Utter frustration!

[Maestro]

Okay, there is a speck of dirt on some aparatus of my camera, EOS Digital Rebel XT. I have cleaned the lens, the CMOS sensor, etc... and I can't get rid of it. But here is the wierd part. The speck is not showing up in photos. Does this mean that it is actually on my viewfinder. I have cleaned that too but still the speck is there. Can anyone see a speck in this photo? It should be just right and little above the lamp post. I don't see anything.


Okay, if you do not see it, where the heck is this speck hiding? :shrug:

[ET Awful]

1. So you see it when you're shooting but not on the final product?

That's usually something in the viewfinder if so.

I don't see anything in the photo that looks like dust on the sensor.

[Maestro]

3. Thanks.

Yes, I see it in the viewfinder but not the final product. Here are some other test pics. The speck should show up in the upper right hand part of the pic.



It should be just right of these flames on the right hand side but I see nothing. I will try to clean my viewfinder better.

Edit: What a dumb pic to use. You can't see anything because of the fire screen. Sorry. Hey, but it is sort of a nice pic.

[Blue_In_AK]

2. The only thing I see that looks remotely like a speck...

is IN the lamp itself, and that's probably just part of the lamp. :shrug:

[Maestro]

4. Yep, that is the bulb in the lamp I bet.

I took of shot of my floor to see if the speck would stand out. Other than showing that I have a dirty floor, I can't see the speck. It's driving my nuts.



The speck should show up somewhere to the right of my daughter's face in the floor area. I don't see any dirt except the dirt already on the floor. :)

Edit: What may look like specks I assure you are scuff marks on my wood flooring. How embarrassing!

[ET Awful]

5. I've had what you're talking about before, and I'm 90% sure it's a speck

on the viewfinder. A good blast of air from a powerful bulb blower should get rid of it (I use a Giottos Rocket Blower, good strong blast of air).

[Maestro]

10. Thanks for the advice

I will look into purchasing that blower. I think part of the problem is that I can't get enough air blowing through (on) the mirrors. I could just use a vaccuum cleaner I suppose. ;)

[RagingInMiami]

6. I think I see it

Nah, that was just some chocolate smeared on my computer screen.

[Maestro]

8. Hahahaha!

:spray:

[chknltl]

7. Viewfinder problem likely but here is another test to confirm:

Find something solidly white, a wall or a sheet, an old movie screen a large sheet of butcher paper...you get the idea. Shoot that. The speck will be easier to spot if it is there to spot at all.

Some cameras have eye pieces which allow access to both sides. Perhaps yours does too.

On SLRs, (Single lens reflex) cameras, there is a mirror which diverts the image up to the viewfinder. Often times annoying specks collect here. These are VERY visible to the viewfinder but disappear when the one shoots the photo because the mirror moves up out of the way allowing the image to expose the film.

It is not likely that the speck is on your lens because those "specks" show up as dim blurs, if at all. Cameras are not designed to resolve, (focus on), anything that close to the surface of the lens. Microscopes can but not cameras.

That is all I can think of about your speck, I hope this is of some help. Once the speck is located, the air method of removal as has been suggested by others here will likely be the best way for removal. Another way would be to take the camera down to your local camera shop. Most will diagnose the problem and if possible remove that speck for free while you wait. (Good customer service = repeat business) Good luck Maestro

[Maestro]

9. Great ideas

Thank you very much. I bet it is on the mirror that reflects the image up to the viewfinder. I am going to use a stronger bulb blower to blast it out. Or I could go by my local Wolf's Camera shop.