D7000 Oil on Sensor.

[JimC]

Looks like a spec of dust on the sensor would look to my eyes.

[jack55]

Originally Posted by rle

Hi guys, your thoughts, is the spot in the upper left oil?

This near the end of a continuous set of shots @ F22. I guess the exif is there, I did not try to remove it.

Thanks for your help.

Rich.

PS from my d7000

Looks like you have another spot straight below from that one, just past center line. I think you would have to have more of those if it was an oil problem, but I could be wrong.

I forget where on my sensor now since it's been 6 months since I sold my D7000. I think mine was more to the center of my screen and it was irritating.
I do recall the spot looked like yours, but mine was worse and I had to clean it more than once and that was getting old. So I sold it. I have a D3 & D5100 now as I like both FX & DX depending on my shooting.

[rle]

I too did not think it looked like the other examples of oil spots.

Would I be ok to raise the mirror and use an air bulb to clean?

[JimC]

You may or may not get it that way, depending if it's loose enough to blow off or not. But, that would be one thing to try. For stubborn dust, you may need to result to using sensor swaps and eclipse.

Here's a site that outlines a variety of cleaning method that may be handy:

http://www.cleaningdigitalcameras.com/index.html

[Koolpc]

I can see 3 spots

[corkpix]

Originally Posted by Koolpc

I can see 3 spots

You will find a few more if you look closely. These look like ordinary
dust spots to me. I often see a similar number of spots on images
from my Canon DSLR.

[Bynx]

If you compare your shot, with what looks likes 1 spot to me, with a shot of oil spots on page 1 of this thread, you will see a similarity in size and opaqueness but Id say it was just a dust spot. If it was oil it would be much much worse with the pattern of spots like that image on page 1. You can raise your mirror and with an air rocket or some such cleaning tool blow on the sensor. Actually you will be blowing on the cover thats on the sensor. If its just dust it should go away or move position at worst. If it doesnt move and remains for another shot taken at f22, then its probably an oil spot. Id almost say its nothing to worry about if thats as bad as it gets at f22 because its easily fixed and for most shots never seen.

[rle]

Thanks Bynx, I used an air rocket, as you said, and yes they did move. So, I'll try again. But as you said, I did not see any artifacts in any of my photos.

[Koolpc]

I think it is oil

[JimC]

Originally Posted by Koolpc

I think it is oil

Nah. That's exactly the way dust on a sensor looks, especially the spot that's more visible in the upper left of the frame in the image that was posted by rle.

Now, I'm beginning to wonder if users with no experience with dust on a sensor are thinking they're seeing spots of oil.

Now, that's not to say that there are no legitimate problems with oil. But, I suspect that some users think they have a problem with oil with all of the attention it got on forums, when they're just seeing [typical] specs of dust instead.