need a pro pixel peeper

scott favorite

scott favorite

Active member
This is not apparent in 99% percent of the footage i have shot with this camera.
But it is a problem i would love some help in solving if possible.
I went out last night to shoot the moon rising over the Chugach mountains.
First lens is an old nikon 500 reflex and there is a faint blemish in the upper center frame.
Second lens old nikon 80-200 f4- saw a spot in my viewfinder so i framed the moon over and it stays as the moon moves off.
3rd shot nikon 85 1.8 the smudge really doesn't pop but it's there if you move your head side to side.
Concerned i went to review some stuff i shot last week and was difficult to find a problem.
4th shot when i pull off sticks it becomes visible and slowed it down to 5% so you can see it better.
5th shot my heart sank as it looks like old tube camera worm burn or a faint pen outline of a dolphin shape in the center of the water.
This morning I put on 7 different lenses hdmi out to big screen monitor and could not replicate it, until i put on an old Soligor reflex which is the 6th shot.
I don't want to guess and would hope that we could refrain from speculation cause that is just gonna stress me out.
But if you do know what this is I would appreciate any help.
password is af
https://vimeo.com/52332013
Thank you for taking the time to look!
 
My guess (hope) is the sensor is smudged, & needs a good wet cleaning.

Smudges, & dirt/dust, tend to show at deeper apertures.
 
looks clean as whistle, i always keep the cap on. afraid to touch it without knowing proper method. thanks for responding any links to cleaning appreciated.
 
At around 2.40 onwards it def. looks like a small hair. There also appears to be a couple of other particles close by. I'd give it a blow out on the sensor and see if it improves. May need to do a full sensor clean. Though Im like you - never leave it uncovered however, Ive been lucky enough this hasnt occurred. Im sure someone can chime in as to the best method for you to clean it.
 
I have seen this before: At 2:40, there's LINT in between some lens elements. I think if it was on the sensor it would not be so defined. You said the lens is "old", stuff gets in there. Even old cement and glue flakes off inside. I would hit a large white card with a light, and hold up the lens to your eye, shift focus and roll f-stops, I know you will see it. No way it's on the sensor.

As to the smudge, the old lens could have had repairs where the elements were all opened up, or it could be condensation that dried there, meaning a drop. High priced lenses are sealed well, cheaper ones are not but everything gets old and little things can flake off.
 
The smutz seems to be in the same place with all the lenses. That would rule out the lenses as the problem. The hair is probably the same thing only sharper. The way to check sensor is look at a white card without a lens. This will show all the smutz on the sensor. This was a big problem with the early DSLR's and they had to be cleaned every time you changed the lens in a not so clean inviroment. The newer cameras are self cleaning but sometimes something gets on there that it can't clean off. The sensor is electronic and has a charge that attracks dust and lint like a magnet. There are sensor cleaning kits that can be bought on the internet. I haven't done this for a while so please do some research for the proper proceedure. The manafactures recomend having it done by a professional
 
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