Bushwalk Australia

On the weekend I was up Mt. Gnomon and I noticed there was a UFO hovering over Ulverstone. Only it couldn't be seen with the naked eye, only through my camera when it was zoomed in a bit! The lens is clean and it's still there - the bottom photo is taken looking at a blank wall.

My question is: Is my camera stuffed or what?

Probably dust on the sensor (the electronic array which replaces the film in a digital camera), particularly if it is a DSLR. They need periodic cleaning.

BarryJ wrote:They need periodic cleaning.

...unless you buy and Olympus DLSR (duck)

I WANT to believe, but c'mon I could do better with 5' in PS.

Keep your eyes on the skies

Dan

BarryJ wrote:Probably dust on the sensor (the electronic array which replaces the film in a digital camera), particularly if it is a DSLR. They need periodic cleaning.

Nah it's a Panasonic Lumix FX-520 compact. Not so simple!

Almost definitely your camera has a foreign object on the sensor.
Try setting the camera in manual and open the aperture right up (f2.8 or as low as the number will go)
Take a photo of the sky, doesn't matter about focus.
Then adjust the f stop to f22 or as high as the number will go, take the same sky photo.
The blob will be more in focus on the 2nd image.
It is clear that of the two images provided, the blob is more defined in the 2nd, indicating a narrower aperture (higher f stop)
Chances are the best option ofr you is to send the camera to a service centre for repair.
Sorry for bad news.

sthughes wrote:

BarryJ wrote:Probably dust on the sensor (the electronic array which replaces the film in a digital camera), particularly if it is a DSLR. They need periodic cleaning.

Nah it's a Panasonic Lumix FX-520 compact. Not so simple!

In that case, this is a manufacturing or design fault.

This is a reasonably recent camera isn't it? Is it still under warranty?

First port of call is the service centre. There is no way the user can introduce dust into the sensor area, so it should be covered under warranty (even if it is just out of warranty, they should make some accommodation)

The next port of call if the service centre will not help would be a qualified camera mechanic. I know one here in Adelaide if that helps.

The last port of call is replacement therapy. (If the service centre plays ball, they will likely just replace the whole unit)

Asking the obvious, it's not on the lens is it?
Unlikely, but possible...

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Brett wrote:The simple test is take one shot on the minimum and one on the maximum zoom setting and if it changes location or size then it probably is the lens, if not London to a brick it is the sensor.

Cheers Brett

Good thought. So I saved the 2 images to my computer and played image 1 then image 2 and back again a few times.
Assuming neither image is cropped, it's either on or in the lens, because in the 2nd image it's a tad lower.
This being the case, if it isn't something on the front of the lens, you could try pumping a bit of hi pressure air around the lens to hopefully make enough of an internal airflow to dislodge it (not too high, I'm talking a rocket blower here not a compressor).
Good luck!

A late thought...
If the rocket blower is successful, you could conclude this topic with a unique headline...
UFO eliminated by Rocket...

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Well I'll be buggered!

Firstly no it was not on the outside of the lense - I cleaned and double cleaned even though I could see no problem. Didin't help.

BUT...

I just got it out to have a look at the whole aperture/focus thing as suggested by Tasadam and the UFO is gone! It was there yesterday on top of Pillenger and now it's gone!
While I was using it on a track today I slipped and fell head first (pack and all) into the dirt. The camera got a fair whack as I tried to break my fall with my hand with the camera in it and turned on. It's currently got a fair bit of debris and dirt on it but no UFO in it's pics! I'm baffled - I was surprised it still worked at all after it's 'trip', but it works better than ever!

Thanks for all the help guys, if my mysterious visitors from another world return I'll try and eliminate them with a rocket !

But for now if anyone else has this same problem I suggest taking hold of your camera and punching it into some small dead myrtle trees and wet dirt as hard as you can, then jump on it chest first with a full pack and rub it in the leaf matter good and proper - seams to work a treat!

sthughes wrote:While I was using it on a track today I slipped and fell head first (pack and all) into the dirt. The camera got a fair whack as I tried to break my fall with my hand with the camera in it and turned on. It's currently got a fair bit of debris and dirt on it but no UFO in it's pics! I'm baffled - I was surprised it still worked at all after it's 'trip', but it works better than ever!

Are you going to patent this technique. To be scientifically accurate you will need to reproduce the experiment a couple of times. Let us all know when you are testing the technique so we can turn up and witness the experiment.

sthughes wrote:Well I'll be buggered!

No great mystery. There is a chunk of dirt or something in there somewhere and the jolt has dislodged ot from the optic path. It's still in there, but not causing any grief at the moment.
Keep an eye out for it, especially if you are photographing anything really important.
At least you know what to do to fix it now.........

FF's going to get a lot of mileage out of this one... I can see the strollers now... every time st stumbles... "what's that? a bit of dust on your lense?"

sthughes wrote:But for now if anyone else has this same problem I suggest taking hold of your camera and punching it into some small dead myrtle trees and wet dirt as hard as you can, then jump on it chest first with a full pack and rub it in the leaf matter good and proper...

Isn't that Standard Operating Procedure for turning the camera on when bushwalking?

scavenger wrote:Isn't that Standard Operating Procedure for turning the camera on when bushwalking?

Depends on the brand.
*ducks for cover*

Well, I was thinking of the Nikonites when I wrote that . . .