Sudden dust problem.

TimSandhu

TimSandhu

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Tim
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Looking for a bit of advice please. I just noticed some dust spots when looking through my viewfinder but really have no idea how they got there! They weren't there yesterday, but today when I switched on my camera and looked through the viewfinder, there they are. 3-4 specks.

I haven't taken the lens off in weeks. In fact, I think it's been off only once or twice since February when I bought it. Both lens and body are fairly well sealed so I'm at a bit of a loss as to how I've gone from no dust to 3-4 bits overnight. It's not like I've been to any dusty places and when not in use, the camera sits in its bag. What's also odd is that one of the specks looks like a fibre is visible in the viewfinder but not on my images :thinking:

After my initial concern subsided, I started to think about how to clean the damn thing. I don't have my rocket blower with me and won't be home for a couple of days. I did consider using a dry cotton bud that came in the cleaning kit but then the spectre of damaging the sensor reared its ugly head and I decided against it. Should I just wait until I get home and use the blower?
 
It's mostly likely to be a small spec of dust on your focusing screen imo, (or possibly the mirror?) if it's not showing up in your images. Some cameras have removable focusing screens, so with a bit of care, and some research, you may be able to remove and clean it yourself. (The manual should say for sure.)

I don't think a rocket blower will help in this instance tbh, and could possibly make things "appear" worse through the viewfinder. Don't attempt to clean it with a cotton bud, or touch the sensor with one!!

Sorry I can't point you to any handy links, but there will be similar threads on here if you search, and I'm sure someone will be along to offer more advice too. :thumbs:

Good luck getting it sorted. :)

Edit: More reading suggests that if this is the cause, a pro "clean" is the safest way to go. (It may be free if it's still under warranty?) I have happily wet cleaned sensors in the past, but have never attempted to clean/remove a focusing screen.
 
Any progress on this? :shrug:

Getting a bit despondent offering any comments/help these days... :(
 
Be very careful about touching the AF sensors or mirror, they are alot more sensitive than the sensor apparently. Probably best to get it sent off.
 
TimSandhu said:
Looking for a bit of advice please. I just noticed some dust spots when looking through my viewfinder but really have no idea how they got there! They weren't there yesterday, but today when I switched on my camera and looked through the viewfinder, there they are. 3-4 specks.

I haven't taken the lens off in weeks. In fact, I think it's been off only once or twice since February when I bought it. Both lens and body are fairly well sealed so I'm at a bit of a loss as to how I've gone from no dust to 3-4 bits overnight. It's not like I've been to any dusty places and when not in use, the camera sits in its bag. What's also odd is that one of the specks looks like a fibre is visible in the viewfinder but not on my images :thinking:

After my initial concern subsided, I started to think about how to clean the damn thing. I don't have my rocket blower with me and won't be home for a couple of days. I did consider using a dry cotton bud that came in the cleaning kit but then the spectre of damaging the sensor reared its ugly head and I decided against it. Should I just wait until I get home and use the blower?
Click to expand...
 
Thanks for the advice. I used the blower to get rid of one bit, and the others only really show up in areas of light colour eg. pale skies and since I don't do much in the way of landscapes - it's barely noticeable. I've decided to leave it alone as it's at a manageable level - where I can PS the dust out.
 
I had the same problem but I had changed lenses a few times. I tried the puffer etc but made it worse. I sent it away to have it cleaned by pros. now got it back after a few days well pleased.
 
If you can see specs of dirt in the viewfinder, then they're on the focusing screen (don't worry about it). If you can see them in photos, they are on the sensor (use a rocket blower - do not touch the sensor unless you absolutely know what you're doing).

If you think about it, there are no other ways that dirt can ever be visible. Specs on the lens are never visible either through the viewfinder, or in photos.
 
TimSandhu said:
Thanks for the advice. I used the blower to get rid of one bit, and the others only really show up in areas of light colour eg. pale skies and since I don't do much in the way of landscapes - it's barely noticeable. I've decided to leave it alone as it's at a manageable level - where I can PS the dust out.
Click to expand...

I could be wrong here but does the Nikon not have a dust remover software with it(dust ref in the camera menu i think). If i can remember from what i read of the manual the camera picks up the dust spots and when you load your shots into the pc/mac the nikon software lets you remove them from your pictures.

BUT i could be wrong.
 
GlasgowGunner said:
I could be wrong here but does the Nikon not have a dust remover software with it(dust ref in the camera menu i think). If i can remember from what i read of the manual the camera picks up the dust spots and when you load your shots into the pc/mac the nikon software lets you remove them from your pictures.

BUT i could be wrong.
Click to expand...

Yes but the OP could see the spots when looking through the viewfinder, that means they are on the focusing screen so of no importance at all, they will have no effect on the image ... you want to look through mine :D
 
Just out of interest, how much does it cost to get it cleaned? Should I send it back to Nikon or are there independents who can be trusted?
 
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