BetterPhoto Q&A
Category: New Answers

Hazy Pictures? - could it be from smoking

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September 11, 2008

First let me suggest you make a side-by-side test as subjective judgments can be misleading.

The Canon 20D, like all digital cameras, depend on a CMOS sensor pronounced 'see-moss' otherwise known complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor. This solid state device is the ‘goodie’ that replaces film.

It is the dream of the photo engineer to cause these sensors (film too) to mimic the human eye as to sensitivity to light. Sorry to report that both film and chip fail in this regard. In the case of the CMOS, a cover glass is used to protect the chip’s delicate surface. Now this cover glass is an ideal portico to cuddle a filter. Thus an IR filter is incorporated with the cover glass; this forces the chip to more closely mimic the human eye.

Knowing you friend was a heavy smoker rings an alarm. We can suspect that the cover glass and the lenses have been coated with cigarette smoke residue.

While this might prove bogus, consider yourself forewarned. Cleaning the cover glass is relatively simple, internal lens damage can be too costly to undertake.

Again; a side-by-side test should be preformed.

Alan Marcus (marginal technical gobbledygook)
alanmaxinemarcus@att.net

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September 12, 2008

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September 12, 2008