Canon MP-E65 - Getting weird spots in images

[Glenn NK]

I used the combination of defocusing the lens as well as moving the camera during exposure - that certainly made the sensor dirt spots stand out.

- Bill

That's a very clever idea - moving the camera - it ensures that the only thing "in focus" is the sensor, and enables one to use a small aperture without using a high ISO, or requiring a good light level.

This should be part of the sensor cleaning process.

Glenn

[William W]

Kind of defeats the purpose of spending the money on the only lens on the market today that does 5:1 macro if I never use it at 5:1 macro.... That is the whole reason I bought this lens.

That was the exact point of my humour.

WW

[DanK]

Revi--

If you mean the magnification wrt the subject (as in macro photography), then no, magnification won't play a role, as the spots are formed on the sensor, independent of the subject.

Right you are! I didn't think it through clearly. Thanks for correcting this.

Dan K

[William W]

That's a very clever idea - moving the camera - it ensures that the only thing "in focus" is the sensor, and enables one to use a small aperture without using a high ISO, or requiring a good light level. This should be part of the sensor cleaning process.
Glenn

Yes it is.

The penny dropped for me, at post #3 by Steve S, when he suggested both moving the camera and also an alternative (low light level) target, to using the sky.

And yes, it should be part of the cleaning process.

Very simple and a very good technique.

WW