CAMERA MIRROR

[Kiya]

I've had a few spots showing up on my photos lately.

I'm pretty sure its from the mirror & not the lenses...............is there anyway/anything I can try to clean the mirror

[Horus]

Kiya, it will not be on the mirror, it is usually dust getting on the sensor, it may be better if you take it into a camera shop and ask them to clean it for you. That is the biggest problem with cameras that have detachable lenses and the advantage of Bridge cameras as that it rarely happens with them. Many cameras have a built in 'shake' mechanism that dislodges dust particals from the sensor and you can get a cleaning kit, but you need to be very careful when using one.

[Kiya]

That's what I was trying avoid going to any shops especially Jessops the nearest to me after my last tales of woe with them.

Ever since I got this camera when switching off it has been set to "Sensor Cleaning" which only takes a second or so.

Now taking some example photos today using different modes the spots don't always show

I have been watching a few video clips on how to clean sensor/lenses with the help of cleaning kits from Amazon.

I wonder if they are worth it.

[Horus]

A question for you Kiya, do the spots show up when you are viewing them on the camera, or when you look at them on the PC monitor?
You may want to have aread of this first:
http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2012/ ... -cleaning/

[Kiya]

Looking at your link I did the test using a white sheet of paper on the floor.

Although no marks are showing here I can still see them when looking through the view finder with each mode.

Depending on what mode the camera is set at the marks sometimes show on camera screen & on PC .

[Horus]

The reason I ask is that sometimes a few of the photosite receptors on the sensor can fail (it is not unusual) and this can result in some noticeable specks on the image, but they are usually most visible when looking at the cameras LCD screen, but they should not show in the Viewfinder as that is a true view through the lens. Have you looked closely down the lens to see if you can see any dust specks on the inside?

[Kiya]

I'm sure its just dust specks gotten in when changing lenses.

I gave the camera a little dunt on a towel & some specks seemed to have moved.

I'll carry on & hope they disappear come time.

Thanks for your help Horus

[Horus]

Just so long as your little 'dunt' does not turn into a big one remember that there is some fragile stuff in there that could get dislogged. Best to get one of those hurricane air blowers and after raising the mirror out of the way (should be in your manual) give it a few blasts inside and on the sensor. As I said before it is the changing of lenses that allows the dust to get into the camera, it can sometimes get inside the actual lens if for example it has a manual zoom and you do it very fast, it can then suck in dust past the seals. Don't be tempted to blow inside the camera as you may get moisture on the inside.

Try using something like this:


But........... be very careful NOT to touch the sensor with the nozzle end or you may damage it.

[Kiya]

Naw Horus it was just a slight dunt, I understand that some things inside camera are so delicate

Ordered the dust blower, so will see if that clears more.

Thanks again

[Horus]

No problems Kiya, that blower should do the job