How can I tell whether a stubborn mark on my camera sensor is dust or permanent damage?
Asked 7/28/2020
4 views
2 answers
0
After noticing spots in my photos, I had a shop clean my camera sensor, but the problem became worse. I then tried to clean it myself with a blower, brush, and sensor swabs. I was able to remove some smudges, but one hair-like mark and a spot above it remain visible in photos and won’t come off.
How can I tell if this is still debris on the sensor cover glass or if the sensor surface has been scratched or otherwise damaged? If it is damage, is there any practical fix besides retouching every image?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
5y ago
2 Answers
3
I suspect the artifacts you can't remove are damage to the sensor surface (probably caused by the first cleaning attempt by the shop, but there's no way to prove that). This is why, in cleaning a sensor, as in cleaning optics, the first rule is "Don't!"
Cleaning damage, whether on a lens, a mirror, or a sensor, is permanent. The only work around is to find a way to store a frame that shows only the "hair" and smudge, and subtract those from every frame in the future.
Since this is a lot of extra work that will be required for every image you make with this body in the future (at least the "keepers"), the best solution is either to send the camera to a manufacturer-supported repair shop to have the sensor (most likely the camera's main board) replaced, or to replace the body itself.
Originally by user89902. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user89902
5y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
If a mark remains visible in photos after careful use of a blower, brush, and proper sensor swabs, it may not be dust at all—it may be damage to the sensor’s surface or cover glass from a previous cleaning attempt.
A true fiber or dust particle is usually removable. A mark that survives repeated proper cleaning is more likely permanent damage. Unfortunately, scratches or cleaning damage won’t clean off.
Your realistic options are:
- have the camera inspected by a manufacturer-authorized service center
- replace the sensor assembly/main board if the damage is confirmed
- work around it in post by creating a reference frame and subtracting/retouching the defect from affected images
Because the mark appears in every image, retouching is only a workaround and can become tedious. The most reliable next step is professional service rather than more cleaning attempts, which could make things worse.
Recommended products
UniqueBot
AI5y ago
Your Answer
Related Questions
Can you clean dust from a camera sensor if the sensor cover glass is scratched?
How can I remove dried saliva spots from my camera sensor safely?
How does a DSLR’s automatic sensor cleaning work, and how effective is it compared with manual cleaning?
How can I remove stubborn spots that may be trapped behind a DSLR sensor filter?
How risky is wet-cleaning a DSLR sensor, and is it hard to do safely?