Marks on pics from my lens (sun or dust spots I think) - Help!

Delorian

Some time after shelling out NZD$800 on a 10-22ml lens for my Canon 450 I noticed marks apperring on the images in the exact same place. They appear to a varying degree when I catch light in a certain way and are pretty hard to reproduce, but are visible in maybe 10% of my images.

I brought the camera with a couple of lenses to my local shop and they told me it's likely there's something in the lens casing, and my options are keep using it and whatever it is will eventually become dislodged (recommended), or spend a ferocious amount of money getting Canon to repair it.

Do you guys have any idea (tips, tricks or professional) how I might be able to get rid of the issue? Even if you can tell me the name of or details about the issue so I can do a bit of research myself, that'd be great.

Example shots.

flyingsnail

are you sure its dust on the lens and not on the sensor?

cameramonkey

try another lens, if they are still there its the sensor.

KAGY

Delorian wrote: »

Some time after shelling out NZD$800 on a 10-22ml lens for my Canon 450 I noticed marks apperring on the images in the exact same place. They appear to a varying degree when I catch light in a certain way and are pretty hard to reproduce, but are visible in maybe 10% of my images.

I brought the camera with a couple of lenses to my local shop and they told me it's likely there's something in the lens casing, and my options are keep using it and whatever it is will eventually become dislodged (recommended), or spend a ferocious amount of money getting Canon to repair it.

Do you guys have any idea (tips, tricks or professional) how I might be able to get rid of the issue? Even if you can tell me the name of or details about the issue so I can do a bit of research myself, that'd be great.

Example shots.

Check different lenses to see if its the lens or sensor. To make sure it appears set your camera to manual or AV mode and choose the Max f number. Take a photo of a blank wall or the sky etc. Don't worry about camera shake, or focus. Repeat with different lenses to check.

Effects

You will notice it more at smaller apertures, that's why you can only see it in some of your images. They are both shot at f22 so that's why it's easy to see them. There are loads of other spots there too, more noticeable in the second photo.

pete4130

It's dust/hair on the sensor. It happens when you change lenses. It's perfectly normal.

With old film cameras you had a new "sensor" with every photos...as in a fresh piece of film.

It's more noticeable when the aperture is smaller (f/8, f/11, f/16, f/22 etc...) and especially when there is a bright background.

To check for dust simply put your camera to f/22 and point at a plain white/light coloured surface (like a wall or the ceiling) and take a photo. You'll see how dusty your sensor is.

The easiest way to remedy it is to buy a "Rocket Blower" and a sensor cleaning pen. The rocket blower is just a hand held blower that shoots out air. It usually gets rid of nearly all the dust.
Some dust can be stubborn and thats when you need the sensor pen. The sensor pen holds a small static charge and you rub the sensor lightly with it and the remaining dust is attracted to the pen.

You MUST have your camera in "MIRROR UP" cleaning mode to do this. So make sure the battery is well charged before you attempt it. If the mirror comes down mid clean it can damage the camera.

It's really easy to do once you are confident doing it. Just watch some Youtube tutorials first so you know what to do.

Delorian

Thanks for your feedback guys. I don't believe it is the sensor as I haven't seen any of these spots with other lenses on. The guy in the shop enabled live view and adjusted the lens while targeting a white sheet of paper, so I'll do that again this evening with various lenses at low apertures to confirm when I see the issue.

Assuming it is the lens, is there anything I can do with that? Can a blower or cleaning pen be used on a lens?

pete4130

Live view wont show you much. Generally the lens is wide open when in live view to allow for better autofocus and as cameras/lenses have an electronic shutter, the aperture only closes down when the picture is taken.

It's on the sensor. They look like dust/hair marks. Was the lens new or 2nd hand when you got it? The only way it could to do with the lens is if elements were scratched (and the marks don't resemble scratches) or if there is dust inside the lens and you'd probably be physically able to see that.

pixbyjohn

As Pete says it is sensor dust without doubt. It is the curse of all digital cameras
The mark on the right is like a smear mark, you need to get it cleaned.

Delorian

Well I'll be damned, I just did the test with this lens and my 50mm which I was certain was not showing the issue, and, as you say, when I shoot at a low aperture I do now see the spots on the images from both. I guess I wasn't seeing it on the 50 or my kit lens as I wouldn't be so often taking the type of photos that show it up. Also, strange that the guy in the shop didn't pick this up as quickly as you guys did.

So off I'll go at the weekend to see about getting it cleaned. I'll have a look to see what the cost might to buy a rocket blower, but will more likely let a pro handle the task.

Thank you all so much for your help, I really appreciate it, and am relieved it's fixable.