HELP: What is this WEIRD DOT on my photo?

Question

I just bought the Nikkor 18-200mm lens a week ago. I like the lens so far, but it creates a darkened spot in the same place on all my images.

Sometimes the spot is a bit smaller and more defined (towards the 18mm side), and sometimes its larger and lighter (towards the 200mm side), but it's always there. (on a few images there are three spots!!).

At first I thought it was lens flare, or a hot spot, but I don't think it is. I can see the spot through the viewfinder at all times. I will upload two or three example images.

I don't know if it's some sort of dirt in the lens, or if I should return the lens to get fixed.
If anyone has any suggestions I would GREATLY appreciate them!

Thanks a bunch.
Naomi

http://www.mayanphotography.com/dots-1.jpg
http://www.mayanphotography.com/dots-2.jpg
http://www.mayanphotography.com/dots-3.jpg

Answer 1

Maybe you're capturing ghosts on film! :-) That sucks though, I think you should take it to a camera store and have it looked at. Ritz Camera generally won't charge you unless they actually fix it.

Answer 2

That spot is a smudge of dirt on your lens that is probably on the inside of the lens. When you changed your lens you weren't careful enough and a speck of dirt go on to the lens from the inside. When you change a lens you're supposed to be very careful, you're supposed to do it quickly and out of way of the wind. I always carry a can of compressed air to blow around the lens before I remove the lens from the camera. I hold the camer with the lens pointing straight out and I leave the cap on the new lens that is being installed until such a point that it is only a few inches from the camera and then quickly install it. The smudge of dirt could be dust from the low-pass filter. You're supposed to have the camera cleaned every so often. If you take a lot of photos then you should have this done at least twice per year, or more often if needed.

Answer 3

it is not your lens. you have a common dust spot on your ccd sensor in your digital camera. That is why the spot appears in the exact same place on your pics. If your camera has a mirror lock up function then you can try blowing some air over the sensor. Do this in as dust free environment as possible. Do not touch the sensor or rub anything on it. Otherwise take to a shop for cleaning.

Answer 4

You have dust on your CCD.

==== DETAIL ====

Most of the time, if you have dust on your lens (or even inside your lens) it does NOT affect the image quality. The only time it MIGHT affect it if the sunlight actually hit the front of the lens. But then it is visible as WHITISH dots not dark dots.

I often leave dust on my lens during shoots. I rather take care of it later when I can do it right (back at home). And cleaning the lens excessively will eventually strip the lens of its coating.

====

You just said you got the lens. That tells me that you have an SLR (most likely a digital SLR). Point and shoot cameras are sealed for dust. But every time you remove your lens, you have the possibility of getting dust inside your camera. This is so much of a problem that many pros (including myself) NEVER remove the lens during a shoot.

You have to either clean the CCD or have it cleaned at a camera repair shop. I've done it many times. But it is one of those things that's simple to do if you know but the first time is always the most difficult to figure out. But if you don't feel confident, have a pro clean the CCD for you. You scratch your CCD, you've ruined you camera.

http://www.bythom.com/cleaning.htm
http://www.photosol.com/

I've used sensor swab and they work really well. Just make sure you DON'T apply pressure on the CCD (just lightly brush off the CCD).

Here's a video on how it's done. Just remember to be gentle.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpSi27u4azQ&mode=related&search=

Good Luck.

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Answer 5

Naomi:
I have had the same dot effect in my Nikon camera (also with an 18 x 200 lens) and two technicians gave different answers. I went to the Nikon repair service and they found the problem in the camera itself. It is a mirror blemish, but they fixed the matter with no more dots to worry about. Dots that.
Spartawo...

Answer 6

Looks like dust on the sensor. You can clean it yourself, just be careful. Either Google the procedure or take it to a camera shop and watch how the tech does it. You'll need a special sensor cleaning kit and a blower brush made for cameras (NOT canned air!)

Sensor dust is a fact of life with dSLR's. Learn how to do it and then don't worry about it.

Answer 7

You have a spot on your CCD, and it needs to be cleaned. Unless you know what you are doing you need to take it to a pro shop that specializes in this type of work.

Hope this helps,
Kevin

Answer 8

Return it, get a new one. Before time runs out, take the pics to show them. If they wont. Get a hold of the manufacture. They may be able to help you figure it out or even replace it as long as you have a reciept.

Answer 9

try cleaning your lens if that dosnt work take it to get fixer it seems like it in the same spot every time.

Answer 10

Something on your lens or a glass aberration, inclusion.