Camera Problem - Dots keep appearing in photos - Canon 20D

[mkx]

For some reason the same dots keep appearing in any photo I take with my 20D against a light non colored background. They appear in the same place. I just tried changing lenses as well as blowing the mirror a bit with a hand blower but none of the dots disappeared. Hope someone can help me. I only had the camera for about 4 months now.

[mkx]

[After Shock Media]

If I had to guess and I will. Something besides dust is on your mirror.

[Grapesoda]

dust etc, on the ccd . . . go here and chat these guys up about it

[beemk]

clean your walls!

[mkx]

dust etc, on the ccd . . . go here and chat these guys up about it

what should i use to clean it off? anything other than a blower?

[After Shock Media]

what should i use to clean it off? anything other than a blower?

A camera shop that warranties their work.

[BoyAlley]

what should i use to clean it off? anything other than a blower?

Try using sandpaper.

[rowan]

dust etc, on the ccd . . . go here and chat these guys up about it

Of course you mean do a search and find the answer, right? That question is asked every second day and the answer rarely changes.

mkx: the dust is on the sensor, which is behind the mirror. You need to go into sensor cleaning mode to flip the mirror up. See your manual for details, it can be a bit fiddly and you need to be gentle. BTW, a blower may not be sufficient to clean it, you may find that it just ends up depositing more dust onto your sensor.

[SilentKnight]

Definitely dust on the ccd. Its not stuck or dead pixels on the array.

As AFM says - get it in to a certified repair shop that warranties their work.

Dust is one of the worst drawbacks to dslr's with interchangeable lenses, unfortunately.

[mkx]

Of course you mean do a search and find the answer, right? That question is asked every second day and the answer rarely changes.

mkx: the dust is on the sensor, which is behind the mirror. You need to go into sensor cleaning mode to flip the mirror up. See your manual for details, it can be a bit fiddly and you need to be gentle. BTW, a blower may not be sufficient to clean it, you may find that it just ends up depositing more dust onto your sensor.

Thanks, i tried doing the sensor too with the blower but the same thing, I am taking it to a camera shop now to take a look, was just curious if anyone ever had the same problem. Thanks!

[Cory W]

I am very lucky, I have Canon Headquarters down the street from our Irvine offices, they do it for free.

Do not try to do it yourself, find a place that offers a warranty on their work.

Also, dust will build up on your mirror, it is only natural, however you can prevent it from building up too fast by making sure you don't change lenses, cards and batteries outside. I take a lot of beach shots, I constantly have dust issues, it isn't a big deal.

[rowan]

I'm not sure that getting a shop to do it will be of much benefit in the long run. Better to learn how to do it yourself - that way it's done to your satisfaction and you'll save some money too.

At least the 20D isn't a dust magnet like the 1D series...

[After Shock Media]

I am very lucky, I have Canon Headquarters down the street from our Irvine offices, they do it for free.

Do not try to do it yourself, find a place that offers a warranty on their work.

Also, dust will build up on your mirror, it is only natural, however you can prevent it from building up too fast by making sure you don't change lenses, cards and batteries outside. I take a lot of beach shots, I constantly have dust issues, it isn't a big deal.

Same here, but not because I have the luxury of taking beach shots. All my dust comes from shooting granny spreads.

[Cory W]

Thanks, i tried doing the sensor too with the blower but the same thing, I am taking it to a camera shop now to take a look, was just curious if anyone ever had the same problem. Thanks!

Where are you located?

Make sure to search for Canon in your local area. The service is free and they do it in a matter of hours.

[After Shock Media]

I'm not sure that getting a shop to do it will be of much benefit in the long run. Better to learn how to do it yourself - that way it's done to your satisfaction and you'll save some money too.

At least the 20D isn't a dust magnet like the 1D series...

I have found that a good relationship with a local shop gets you many free services like cleaning. You just have to be ok with shelling out the extra 4.00 to buy memory cards and shit from them instead of online.

[E Guru]

im suprised no one said it was magical ghost orbs?

[Cory W]

Same here, but not because I have the luxury of taking beach shots. All my dust comes from shooting granny spreads.

haha

Mine is bad, I normally just correct the images after the fact. I love shooting surfing....

[Rebecca Love]

this happened to me. went to my canon dealer in town. they opened up the ccd and blew on it with a little bulb looking thing. been great since!

[Cory W]

I have found that a good relationship with a local shop gets you many free services like cleaning. You just have to be ok with shelling out the extra 4.00 to buy memory cards and shit from them instead of online.

The guy didn't even know that he was seeing dust. I would say it is a bad idea for him to try to clean it. If you mess that up, you are out a camera.

I don't care to try as long as an authorized dealer does it for free for me...

[rowan]

Where are you located?

Make sure to search for Canon in your local area. The service is free and they do it in a matter of hours.

It's not free everywhere. I had one complimentary clean (sensor was filthy out of the box) but then they informed me that further cleans would be charged.

They did a pretty shoddy job anyway, many of the dust spots just got pushed to the side.

[rowan]

im suprised no one said it was magical ghost orbs?

That's airborne dust picked up by the flash.

[mkx]

Thank you all for the help, didn't get downtown in time to take it to a camera store so I will try to go directly through canon. I am in Toronto. I think Canon might be no more than an hour away. Thanks for the advice!

[latinasojourn]

if you use the camera professionally you show know how to keep your ccd clean.

http://www.bythom.com/cleaning.htm

[amalekite]

Unfortunately, all of the Canon's released since the D60 are POS

I don't feel like arguing...but the problem is more than dirt

Do a quick aperture test... you'll probably find a spot on the aperture where the UFOs start to appear...For my canons it's usually around F11...IF you use any aperture below F8 1/2 the UFOs will usually disappear

CHeck it out.. do a test shoot against a white wall starting at F 5.6 and then bracket to F 22... YOu will probably find the exact aperture where the UFOs appear

[Juilan]

Happens every 6 months or so with my canon's. Using a blower could produce more of the same on the cmos sensor. Take it to be cleaned where they'll give you a warranty for the work.