ALL WE ARE IS DUST on the sensor

Should this dust actually appear in a real-world image, shot at f8 or larger, I would use the AutoRetouch tool in Capture NX2, and never worry again.

I use Eclipse fluid and swabs if a blower -- DON'T USE Pressurized CANNED AIR t oclean a sensor. I think that like the D3 and D700 you need to use the Eclipse 2 fluid on the D300 but check first..

Send it to Nikon for a FREE cleaning.

Eclipse 2 + sensor swabs. Must be the 2.

In the future, change lenses with the mount facing down and new lens at the ready to go right on. Make sure the back of the new lens is clean so use lens caps.

Blow of the mirror off after each outing, raise the mirror but not open the shutter and blow out the whole mirror chamber to keep dust from migrating to the sensor. I ocassionally blow off the sensor cover whether it needs it or not. Long term dust tends to stick more.

Condensation can also form, so do not bring the camera in from the cold and let it warm rapidly. Even with film cameras, I used to wrap the whole camera bag in my parka for 8 hours. Insulate it if you are traveling in a car not yet up to interior temp. Be wary of humid climates and taking a camera out into warm humid air.

Thank you so far !

- Bill, any software is not an option for me since it is an extra time to process pictures..

- Allis, thank you I will check about Eclipse fluid.. could you precise a blower type...?

- Elliot, My D300 is a gray market body bought in S. Korea. no free cleaning for it :(

NB.

Ronald, thank you too ! :)

Canned air: bad

Air from a compressor: especially bad (lubricants from the compressing equipment are part of the output, unless you're using a compressor that cost a lot more than your camera did)

The Eclipse products work just great. Don't be afraid to give your sensor's filter a careful wiping. It's easy, it takes seconds, and even the cost of the swabs and fluid is next to nothing considering time over which one package will eventually be consumed.

"Well the huge disadvantage of all DSRL is that the sensor is always the same!"

You are looking at the glass half empty. The big advantage of digital over film is that I only have to fix my dust problems once in the original file, while with film it has to be dealt with on a print by print basis. Film is just as susceptible to dust, it's just that if you are using 35mm it's so grainy that you never notice, and if you don't notice dust when using larger formats it's because the lab tech is spotting the prints for you. As someone who did their own film processing and printing I find find my digital dust problems quite relaxing in comparison. I'll never trade in the spot healing brush for a bottle of Spotone again!

I use Eclipse fluid and PEC pads to keep my sensors clean. This has worked well for me since 2002. I also take care not to expose the interior of the mirror box to the outside air more than a few seconds during lens changes.