Why all these spots?

[Craig Brelsford]

I'd like some help here, friends. See the photo below. It's the top left-hand corner of an image shot at f32. I was lying on my belly near a flock of several dozen shorebirds. I wanted to show as much depth of field as possible. You see the result. It's as if I were photographing a meteor shower.

Facts

1. I bought the camera used for this shot, a Nikon D3S, in November 2010. I'm a very active shooter, but since I use only one lens (600 mm f4 Nikon, bought in August 2009), I don't expose the camera to the air very frequently.

2. I live in Shanghai, China. In my apartment here, more dust accumulates on my computer, furniture, and books in one day than accumulates in two months in my other home in Volusia County, Florida. Why do I say this? Just to show that when I do switch lenses (while in Shanghai), I'm exposing my D3S to some of the dustiest air in the world.

3. Before you comment, I'd like you to read this thread from last year.

http://www.birdphotographers.net/for...ighlight=spots

I want to know whether you think there's any connection between the spots (which still exist) on my lens and the spots you're seeing in the photo here.

4. Let me tell you how I clean the sensor on my D3S. With the lens off, I turn the camera face down, and, with the setting on mirror-up, I press the shutter release button. Next, I take my "rocket" (squeeze blower), and blow air into the camera. In "The Birdwatcher's Guide to Digital Photography," David Tipling recommends this technique, even though he says that some photographers don't like it, because it's possible to blow dust even deeper into the camera.

Questions

1. What caused my meteor shower?

2. What do you suggest I do about what seems to be an uncommonly high amount of dust in my D3S?

[Don Nelson]

At f32, you are photographing the dust on the sensor and rear(camera) end of the lens.... Artie mentioned not to do this during his lecture at Winter Wings in February.

[Craig Brelsford]

At f32, you are photographing the dust on the sensor and rear(camera) end of the lens.... Artie mentioned not to do this during his lecture at Winter Wings in February.

Hi Don, the problem isn't f32 but dust. I used an f32 shot because it exhibits the problems most graphically. I have shots at f22 and even more open apertures in which the problem is apparent. And I don't understand something. Was Artie saying that photographers should avoid using tight apertures? But of course it's often necessary. Take a look at the full shot. I wanted to show the whole flock, not the front of the flock with ghostly shadows of birds in the BG. At f32, I even got the boat and the horizon. What's the alternative to a tight aperture in a case such as this? There is none.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Hi Craig, what you are seeing is normal accumulation of dust on your sensor over time. Who knows how the previous owner got rid of his dust (if at all). Rocket blowers get rid of the loose stuff and is a good thing to do, but there is always some dust that is "stuck" on the sensor that no amount of air will get rid of. You'll need to do a more thourough cleaning of the sensor...you have some options here:

https://store.birdsasart.com/shop/ca....aspx?catid=11

You can always send the camera to Nikon for a professional cleaning, but the kit(s) listed in the link above are easy to use (although I acknowledge it is stressful to do it yourself the first time)

I used my backup 30D late this winter (a friend used to own it), and took a few images at small apertures and the dust accumulation looked the same as in your example..........

[Craig Brelsford]

Hi Craig, what you are seeing is normal accumulation of dust on your sensor over time. Who knows how the previous owner got rid of his dust (if at all). . . .

Daniel, hi, thank you! I should have made it clear that the D3S I bought last year was brand spankin' new.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Shows you how easily and quickly dust gathers on the sensor!

[Dan Brown]

Do you use the automatic sensor cleaner in the camera? I have mine set to clean both when turning on and off the body. How often do you change lenses? I've resorted to almost never taking my tele off of my D300!

[Don Nelson]

Hi Don, the problem isn't f32 but dust. I used an f32 shot because it exhibits the problems most graphically. I have shots at f22 and even more open apertures in which the problem is apparent. And I don't understand something. Was Artie saying that photographers should avoid using tight apertures? But of course it's often necessary. Take a look at the full shot. I wanted to show the whole flock, not the front of the flock with ghostly shadows of birds in the BG. At f32, I even got the boat and the horizon. What's the alternative to a tight aperture in a case such as this? There is none.

If you decide on f32, then your choice is to both try to keep the sensor spotless, and plan on spending a lot of quality time with photoshop.

[Craig Brelsford]

Do you use the automatic sensor cleaner in the camera?

The answer to your simple, common-sense question, Dan, was no, but now it's yes. Talk about missing the obvious, me. Thanks for the hint!

[Craig Brelsford]

If you decide on f32, then your choice is to both try to keep the sensor spotless, and plan on spending a lot of quality time with photoshop.

Great, thanks, Don. Now I'm seeing that my spots are more or less to be expected. Yep. Narrow aperture, expect spots. Got it!

[Craig Brelsford]

Hi Craig, what you are seeing is normal accumulation of dust on your sensor over time. . . . I used my backup 30D late this winter (a friend used to own it), and took a few images at small apertures and the dust accumulation looked the same as in your example..........

Thanks, Dan. As you can see by reading this thread, I'm beginning to see that my problem is more or less normal. My main concern was whether my buildup of dust was abnormal. It's also good to hear that a shooter of your caliber uses a rocket blower. If it's good enough for you, then it's good enuf for me!

[Bob Decker]

At f32, you are photographing the dust on the sensor and rear(camera) end of the lens.... Artie mentioned not to do this during his lecture at Winter Wings in February.

I suspect there's more than a few macro photographers that would take exception to that suggestion.

As others have mentioned, your sensor is dirty and in need of a good cleaning. Use the camera's "sensor clean" option and throw in a good "wet cleaning" now and then and it should be fine.

[Tom Graham]

Regarding seeing dirt on the -sensor- itself, I like the Sensor Loupe to check sensor dust before and after sensor cleaning. The LEDs and the way they are arranged make the dust look 3-D on the sensor, works good. Maybe a little expensive at $90.
http://www.visibledust.com/products3.php?pid=602

Tom

[Grant Eldridge]

The older D3 had a problem where some would spray oil on the sensor from the shutter release. Although I haven't experienced it myself a friend of mine had the issue. But I haven't heard of it occurring on the D3s. Best to start with a proper sensor cleaning or by the Sensor Loupe and you will likely be able to tell what they are. If it is oil you will want to send it back to Nikon for a complete repair.

Grant

[Dan Brown]

The older D3 had a problem where some would spray oil on the sensor from the shutter release. Although I haven't experienced it myself a friend of mine had the issue. But I haven't heard of it occurring on the D3s. Best to start with a proper sensor cleaning or by the Sensor Loupe and you will likely be able to tell what they are. If it is oil you will want to send it back to Nikon for a complete repair.

Grant

Yuk!:eek::eek: