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tysonneil · Joined: 08 May 2006 Posts: 6

I've just took a look at some footage done today and see a couple of dust spots in the exact place on all of them.

I routinely run sensor clean and do periodic manual cleans and was surprised some by these.

Any suggestions on software that can clean or minimize annoying dust spots that isn't too absurdly expensive?

Rekindle · Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2012 8:52 am

What camera are you shooting with. The "vibration" sensor cleaner built into some cameras is ok but not real good. For photos Canons software can memorize and remove the spots. For video no such luck. You need to get the sensor cleaned. Do NOT use a homemade scotch tape of yellow stick pad unless you want to but a new sensor. The brush kits normally just move the dust around. I have been using on several cameras for several years the Pec-Pad, Eclipse optic solution and a small rubber spatula the size of the sensor. It has done a very good job. But be very very careful. The covering of the sensor is easy to scratch.

rinder99 · Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2012 10:00 am

Get a camcorder.LOL

Rekindle · Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2012 11:02 am

or never change the lens ...

tysonneil · Joined: 08 May 2006 Posts: 6

Hello everyone,

I use a T2i and admit I like being able to change out lenses and just not that interested in camcorders at the moment.

I've used those sensor cleaners from Peter Gregg and they work well. That doesn't help me now but am going to do another clean today for the future.

pharm · Joined: 09 Jul 2006 Posts: 9406 Location: Never quite sure

They're most noticeable when shooting at smaller apertures (high number). Cleaning the sensor of course is best but you'll still get them at times. An alternative is to add a ND filter so you can shoot at a wider aperture, making the dust spots disappear or at least not be noticeable.

On the T2i for example, with an ND filter, I can shoot at 1/30 sec, f/1.8, ISO 100 in bright sunlight and have correct exposure AND no sensor spots. (of course that only helps if you WANT a very shallow DOF)

After the fact, I have no real suggestions unless the spots are in an area of relatively uniform color. Then you could track the spot and replace it with a feathered mask of the surrounding color or manually move and keyframe the mask and replace the offending area (in After Effects or FCP).

tysonneil · Joined: 08 May 2006 Posts: 6

Thanks for the ND tip. I have UVs on all mine. I am a glorified part time operator and somehow over time getting any NDs have never been high on the list. The shopping list is getting updated there.

It is with the 70-300 that I notice the spots.

All of the offending spots aren't over motion for the most part if any but any kind of move or on a white area of one clip, they are plain as day.

I figured the FCP/AE solution was the only real one. I will see if I can get a line on any locals with AE and see what I can find out and hope not charge an arm and leg. AE is something I have never really worked with and never couldn't justify the expense.

What editing I do is in Pinnacle Studio for fun and youtube mostly and I don't go too crazy in effects.

Anything that comes here is simple Mpeg Streamclip.

Again, thank you all for the advice and taking time to read my post.

kk5hy · Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2012 8:12 pm

I use a combination of a sensor scope that both lights and magnify's the sensor to aid in seeing the dust and a wand cleaning kit.
Works great, you just have to be careful.

Since I rarely use zoom lenses anymore I tend to change lenses multiple times during a shoot, but even at that I don't seem to have to clean my sensor more than once a year.

Jake