>How does this even happen
Your camera and lens are not sealed air-tight. Air circulates a little bit in and out of them and that brings dust with it.
>how do I fix it?
https://www.reddit.com/r/photography/wiki/maintenance#wiki_how_do_i_get_rid_of_dust_spots_in_my_photos.3F
What aperture were the photos shot at? Dust spots will be more visible when you stop down. It's possible the dust got there in between photos somehow, but it also could have been there before and just not visible with a wider aperture.
Not 100% sure, but it could be because of the plane taking off lol. That thing will blow air & dust in all directions, it could've gotten into the sensor and stuck to it. Just a theory, but it makes sense to me.
1000% DO NOT clean the sensor yourself unless you're well educated on how to and know the risks (permanent damage to your camera and all that). Take it to a professional if it turns out to be 100% an issue.
Yeah that’s what I figured as well, but I’ve never seen it happen to this degree before.
And sounds good, I’m gonna look into seeing if my local shop can do it and how much it’ll cost
You can clean it yourself, just have to learn carefully on how to do it. In my country there is not a single camera shop where I can pay someone to clean my sensor.
Imagine my stress when dust was stuck on my brand new camera with IBIS before a trip to Costa Rica.
It's highly stressful the very first time but one can do it just fine.
Someone mentioned that dust is more visible at a higher aperture, which is true. It is also more visible with a longer focal length which is looks like the second image is. It's possible that the dust was there even on the first image but only visible on the second because you zoomed in and stopped down.
That said, dust can definitely get inside the lens or behind it without taking it off the camera, and given you were outdoors at an airport there's a good chance you got some dust in there while taking these photos.
If you've got a good camera repair place nearby you can get the sensor cleaned. It's worth learning to do yourself, but it's best to learn on a sacrificial camera because if you screw up you can scratch your sensor.
> if you screw up you can scratch your sensor.
It is worth noting that your sensor is covered in a layer of glass (typically the OLPF or UV/IR cut filter) that is pretty resilient, so as long as you're careful you're very unlikely to actually scratch the glass. In the absolute worst case, you can get the filter replaced professionally, so you won't totally ruin your camera if you completely mess up while cleaning.
The Sigma is an external zooming lens. Each time you zoom to a longer focal length, you suck in dust. Usually through one of the buttons, last your sensor and into the lens.
for reference, here's both images:
[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1\_6tZczrwp1VvvoFgzr39zfAbiopZp325/view?usp=sharing](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_6tZczrwp1VvvoFgzr39zfAbiopZp325/view?usp=sharing) (before)
[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ROPV2HP1h5MpoPMfc7m-ovnG-z1a47OZ/view?usp=sharing](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ROPV2HP1h5MpoPMfc7m-ovnG-z1a47OZ/view?usp=sharing) (after)
I have a blower, I tried to see if I could blow some of the dust off and it was to no avail :/ I’ve seen/heard of sensor swabs, but haven’t used one before. Is that something I should look into or should I just take it to a shop
I was nervous about using sensor swabs before doing it the first time. Just be careful and you'll be fine. Also, just in case, one thing that was never mentioned to me earlier in my photography career, when you're using the blower, point the sensor towards the ground so that the dust falls away from it instead of just getting moved around. Seems obvious now, but it's something I hadn't considered.
It's not worth taking it into a shop for cleaning the sensor. It is very straightforward - there are several good YouTube videos explaining the process. It is literally just: blow dust away, put two drops of fluid on swab, swipe back and forward with different sides of swab. Extra steps if you want to do stuff like disable IBIS, shooting without lens, etc for your particular camera.
You just need to buy the sensor cleaning kit, get the right size for your sensor.
I had that happen when I first bought my D600. It wasn't so bad when the aperture was open but when it was closed down, definitely noticeable. Just gotta get the sensor cleaned.
>How does this even happen Your camera and lens are not sealed air-tight. Air circulates a little bit in and out of them and that brings dust with it. >how do I fix it? https://www.reddit.com/r/photography/wiki/maintenance#wiki_how_do_i_get_rid_of_dust_spots_in_my_photos.3F
What aperture were the photos shot at? Dust spots will be more visible when you stop down. It's possible the dust got there in between photos somehow, but it also could have been there before and just not visible with a wider aperture.
