whats the difference between water and dust spots?

12/05/2010 01:09:54 AM · #1

I was wondering because you can clone out a dust spot but not a water spot on the lens. How can I tell the difference and why does it matter in getting dq'd?

12/05/2010 01:30:16 AM · #2

Not a dust spot on the lens. A dust spot on the sensor, or hot pixels. These are both sensor related imperfections and not really part of the captured image. Dust or water spots on the lens are something within the immediate control of the photographer.

12/05/2010 01:36:32 AM · #3

ok, but how do you tell the difference?

12/05/2010 01:39:38 AM · #4

Sensor crud is usually a roundish blob that shows up in lighter areas, and cleaning your lens will not do anything to get rid of it. I can see how they would appear similar, but I'm not sure how to describe the difference. Let me see if I can find something with sensor dirt.

12/05/2010 01:55:27 AM · #5

well I have plenty of roundish blobs, very tiny too, some smaller than others. I I think i am safe with cloning them out for the challenge.

12/05/2010 02:01:53 AM · #6

Took a few minutes for me to find something. Here are a couple of examples showing the same two blobs of sensor dirt in both images.

Message edited by author 2010-12-05 02:02:57.

12/05/2010 02:02:45 AM · #7

If they look similar to my examples, then I think you're fine.

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

12/05/2010 02:08:35 AM · #8

they are similar to that, I have one that is huge though, but its on all of my photos. so I know its dust or something else.

MelonMusketeer

Nikon D7000

Nikon MF 50mm f/1.4

12/05/2010 03:53:12 AM · #9

Go to aperture priority and manual focus, set your aperture for f16, iso at 100, and focus at infinity. While at your computer, open a screen that is bright, and shoot one photo of the screen while moving the camera around during the exposure. If you have anything on your sensor, it will stand out like a black bean in a plate of rice in the image.

BrennanOB

Canon EOS-1D Mark II

12/05/2010 04:01:32 AM · #10

Originally posted by mgarsteck:

they are similar to that, I have one that is huge though, but its on all of my photos. so I know its dust or something else.

Do you have your settings set to clean the sensor on shut down? I was very skeptical of this feature but have found it really extends the time between wet cleanings.