Dirt on the Lens

[threespires]

My Canon Ixus has this mark that comes out on the pix, I've cleaned the lens to no avail.

When I zoom, the spot gets darker and more pronounced.

Has anybody got any ideas?

[Murph7355]

If it's on the lens, you'd probably be able to see it.

More likely it's something on the sensor I would think. Not sure what you'll be able to do in that event. You could try compressed air around the lens area? But be careful - these small P&S can be sensitive to abuse.

[LongQ]

Sensor or well inside the lens.

I have an Ixus 70 in bits on my desk (accidental water ingress, allegedly which has taken out the tracks on a circuit board - so it's stuffed) and the lens and sensor would be difficult if not impossible to get at without huge risk of damage.

A blower might shift it - worth a try. Or maybe tapping it gently so see if the problem drops away somewhere. I suspect it would be fairly costly to get it looked at but whether it would be worth it depends on age and model.

[Murph7355]

LongQ said:

.... I suspect it would be fairly costly to get it looked at but whether it would be worth it depends on age and model.

I don't think there's any Ixus, even new ones, that would warrant it unfortunately.

Photoshop will get rid of most of them. Just be inventive with the photography and stick to the rule of thirds

I'd try a blower. Then get a new camera if it doesn't work.

[Kermit power]

I'd just take it out in Photoshop and not worry too much about it. I had a vague feeling that photoshop could be set up to remove dust spots from multiple photos in a batch process? Might be wrong about this of course!

[threespires]

Shopping it out seems to be the best solution. It's a blessing the mark is at the top of the picture, so will usually be in Sky.

Thanks for your advice PH'ers.

[Murph7355]

Also...how old's the camera?

That shot doesn't look that well focussed...might be worth a request in to Father Christmas anyway

[Famous Graham]

threespires said:

When I zoom, the spot gets darker and more pronounced.

Definitely on the inside side of the lens, if you follow me. ie either on the back of it or on the sensor.

If it were on the outside, the opposite would happen.

[threespires]

Murph7355 said:

Also...how old's the camera?

That shot doesn't look that well focussed...might be worth a request in to Father Christmas anyway

Agreed Murph, it is a poor picture, sadly my friend cannot grasp the concept of the double click on the shutter, so lots of her pix are this way. I gave her my 850IS when I upgraded.

I think it'll have to be a bit of Photoshop & put up with with the dirt mark.

For anybody interested, I've just posted pix from Reliant Scimitar and Ferrari O/c at Curborough on Sunday 16 Aug. :- http://tinyurl.com/robertgroundsphoto