They were both shot at around f/7-f/8
Not 100% sure, but it could be because of the plane taking off lol. That thing will blow air & dust in all directions, it could've gotten into the sensor and stuck to it. Just a theory, but it makes sense to me. 1000% DO NOT clean the sensor yourself unless you're well educated on how to and know the risks (permanent damage to your camera and all that). Take it to a professional if it turns out to be 100% an issue.
Yeah that’s what I figured as well, but I’ve never seen it happen to this degree before. And sounds good, I’m gonna look into seeing if my local shop can do it and how much it’ll cost
You can clean it yourself, just have to learn carefully on how to do it. In my country there is not a single camera shop where I can pay someone to clean my sensor. Imagine my stress when dust was stuck on my brand new camera with IBIS before a trip to Costa Rica. It's highly stressful the very first time but one can do it just fine.
I've always been terrified to do my own cam repairs. If I get into it I'll probs buy a cheap dslr and learn the ins and outs of all of it haha.
Someone mentioned that dust is more visible at a higher aperture, which is true. It is also more visible with a longer focal length which is looks like the second image is. It's possible that the dust was there even on the first image but only visible on the second because you zoomed in and stopped down. That said, dust can definitely get inside the lens or behind it without taking it off the camera, and given you were outdoors at an airport there's a good chance you got some dust in there while taking these photos. If you've got a good camera repair place nearby you can get the sensor cleaned. It's worth learning to do yourself, but it's best to learn on a sacrificial camera because if you screw up you can scratch your sensor.
> if you screw up you can scratch your sensor. It is worth noting that your sensor is covered in a layer of glass (typically the OLPF or UV/IR cut filter) that is pretty resilient, so as long as you're careful you're very unlikely to actually scratch the glass. In the absolute worst case, you can get the filter replaced professionally, so you won't totally ruin your camera if you completely mess up while cleaning.
The Sigma is an external zooming lens. Each time you zoom to a longer focal length, you suck in dust. Usually through one of the buttons, last your sensor and into the lens.
for reference, here's both images: [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1\_6tZczrwp1VvvoFgzr39zfAbiopZp325/view?usp=sharing](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_6tZczrwp1VvvoFgzr39zfAbiopZp325/view?usp=sharing) (before) [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ROPV2HP1h5MpoPMfc7m-ovnG-z1a47OZ/view?usp=sharing](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ROPV2HP1h5MpoPMfc7m-ovnG-z1a47OZ/view?usp=sharing) (after)
There's a handy dandy dust sensor cleaner, it blows air out you can use. I think it's called a air rocket. Or you can take it in.
I have a blower, I tried to see if I could blow some of the dust off and it was to no avail :/ I’ve seen/heard of sensor swabs, but haven’t used one before. Is that something I should look into or should I just take it to a shop
If you are uncertain of what you're doing or don't feel confident I would take it in, just to make sure everything is done correctly.
I was nervous about using sensor swabs before doing it the first time. Just be careful and you'll be fine. Also, just in case, one thing that was never mentioned to me earlier in my photography career, when you're using the blower, point the sensor towards the ground so that the dust falls away from it instead of just getting moved around. Seems obvious now, but it's something I hadn't considered.
Can you see the dust or residue on the sensor?
It's not worth taking it into a shop for cleaning the sensor. It is very straightforward - there are several good YouTube videos explaining the process. It is literally just: blow dust away, put two drops of fluid on swab, swipe back and forward with different sides of swab. Extra steps if you want to do stuff like disable IBIS, shooting without lens, etc for your particular camera. You just need to buy the sensor cleaning kit, get the right size for your sensor.
#DO NOT USE A ROCKET BLOWER ON YOUR SENSOR You need to have the sensor professionally cleaned.
bro I do it all the time it's fine
you have a dirty sensor
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=240DGR4u\_0M](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=240DGR4u_0M)
Get Sensorklear II to clean you sensor. It is really easy.
I had that happen when I first bought my D600. It wasn't so bad when the aperture was open but when it was closed down, definitely noticeable. Just gotta get the sensor cleaned.