In a previous post, I talked about the importance of keeping your camera’s sensor clean. The best way to do that is to be extremely careful when you switch out lenses on your camera.
But, what if you still get a little dust on your sensor despite being super careful?
I always thought I was a little too careful with switching out lenses, so when I noticed an outrageously huge speck of dust in one of my photos last week, I have to admit I freaked out a little bit.
I turned the camera on and off, hoping the built-in sensor cleaning would take care of it, but it was still there! I noticed the spot moved a little though, so I tried turning my camera on and off about five times in a row, and finally the dust was gone from my images!
So, if you ever get a noticeably large speck of dust on your images, try running your camera’s sensor cleaning over and over again (don’t just do it once) to see if the speck eventually moves off your sensor.
I’ve noticed on some cameras that this sensor cleaning isn’t always automatic when you turn your camera on and off, so check your manual to be sure. And, I’ve also learned that on some cameras, there’s a special “more advanced” sensor cleaning function that’s buried in the menus somewhere. So check that out too.
Happy sensor cleaning! 
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About the Author: Steve Berardi is a naturalist, photographer, computer scientist, and founder of PhotoNaturalist. You can usually find him hiking in the beautiful mountains and deserts of Southern California.
Happened to me, too, but the built-in camera cleaning functions didn’t work, so I used a Giottos Rocket-Air Blaster (http://www.amazon.com/Giottos-AA1900-Rocket-Blaster-Large/dp/B00017LSPI/) which did the trick.
Sam – Thanks for recommending that air blaster thing. I keep hearing good things about it and keep meaning to try it out.
I too use a Giottos Rocket Blower for 99% of my cleaning. Not only do I use it on the sensor, but it’s great for blowing dust off of my lenses. A couple quick blasts on the rear element of a lens before you but it on the camera will help to keep your sensor clean.
For any stubborn specs on the sensor, I use the Arctic Butterfly and sensor swabs from Visible Dust. A little pricey, but worth not having to send my camera in to be cleaned.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/550855-REG/Visible_Dust_4051350_Arctic_Butterfly_724_Sensor.html
Thank you for the advice; I find those annoying dust spots when I use my 70-300 lens, particularly. I think I need to get out my manual and check the sensor cleaning procedure.
Blowing more air full of dust on the sensor doesn’t seem a very good idea…
I use an Artic Butterfly and ethanol swabs on my 5D2. You have to know what you’re doing and take care, but I have always got my sensor spotless. It even removed really hard to remove dirt. Great system, but quite pricey. Worth it though just to get rid of nasty dust spots that require hours of retouching.