Dust spot problem, need some advice.

[SCOTTYDEMCO]

Having a dust problem, and figured I would post before I drive myself crazy with checking bodies/lenses.  I went spotting today and upon my return notice that all of my slower shutter speed shots (1/80-1/160) have 2 or 3 spots.  I see 1 or 2 on a few of my faster shutter speed shots, (1/500) and up.  I was using my 100-400mmL.  Based on some of your experience, does it sound to be more the sensor, or the lens (given it's a push pull)?  Any help would be much appreciated.

[Tonyz]

The diust won't be on the lens...it will be the sensor, but the 100-400 loves to suck in dust!

[Comet]

Having a dust problem, and figured I would post before I drive myself crazy with checking bodies/lenses.  I went spotting today and upon my return notice that all of my slower shutter speed shots (1/80-1/160) have 2 or 3 spots.  I see 1 or 2 on a few of my faster shutter speed shots, (1/500) and up.  I was using my 100-400mmL.  Based on some of your experience, does it sound to be more the sensor, or the lens (given it's a push pull)?  Any help would be much appreciated.

sensor.  A couple of quick passes over the sensor with an Arctic Butterfly by Visbledust does the trick.

[skippyscage]

all DSLR's suffer with dust - have you cleaned the sensor (filter)?

[SCOTTYDEMCO]

Commet, Tony, Skippy, thanks for the quick respones.  I have cleaned/have blown the sensor, getting rid of the dust, several times in the past, however it seems to be happening more?  I am feeling it is because of the 100-400 lens.  I understand why it is more visable at slower shutter speeds but spots always were visable to me with all shutter speeds.  Don't know if i'm just unlucky or looking for a reason to sell my 1-4.

[skippyscage]

have you been shooting in dusty or windy conditions? have you been changing lenses?

there are loads of factors to getting more/less dust - IMHO the "dust pumper" moniker of the 100-400 is more of a convenient urban legend - when I had mine I got not more or less dust than I do now using fixed length lenses.

[SCOTTYDEMCO]

Paul, I've always been pretty careful with changing lenses, I don't do it that often, as I have 2 bodies.  Wind is always a factor, it was windy today here in NY though.  I just feel in the first year of shooting digital I never had the dust problems I do now.  Maybe I was just lucky?  Well I'm off to go blow   
I'll leave that one open for riddicule.

[skippyscage]

you may also get sunburn stuburn spots from time to time - the only way to get rid is the "wet" method - Cooper Mill is a good product

[Liza]

Upon switching to the 100-400mm lens, I had to clean the sensor every time I used it. Got tired of it and switched back to the Bigma. Don't have the IS now, but also don't have to clean the camera as much.

[BillF]

I got my 5D at the same time as I got the 100-400. After every shoot, I have dust. I didn't have as much on my Rebel 300 or 350. I also have a lot of dust on the mirror that I clean regularly.

I liked Comet's setup of putting the 1.4 TC to seal the camera and have ordered one for when I'm changing lenses.

Also, I'm hoping that the dust removal system the Mark III is going to have is effective. Has anyone with the Canon 400D posted on how that dust removal works for them?

[SCOTTYDEMCO]

Bill I have heard from seveal people that the  cleaning system on the XTI does work well.  I have also heard that it is more tempermental, so if or when you get those stuborn spots like Paul said, it's not as safe to go blowing around in there.

[BillF]

My experience is that "blowing" is counter-productive. When I'm done with that there is typically more dust than when I started.

[GeoffS]

You get used to cleaning...

...a lot...   

It's part of my "before bed" routine these days.

I second the Visible Dust brushes.  Most times they work perfectly. 

The Copperhill or Photo Solutions wet-methods are a perfect backup for "stubborn spots".  I'd get some Sensor Swabs and the appropriate fluid.

Cheers,

Geoff S.

[SCOTTYDEMCO]

You were right Paul.  I have the stubborn spots.  I got a cleaning kit and will be going in with a wet swab tomorrow.  Any tips before I dive in, other than don't smudge?  It's my XT body.

[skippyscage]

just follow the instructions, and have a practice before you dive in.

the main reason people get wet smudges is because they put too much fluid on the swab - Copperhill for instance says 2 drops only - this is really important.

once you've done it a few times you'll wonder what all the fuss was about.

remember it's actually the sensor filter you are cleaning not the sensor itself, so you are only going to damage it if you treat it really roughly.

good luck