Not sensor dust but sensor plastic

I had my camera sensor cleaned by Canon about 4 weeks ago and on getting it back I took the body cap off and connected my 24-70mm lens and it’s never been off. Last week marks started forming on the sensor and then a few days ago this huge chunk of crap was on the sensor.

You can see the effect of it on the stitched image I took just to see how it would turn out.

I took it to a local camera tech guy (Tim) and he pulled out this small chunk of black plastic off the sensor and then removed some other small fragments. We came to the conclusion that somehow either when Canon put the body cap on or when I took it off the cameras lens chassis has shaved off some plastic from the body cap and it has fallen into the sensor well. By luck the small piece of plastic on the sensor was the best place for it. He said it could have easily made it’s way else where and cost me $500 + in the end it cost me nothing to have cleaned. Phew. The piece of plastic was about 3mm x 1 mm in size.

Mum I found my bike..

When I was out shooting the other morning I walked past this bike that some fisherman has obviously pulled out of the river and lent against the light pole, hoping that maybe some kid will be reunited with his bike. Looks like the lucky owner has a cleaning job on their hands.

Word of advice before buying the 360 Precision Head

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BEFORE YOU BUY THIS HEAD I HIGHLY RECOMMEND YOU READ THIS WHOLE POST AND THE COMMENTS FROM PAST CUSTOMERS AND ALSO FROM THE OWNER OF THE COMPANY.
I WELCOME PEOPLE TO POST THEIR EXPERIENCES BOTH GOOD AND BAD.
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There is a lot of talk among people on which panoramic head to get as stitching is becoming popular. But I wanted to point out a few things on my purchase of the 360 precision absolute head that people might want to take into consideration before forking out a good sum of money.

1. My 360 head was set up for the 24-70mm lens. On receiving my head via FedEx the box contained no receipt of purchase, no instructions nothing other than the head and a bag of screws and washers (spares im assuming, well I hope so anyway). I got two dent rings and one was already fitted in the head. So three dent rings all up. The dent rings are double sided giving me six shooting options, the rings arnt labled at all so you dont know what settings they are for. (Once again I guessing).

2. Prior to buying the head all my email enquiries were answered within 12 hours from Matt at Precision. Since buying the head I emailed them asking about the three rings and any form of instructions on what I got. This was 10 – 14 days ago now and I have sent the same email to their orders email and Matts email address all tagged correctly as per their website instructions to avoid their SPAM filters. I tried emailing via their website’s tech support page but the page fails and you cant send anything. To date no reply from them at all.

3. When you go to the website for help on your precision the only page with details is how to put it together ie two screws the rest of the pages are “Under Construction” and have been like that for a very long time.

4. I joined their forum and was told I’d have my account activated within 24 hours…. still waiting and its been 6 days now. So I guess that wont be happening either.

5. Their is no doubt the head it well made and the information on the site is accurate about its quality and ability and isn’t embellished. Their lack of after sales support and communication has a lot to be desired. The head comes with a 5 year warranty and I’m just glad it looks almost indestructible as a business that doesn’t answer simple, polite emails asking about the head they just paid $1500 for wouldnt honor any warranty.

6. I know the dents on the head and working it out isn’t rocket science but I expected emails to be answered with info on the product that was bought and all my emails to them have been polite and there is no reason at all for them not to reply.

Thats my 2 cents worth on the item without going into any design aspects that need improving for people not wanting to 360 degree virtual tours. I have given up on expecting any form of reply and after a quick google search on the product I wont be expecting any either. I have posted some general info (as comments) that I found… all of it points to a company with no customer service.