I lost three hours of my life to....
 

....this....
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1204000914.jpg
Ignore the lens flare in the lower left corner, that's not the issue.

about two hours into it this....
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1204000939.jpg

Finally....
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1204000951.jpg


The background changes, because I lost my sky to nightfall and had to use a indoor wall and I didn't bother to change WB.

Can ya guess what I was doing????

SmileWavy

Uh, smoking some really, really good reefer?

Isolate and identify dust particles on your lens or sensor, then set a program to automatically remove them from all images?

???

Best,

Kurt

Contemplating suicide?

just lost roughly 10 seconds of mine to it, too, dave! ;)

gulf blue and Bahama yellow?

Paint colors for the bathroom? I'd go with the gold if you're a #2 'Morning guy' (warm feeling) or blue for the rest of the day (cool color, gotta get goin', other business to take car of). Just my opinion...

f'n w us

nah dude, my mother calls that "baby **** brown"

No f'n with anyone. I just figured, that if I lost three hours of my time, I may be able to offset some of that, by having all of you loose 30 secs.... :p

Eh, make that kstarnes....
was almost correct. Yes, the sensor on my dSLR was dirty and I decided to clean it. The first images shows a few black specs in the lower left corner. The middle image, shows how you can actually put dust on the sensor while cleaning it. The third is the result of three hours. It isn't perfect, but if the two remaining 'noticeable' dust particles do show, I can Photoshop them out.

Tip for dSLR owners.... When changing lenses, point the body down before removing the lens from body and have the next lens ready to install. Most dust has a tendency to 'fall' not 'rise'.

Most current dSLR cameras will have a self-cleaning mode.

Dave

Kurt V!? He's a nice guy and all, but not me. :)

Best,

Kurt

Arrgg! Sorry! It's the three hours I tell ya!

My mistake! kstarnes (aka Kurt). Sorry about that!

Kurt V.: nice try!

No worries, mon! :cool:

Best,

Kurt

What system where you using to clean the sensor with? I shoot everywhere from beaches to caves so sensor cleaning is common. I assume you tried a blower first- works most of the time (80%) as long as you do it frequently and don't let the goop bake on. A dry brush system- like visible dust is easy, rarely makes things worse and works most of the time the blower fails. I only have to use the wet system- I use pecpads and eclipse about twice a year. A lighted loupe makes things much easier- I use the one from visible dust. You will get better at it- it is no big deal. It does get scary when once in a while it seems to get worse as you work- that feeling does go away with practice.
Not using an slr because it can get dusty makes no sense at all- cleaning literally usually only takes seconds and can be done in the field.- once you have done it a dozen times or so and have the correct tools. That would be like saying I don't drive an older porsche because you might have to work on it once in a while.
Use the correct tool for the correct job, be that a hammer, camera, or car.
Gary

Good post, Dave! :)

I've never had to do that with my 35mm. :)

Gary,

I use pretty much what you do, but do not have a loupe. The dust was my fault. This was the first time I actually cleaned a sensor. My dad had cleaned it before he gave the camera to me a couple of months ago. It's not really a scary ordeal, but I did want to watch someone else first.

I agree with you regarding Wayne's comment. Any digital camera can get a dusty sensor and what's worse with P&S types, is that you have to take it into a repair facility if there is a major dust spot.

DSLR's are great. You can take unlimited pictures and delete all but the good ones. I also like the control that comes with a DSLR.

Anyway, Wayne is entitled to his position and the camera he has now seems to work for him. At least I think it does...

Dave

Porsche-O-Phile: There's a place for regular film today ;)

I suspected this was one of your first tries. It does get scary as your sensor gets worse. Just like anything else it get easier with experience. I still remember the first time I changed the oil in my 85 carrera- made a bigger mess than you did with your sensor. Moose Peterson showed me how to clean these things. One interesting step he uses that you may find helpful. When you remove the lens look into the bottom of the camera box- mirror is still down- it is in front and below the mirror. Use a flashlight and you will see some dirt and minute shavings laying down there. Take a slightly damp Qtip and roll it over the area- pick up the little shavings. Pick them up now, or they will end up on your sensor later.
Shoot more, and now you don't have to worry about sensor crud-
Gary

Thanks for the tip regarding the Qtip. I will do just that.

One from today...
http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/6...c2805smlu8.jpg

P.S. My dad has mentioned Moose Peterson before. He's really into Arty Morris at the moment.

Is that a piece of the Berlin wall from the Regan Library?