Image Dust Off Reference

[Shadowman]

I mentioned this camera function in the past and have to say that it does help; especially when you've exhausted every attempt to clean using harmless methods.

http://www.digital-photography.com/n...off-ref-photo/

[DanK]

Canon offers something similar, 'dust delete data.' However, AFAIK, it's like the Nikon function: it works only with Canon's proprietary raw rendering software (DPP). For that reason, I have never tried it.

[Shadowman]

Hi Dan,

The Nikon version readily shows the difference on the LCD, I'm sure that when images are captured in RAW the results will transfer with the software used. Additionally, I'm sure that if a new dust bunny pops up the reference photo will have to be retaken, so keeping the sensor and lens clean is obviously first priority.

[DanK]

John,

I'd be surprised if the results will transfer to nonproprietary software. The link you posted has this:

This works only with Nikon‘s software Capture

If you find it does work with other software anyway, I'm sure there are nikon shooters here who will be happy to hear it.

Dan

[Shadowman]

John,

I'd be surprised if the results will transfer to nonproprietary software. The link you posted has this:



If you find it does work with other software anyway, I'm sure there are nikon shooters here who will be happy to hear it.

Dan

Hi Dan,

I convert with Adobe DNG and then transfer into LightRoom, I didn't see any dust on the images from today but will continue to monitor.

[Shadowman]

Dan,

Photo on the left was converted using the Dust Off Reference file, photo on the left converted with Adobe DNG. The dust speck was in the upper right corner, software help file says that a reference image should be taken often.

[IzzieK]

It is time for me to clean y sensor soon as I had not touched my camera for a while. Thanks for reminding me. If this needs to be done constantly, then I think it will be easier to just remove the dust bunny manually if they are not that many. What do you think? In the sample that you showed, the colour of the sky changed too. I kinda like the original colour...

[Shadowman]

It is time for me to clean y sensor soon as I had not touched my camera for a while. Thanks for reminding me. If this needs to be done constantly, then I think it will be easier to just remove the dust bunny manually if they are not that many. What do you think? In the sample that you showed, the colour of the sky changed too. I kinda like the original colour...

Hi Izzie,

I thought the Dust Off would suffice as my attempts to clean with just a towel didn't help, I could resort to the Dust Off air puffer but I hear those just blow the bunnies around. Yes it can be fixed in-process and that helps, it just sometimes takes micro inspection to catch everything. Regarding the change in the sky, I think the Dust Off function may have altered the image a bit when it used the reference file. Thanks for viewing.

[DanK]

John,

Very interesting, but I'm not sure I understand fully. Conversion to DNG isn't likely to be the sticking point. The problem, if there is one, would come up if you use non-Nikon software to render the raw capture. E.g., something like this:

1. create a dust off reference image using the camera's menu
2. Take a raw capture of something like a sky, which would show the dust
3. Process the raw image once using Nikon software
4. Process the raw image once using ACR or Lightroom.

If the camera option changes the raw data, then 3 and 4 should both work. If it simply creates data for Capture to use, then #4 probably won't work.

Here's an explanation of how it works. It creates a reference image, and Nikon software, in rendering the raw image, reads the *.ndf file with the dust off data. Unless ACR can read *.ndf files, it has no access to that information.

Dan

[Shadowman]

John,

Very interesting, but I'm not sure I understand fully. Conversion to DNG isn't likely to be the sticking point. The problem, if there is one, would come up if you use non-Nikon software to render the raw capture. E.g., something like this:

1. create a dust off reference image using the camera's menu
2. Take a raw capture of something like a sky, which would show the dust
3. Process the raw image once using Nikon software
4. Process the raw image once using ACR or Lightroom.

If the camera option changes the raw data, then 3 and 4 should both work. If it simply creates data for Capture to use, then #4 probably won't work.

Here's an explanation of how it works. It creates a reference image, and Nikon software, in rendering the raw image, reads the *.ndf file with the dust off data. Unless ACR can read *.ndf files, it has no access to that information.

Dan

Hi Dan, I followed the full procedure last night and that is where I got the two images above. I plan to repeat again tonight on another more dusty image and will try to present untouched by any edits.

[george013]

John,

How did you take your reference picture?

George

[Shadowman]

John,

How did you take your reference picture?

George

Hi George, I shot a white wall about 4" from target.

[george013]

Hi George, I shot a white wall about 4" from target.

Use the smallest aperture you have, F22 or more. Aim on a white wall, overexpose the picture by taking a longer shutter speed and move the camera a little.
The smallest aperture for the dust is laying on the filter before the sensor. A small aperture will give the sharpest contour of the dust on the sensor.
Overexpose will give a white background.
Moving the camera will prevent texture from the wall to be taken.
That's how I check for dust.

George

[Shadowman]

Use the smallest aperture you have, F22 or more. Aim on a white wall, overexpose the picture by taking a longer shutter speed and move the camera a little.
The smallest aperture for the dust is laying on the filter before the sensor. A small aperture will give the sharpest contour of the dust on the sensor.
Overexpose will give a white background.
Moving the camera will prevent texture from the wall to be taken.
That's how I check for dust.

George

I'll try that for my next reference file, in the meantime I've given my gear a good once over and should be ok until I change lenses again.