HELP! Issue with D50.

Brandon Rice

Brandon Rice

Distributed Producer
Hey, I am out here in London, and I just noticed this issue in my pictures... all of them appear to have a faint dark spot in the center. I've checked my lenses, and the sensor and everything appears clean and free of dust... I'm shooting with my 28mm Sigma f.2.8. Please let me know if you can help me out!! Thanks.



I also shot with my 55-200mm lens for a bit.. and it is showing the same issue.
 
I don't have any clue Brandon all I can suggest is that you try updating the firmware for cam and lens if possible. Hope you are having fun in my home town. I'm really itching to go back soon!!!:)
 
I know you said the sensor *appears* clean on your initial inspection, but if you haven't actually cleaned it in a while, particularly after having changed lenses from packing and traveling, you should just clean the sensor anyway.
 
Uhm... how do I clean the sensor???

Here's what I am seeing...

DSC_0240_fix.jpg
 
This may seem like a silly question but did you check both ends of the lens. I had a spot like that which was on the inside of the lens and of course it took me a while to remember there are two ends to the buggers.
 
I'd guess its something on the sensor - looks like there's a hair just below and to the left of the dot as well (above the lower bridge in the sky). Not sure what the proper procedure for cleaning is though.
 
On my Olympus, in the menu there is a thing called cleaning mode that lifts up the mirror allowing access to the sensor. Hope this helps.
 
Brandon Rice said:
Uhm... how do I clean the sensor???
Click to expand...
First, you will need the proper sensor cleaning tools.
I've seen people recommend special brushes, others using a small air blowing device, it varies.

You'll want to research what to use and use it very carefully.

After that, as Mino suggested, look into your menus to see if there is a specific setting you can activate that will make the necessary adjustments within the camera, like lifting the mirror in order to gain access to the sensor. (you want a fully charged battery for the procedure so as not to risk it shutting off midway through the cleaning process, thus potentially ruining your camera)

Once you've gained access to the sensor you will need to follow the procedures outlined by the instructions supplied with the sensor cleaning toolkit, or from a forum member here, or perhaps instructions supplied on DPreview or another respectable photography forum.

I've never had to clean the sensor on my D80, so I'm unable to give you directions from experience.
However, if you do a quick google on Nikon DSLR CCD cleaning you may find some good places to start. Again, I know that there is extensive discussion on this issue within the DPreview forums, so I'd look there as well.

If you are pressed for time, and do not have access to the proper tools, then the only thing I can suggest is keep shooting, and worry about it in Photoshop or Nikon Capture NX, or whatever you're using to process your files.
 
My buddy had this issue on his and it was just something on the sensor's screen. When you look in the camera with the lens off, what you see is the mirror that reflects the image into the view finder, not the sensor.

I'm not sure where it is in the menu, as I have a D40 and it is different, but find the option for mirror lockup. Then, with the lens off, press the shutter button and the mirror will click up so you can see the sensor. With a spot that size in the picture you will likely see what is causing the issue laying on the sensor. If you have a bulb blower, or if you can pick one up (without a brush on the end) then I would suggest using that for the next step. In absence of a blower, you can blow into it using your mouth (if you use this method make sure you mouth is dry as not to spit on the sensor). Turn the camera so the mount is facing the floor and blow onto the sensor to remove the dirt (with the mount facing the floor the dirt should fall out of the camera). This should fix the problem.
 
It is just dust on the sensor, it happens to almost every single camera.

While this problem sucks because in your case it is in the center, but you can clone it out in most cases.

To resolve it you just need to clean your sensor. The easiest, safest way is spend $20 and bring it to any local camera store in London, it will take them 5 minutes. You can also get a sensor blower and do it that way. Be careful cleaning so you don't screw up your camera.
 
Thanks, I think I fixed it.. didn't see the issue today. I used a Q-tip to clean the spot of dust (it was clearly visible) Here's a photo from today.

n500600447_563572_9076.jpg
 
Bravo Brandon! Since these things are not a dime a dozen, it's a scary thing to see something like that. I'm glad you resolved it relatively easily.

Larry
 
In the future for anyone trying this, I would not recommend using a Q-tip. Best course of action is to never touch the sensor with anything. Air is the best way to clean it by far. If air will not clean the spot they do make special swabs to clean the sensor if you must, but I would rather pay the $40 to have someone do it for me if it comes down to that.
 
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