Help with mark in camera

[happysaz133]

This has been like this for about 2 weeks now. I noticed it after a batch of photos from hillwalking, however it was on every one so I assume whatever it is on the lens must have got stuck before that. I bought a lens pen, cleaned my lenses, and even after that, it seems that whatever it is, is inside of the camera. You can see the mark in the top right corner

I'm usually careful when it comes to the camera, so I don't know what it is, possibly a hair? The camera seems to be working fine, only this is ruining my pictures now. I don't want to put anything inside the camera to try and remove it, however from just looking I can't see anything.

Do I need a cleaning kit, or do I need to take it somewhere to be cleaned? If so, what would this cost roughly? Thanks.


800×532 clicky

[Nod]

It looks as though you have a hair on your sensor. Not the end of the world and something that almost every DSLR owner suffers from at some point! Probably the easiest way to shift it is to get a hurricane blower and follow the instructions in the camera manual for raising the mirror and opening the shutter. Try gentle puffs with the blower to start off with - strong puffs can blow the hair into a crevice in the mirror box where it can hide until it reappears when you least want it to!

Failing that, you may need to resort to contact cleaning. Hairs will normally come away easily with an Arctic Butterfly but that isn't a cheap option. A VERY clean, small paintbrush could be used to pick it off if you've got very steady hands and can see exactly where to lift the hair off.

Even a full sensor clean is well within the capabilities of most people but the thought of what can go wrong is a bit off-putting. I use a SensorKlear from LensPen for cleaning mine and I find it works well. I use the things as a one shot deal before retiring them to less hazardous duties (LCD screens, 'phone screens, filters etc.).

ETA.
Looking at your sample picture, the hair appears to be overhanging the bottom corner of the sensor, so a steady hand and a clean paintbrush will almost certainly be the easiest way to pick it off. Try not to drag the hair over the sensor - it may have picked up a tiny bit of lubricant from somewhere in the box and it's easy to spread a little a long way!
Good luck.

[sillyconguru]

Just follow the instructions on page 105 of your camera's user manual.

[Learning]

Just follow the instructions on page 105 of your camera's user manual.

Good advice. I don't want to seem condescending however since you need to ask on the forum what caused the problem it is best to follow the official Nikon Line. The D40 as the camera was not a guess. If you are wandering how we know then have a look at Opanda.

[happysaz133]

Just follow the instructions on page 105 of your camera's user manual.

I don't have a manual. My camera came with one in Japanese after I bought it from the USA.

[happysaz133]

Just follow the instructions on page 105 of your camera's user manual.

Good advice. I don't want to seem condescending however since you need to ask on the forum what caused the problem it is best to follow the official Nikon Line. The D40 as the camera was not a guess. If you are wandering how we know then have a look at Opanda.

Yes it is the NIkon d40. What is Opanda? I am only just learning how to use the camera, because of the manual problems and I only just got a book on learning how to use it. I thought this would be a good place to ask.

[sillyconguru]

I don't have a manual. My camera came with one in Japanese after I bought it from the USA.

You can download a copy from a Nikon website

What is Opanda?

Opanda