Thread: Impact of lens dirt & scratches on image quality

If you can make them out as little black specs, then it's on the IR filter over your sensor. Use a handblower and blow them off.

Originally Posted by HeatherTheVet

I have a problem with little black specs on my photos, but I suspect it is bits of stuff between the lens and the sensor. I find it quite hard to keep everything clean and clear.

take a photo of a white wall at your highest f value - f32 and post it - probably dust on the sensor which is easily removed


(Edit - as lenshoarder suggests above)

Thanks, I do try to blow them all away but I seem to collect more every time I change lenses. It's nice to know exactly where the problem is though, I'll stop obsessively cleaning the front glass now! The big prob is I can't see them at the time, only later when I get the pics uploaded. I guess I just need to be a bit more careful.

I spotted a whole load of dandelion heads today at just the right stage for playing macro photography. I might nip out later and pick a couple up - I've never tried that classic shot yet.

Make sure to get a shot of the sun behind them.. makes an excellent halo and really accentuates the details.

Example of little black specks. There's one above the cloud on the right. What really annoys me is when I take a pile of pictures in a row, and these blobs are on them all in exactly the same place. Fixable but annoying! Cleanliness is the answer I suppose, difficult for one who spends so much time covered in a variety of unpleasant stuff.

[IMG] Torridon by heather_t_vet, on Flickr[/IMG]

yep that's sensor dirt as others have said. this was at f/13 - bet you can't see it at f/8 or below though?

if you can't blow it off with a rocket puffer then it's time to invest in either a sensor cleaning kit or take it into a photographic shop who'll clean it for you

I *think* I've got it clear now. If not I might take a wee trip into town and speak to some camera peeps. Interesting point about being able to see it at wider f/, never thought about it but all the blobby holiday pic were in France in bright sunlight so stopped down.

To celebrate the discovery of what they are and what I need to do I have bought a new lens on ebay - Canon FD 135mm. Just because. £15 inc postage :-)