Oh the shame!

[irtuk]

I finally tracked down the source of the dustbunnies in my images. Oh the shame of this DSLR sensor!

 

For the record I was reading up on how to clean my sensor and the key thing I needed to know was to shoot a reference image at F/22 which really highlights the problem! each of these was a vague blurred smudge in my subs

 

Edited April 5, 2021 by irtuk

[Merlin66]

Yeah,

Taking a daytime flat at >f15 will be a revelation to many camera users!!!

I find it shows the smallest of motes on the camera window and sensor coverplate.

I use IPA and Kimiwipes for the cleaning.

well worth the effort.

 

[irtuk]

The cleaning kit was in my amazon basket before you could say "filthy!" 

I guess its 12 years since I bought the camera and I don't think I have ever manually cleaned the sensor in that time, I used the cleaning menu option but I guess there's some stuff that won't shift!

[Louis D]

2 hours ago, Merlin66 said:

I use IPA and Kimiwipes for the cleaning.

I've never heard of using beer (India Pale Ale) to clean sensors.  At least you'll have something to drink when you're done. 😉

Edited April 6, 2021 by Louis D

[Merlin66]

🤨

[Corncrake]

4 hours ago, Merlin66 said:

Yeah, Taking a daytime flat at >f15 will be a revelation to many camera users!!!

In my case I was perplexed that I could see nothing untword down to F22 in daytime flats, till I found an old lens that went down to fF32 and there was just a hint of my 'thing'

But I had a troubling persistent obvious mote right in the middle of pics thro my microscope objective as prime lens. ! so they must be working at even less F ?

I am still investigating (and should prob move this to the other forum ) It does not bother me until I wish to show my wee beasties in other forums, when it becomes embarrassing,, or a lot of work in videos to remove it !

So, the question is how meticulous should we be ? Should I swab with IPA, do I feel lucky Harry???!

If it is very obscure does it mean that it is not on the sensor (sharp and obvious in many F ?) or not between the filter elements, or etc ?

 

Edited April 6, 2021 by Corncrake

[Merlin66]

To be effective, the daytime flat should be taken with the camera/ lens/ scope focused on infinity.

I use the KimiWipe, folded and fitted over a plastic "spatula" cut from an old credit card. The width of the flat face just slightly larger than the height of the sensor.

A couple of sprays with IPA on the KimiWipe and one wipe across the sensor - discard the KimiWipe. Repeat as necessary.

Any dust motes on the sensor cover plate appear a defined black spots, if they are on the front filters, entrance window etc. they appear slightly diffuse and sometime as the "dust doughnuts"

http://76.12.87.114/resources/dust.cfm

This is an easy calculator to gauge where the dust may be located.

( I do solar imaging at around f20 and any residual "motes" show up as "new" sunspots!!!!!)

 

Edited April 6, 2021 by Merlin66
Spelling

[Mr Spock]

I'd recommend VSGO sensor cleaning swabs and sensor cleaning fluid. They aren't expensive and other solutions could easily mark your sensor.

[Merlin66]

Yeah, an alternative....

The IPA/ KimiWipe is 100% safe to use on sensors/ camera windows/ filters etc etc.

There's a Y tube (

of the guys showing how they clean Astrodon filters - IPA and KimiWipes!)  )

Edited April 6, 2021 by Merlin66

[irtuk]

Who wold have thought you could hide a galaxy, behind a speck of dust!

[Corncrake]

6 hours ago, Merlin66 said:

http://76.12.87.114/resources/dust.cfm

This is an easy calculator to gauge where the dust may be located.

( I do solar imaging at around f20 and any residual "motes" show up as "new" sunspots!!!!!)

Thanks for that site, and yes very sunspotish !

Sanity check please ! : I guess, where it says " CCD Camera Pixel Size in Microns" it means Pixel Pitch not Pixel Area ?

(  and thanks to op for loan of the topic ! )

Edited April 6, 2021 by Corncrake

[Merlin66]

Yeah, use the pixel pitch for your sensor; 5.4 micron etc.

[michael8554]

Looks like you've got some tree branches on your sensor, right of frame............ 😆

Michael

[Waldemar]

When using IPA you should ware gloves. IPA dissolves skin grease and then leaves a haze on the 'cleaned' surfaces...

[Merlin66]

I agree 100%

I use non dusted medical gloves when cleaning all optics.