Smudge/Spot on Pictures

[smolinskym]

I have a Nikon D40 and recently I've noticed a smudge/spot on the right side center of the pictures I take. It's there in the same place no matter what lens I use so it must be in the camera body.

I've tried cleaning all the places in the camera body I can see but the smudge remains.

Any suggestions, please.

[Rrdjserv]

There are only 3 surfaces which could cause dust on your photos; the inner and outter surfaces of your lens and the sensor. Since you have changed the lenses, this means that the dust has to be on the sensor.

CAUTION: Scratching your sensor could permanently damage your camera!

I don't believe that you actually touch the sensor. There is usually a IR filter in front of the sensor. Regardless, clean with care. Check your manual for instructions. If you are reluctant or cannot remove the dust, takes it to an authorized camera shop or send it back to Nikon to be cleaned.

--Rick

[Buddy4344]

I completely agree with Rick's assessment of the problem. Sounds like a small 'dust bunny'.

Regarding cleaning the sensor, take care. As Rick mentioned, you will want to read the manual. Since you haven't done this, I would seriously consider having it cleaned at a camera shop (about $25), but if you are going to do it yourself, after reading your manual, search on line and you will find step by step photos of how others do it. Most of these instructions suggest as a first and easiest step to use a 'blower' bulb [do not use canned compressed air or your breath]. 70% of the time, this is all that is needed.

A few links: http://www.bythom.com/cleaning.htm

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/P...-Cleaning.aspx

Buddy

[smolinskym]

Thanks guys. You're both correct. I did some more searching on the internet and came up with this which worked.

http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/p...-d40-pics.html

[SMcEvoy]

Just an FYI that whilst yes, you always have to take care cleaning your sensor, I watched the Nikon guy do it once and he was way rougher than me! So now I just use a sensor swab - or my brush and give it a quick sweep out occasionally. I get a lot more in there since I got the new 24-70 - it's a dust magnet! Then I shoot a page of white paper, upload it to the computer and find out if I missed any.

[Tatanka001]

I wonder if it collects dust quick if it would be worth a try of placing a static cling sheet like bounce in with your equipment bag to keep static electric away from the camera body.