Used camera problem. What would you do?

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I've just taken delivery of a Canon 5D Mark I and 24-105mm L lens which I bought from the same person on Ebay.

It all looked great and I was really pleased until I went outside for some test shots. I pointed the camera at the sky and saw what I thought were birds flying in the distance. Then I realised they weren't moving. Not birds. Dust in the camera or lens.

I went home and tested the lens on my 450D - looks perfectly clean. So it's definitely dust on the 5D's sensor. And not just a little bit.

It seems difficult to believe the seller was unaware of the problem. What should I do? I could get a rocket blower and have a go at blowing the dirt away but I'm reluctant to get involved in anything where the seller could say "It was fine, you must have damaged it". Also I damn well shouldn't have to after paying £800 for a used camera body.

Think I should ask for my money back, ask for the cost of getting the sensor cleaned (how much is that anyway?), or just have a crack at it myself? I've never done it before and I don't know if I risk damaging the sensor.
 
The 5D is a notorious dust 'magnet' and has no built in dust reduction system.

I'd try the blower to start with it should get rid of the majority of it, unless it is sticky pollen dust :)
 
Hi, It's my belief that, you can only see sensor dust on a image that's been captured, if you could see something through the viewfinder, more likely dust or something on the focus screen, or less likely the lens, see what others have to say, I should think either way, focus screen or sensor take it for a clean to an approved service cemtre, don't attempt it yourself unless your sure of what your doing. :)
 
If the camera is as expected in all other aspects get yourself a sensor cleaning kit, it's really quite easy.
 
if you're looking through the viewfinder and seeing birds and it's not on the lens then it's not on your sensor either as that's covered up, it's either on your mirror or prism (viewfinder)

:)
 
Gah! You're right. Just loaded the pics up and there's no sign of dust on the images. I'm still a little concerned that so much muck has worked it's way into the camera though. The seller said that this body has hardly been outside the studio.

False alarm. Thanks for the advice, all. You saved me some trouble and from making a tit of myself.
 
I have also just bought a 2nd hand Canon 5D Mk I and I have the same problem. Lots of dust on the focussing screen.

I am going to buy a rocket blower anyway so I will see if this gets rid of some of it.

Otherwise, what is the best way to clean it should I decide to remove the focussing screen?
 
if it's not on the sensor and not affecting it I'd leave it, trying to clean it might even blow it onto the sensor, my mirrors are filthy but the sensors are spotless
 
in which case I'd take it for a professional clean - as far as I'm concerned the insides of a camera are nothing to do with me - but that depends on your level of confidence and your appetite for risk!
 
hi Did you pay with paypal, go to Resolution Centre and make a complaint.
the buyer will get his account frozen and a minus for the amount you paid.
Give paypal a full report on the problem and tell them what you want to sort out the problem.
they then tell the buyer and ask for his response
 
the dust will be on the focusing screen or and mirror, you can slean this quiet easily and it is only cosmetic and has no effect on your pics.
i use intemos Dclean swabs and find them excellent.
 
raider2727 said:
hi Did you pay with paypal, go to Resolution Centre and make a complaint.
the buyer will get his account frozen and a minus for the amount you paid.
Give paypal a full report on the problem and tell them what you want to sort out the problem.
they then tell the buyer and ask for his response
Click to expand...

I really wouldn't go this route personally.

SLRs = dust
it's a fact of life and not to hard to remedy.
there is plenty of "how to clean " advice on here, youtube, google etc etc

OP and ScarySquirrel
consider it a right of passage :)
and enjoy your new toy :thumbs:
 
raider2727 said:
hi Did you pay with paypal, go to Resolution Centre and make a complaint.
the buyer will get his account frozen and a minus for the amount you paid.
Give paypal a full report on the problem and tell them what you want to sort out the problem.
they then tell the buyer and ask for his response
Click to expand...

DEFO A FINAL FINAL ACTION

ebay rules will advise some parley first...try to talk/work it out amicably
i bet the other guy will be just as annoyed that his sale went wrong and be willing to sort it out
ps...the dust observations seem most informative
have a mirror clean first..you would have to do that even with a new cam and not be sending it back under guarantee...etc;)

when its out of the showroom....its old!
 
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