.6 they arent visible, except for one of them. I've had the camera 18 months, never cleaned the sensor.
Amazon the kits vary from 20$ to 66$.... Anyone recommend a good one?

And yes I want a lens upgrade, something in the range of 20-150mm. Lens shopping is so confusing. The 28-135mm lens has some people saying its great, and some absolute crap. I'm guessing anything better than the kit lens would be an improvement...

[Jim Poor]

I recommend a blower like a rocket blower and a lens pen / sensor pen.

Giottos Rocket Air Blower Review

SensorKlear Pen CCD Sensor Cleaner by Lenspen,DL-5607

The wet methods are a last resort and rarely needed.

[autofocus]

Looking at the rear of the lens, I can see what looks l Iike dust Inside the rear element of the lens (18-55mm zoom) and one bigger spot where the bad place is. The spots are only really visible when the lens is zoomed in (rear element closest to focal plane).

Based on what you said here it's quite possible to be in the lens. I've heard of mold build up in a lens, although I've never seen it first hand. Try all the tests that the folks have suggested to see if this lens is the actual culprit.

[Raoul Isidro]

Try using your 55mm prime lens with F11 or F16 aperture.
The spots may magically appear...