I have a problem...

[Rylan Zolinski]

I can't grab any footage at the moment, but I took a quick screenshot of a visible black speck:

As you can see, the footage is somewhat dark, but a second later I walk into a fully lit room and the speck disappears. I've also seen the speck on fully lit footage as well. I have no idea what it is? Any idea? Also, it's NOT the lens. I have the stock lens and a Tokina and I tried test footage on both and the speck shows up on both of them.

 

[Kegan]

Looks like a speck on your sensor. Pretty sure you have to send it in for cleaning. I borrowed a buddy's 7D to use on a multi-cam shoot and couldn't use it because of the speck. Wasn't anywhere on the lens and varied in severity due to varying f-stops.

I'd send it in,

Kegan

 

[Luke]

I would say Kegan is correct. You really only have 2 options. Clean it yourself (can be risky) or send it in (can be pricy).
There are plenty of tutorials explaining how to clean the sensor including using a Koh HEPA Jet Air Blower (touch less), sensor swabs or a combination/variation of the two. I personally have only used the air blower. I'm just not confident enough to touch my camera sensor.

 

[wilcal]

My T3i has a self cleaning function. Is this something that new
and unique to the T3i, and would it clean such a spot on
the sensor?

 

[Kegan]

Nope, DSLRs have had it for a while. It won't get rid of that.

Kegan

 

[Rylan Zolinski]

I need it fixed as I have incoming paid work with it, but I also can't send it in for the same reason, haha. I am going to have to figure it out.

 

[Kastro]

^ Not sure if my option would be considered, but I just shook the **** out of my cam and kept cutting it off and on and 'sensor cleaning' a few times, eventually my black dot went away.. Initially I thought it was the lens till i swapped lens' and the dot was still there..

hope it doesnt come back.. maybe try that? couldnt hurt? Its what I did in a panic because I was shooting when it showed up!

 

[nwstudios]

DIY sensor cleaning is fairly easy. Don't let them scare you...

 

[J Davis]

Try this. Take lens off and lock the mirror up, place on the kitchen table face up and have a lot of light so u can see what u r doing.
You will need a giottos rocket blower (link) which can blow quite a little gust of air. Now look around carefully on the sensor and see if you can spot the spec.
If you can see it use the rocket blower in reverse ie use it to suck the air instead of blowing. You should be able to clean it if you can see it. But practice with a tiny spec of paper first as you really don't want to bump the sensor.

edit:
I did this once but it was to remove something from the eyepiece.
Be crazy careful as it will be hard to judge how far you are from the sensor.

 

[ROCKMORE]

Try this. Take lens off and lock the mirror up, place on the kitchen table face up and have a lot of light so u can see what u r doing.
You will need a giottos rocket blower (link) which can blow quite a little gust of air. Now look around carefully on the sensor and see if you can spot the spec.
If you can see it use the rocket blower in reverse ie use it to suck the air instead of blowing. You should be able to clean it if you can see it. But practice with a tiny spec of paper first as you really don't want to bump the sensor.

Good plan

 

[Samuel H]

if you're going to clean it yourself, read this first (edit: including the comments, and the linked youtube at the end specifically on sensor cleaning):
http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2011/05/the-lensrentals-lens-cleaning-methods
it's much more info than you actually need, and includes steps you may not want to get yourself into, but it may help you feel more confident at what you're doing

 

[William_Robinette]

DIY sensor cleaning is fairly easy. Don't let them scare you...

Yeah agreed. Don't be scared of fixing it yourself.

 

[pierceproductions]

That will work, but if the speck does not come of, sensor swabs can work. I used some once when i had a speck similar to yours, that would not come of with air, and was terrified, but after i finished, it was all fine. i would recommend sensor swabs as a last resort if the air doesn't work. but be sure to be very carful

 

[johne]

Always be careful while blowing air into the camera, most dust on the sensor is only visible at higher f stops 11, 16, 22 (which no one wants to use anyway LOL) unless it is a very large speck.
To see if you have any dust on the sensor, defocus your lens, turn AF off and shoot a photo of an even surface (white wall) at f22 or the smalest opening your lens wil allow.

 

[24Peter]

Guys - I've been cleaning my sensors on various Canon DSLR's since 2005 without issue (I'm currently shooting with a 5DII and 60D). Try the blower bulb first and it if persists, wet cleaning is the way to go. As long as you're reasonably careful and use a product that is designed to clean DSLR sensors, you should be fine. Sensor Swabs and Visible Dust both make wet cleaning products that are totally harmless if used properly. BTW - on most cameras you're not actually cleaning the sensor. Rather you're cleaning the AA filter or a piece of glass in front of the filter.