Maybe there is dust on the lens?

Dust on camera sensors is a problem. I recently sent a Nikon D800 body to Nikon SA to have the sensor cleaned. It came back to me with scratches on the sensor - the camera is useless and can be trashed.

So I am on the lookout for another camera body. I find one on the Camera World website - I have bought from them before and it was a good experience. I ask them if the sensor is clean and free of scratches. Immediately the answer comes back: “This unit is rated in good condition, sensor is clean”. Based on this I purchase the camera.

When it arrives I check the sensor - it’s covered in dust. I fire off an email with a picture of the dust on the sensor to Camera World asking about the condition of the sensor and receive.. no reply. The next day I call and chat to Jacques. He’s super helpful and arranges for the camera to be returned. Nice.

A few days later he calls me and asks how I managed to get the picture of the dust on the sensor. Alarm bells start ringing in my head. I explain this is the procedure:

Take a picture of a white background at F22 Import the RAW file into Lightroom Go to the Develop module Go to the Spot removal tool and click on “Visualise Spots” at the bottom of the screen.

Jacques calls me back and says he can’t see any dust on the sensor - there must be dust on the lens.

Nope - dust on the lens will not render in the image like this.

Frustrated, I count my losses and ask for the camera to be returned.

Lesson learnt: the guys at Camera World are friendly, helpful and their sales process is efficient. But if you have problems with the gear you have purchased - you are on your own.