Im having a problem with my Nikon D60 DSLR?

The mirror has no effect on the picture as its moved out of the way before the sensor is exposed.

The way to test for sensor dirt is to use your widest angle lens (18mm in your case) and set the aperture to its smallest setting in Av mode, f22 is good. Point the camera at any bright blank subject you don't want any detail, the sky or even just a white screen on your computer. Shutter times will be long, but don't worry. You don't even need to worry about focus and you can waive your camera around. What you want is a bright flat field which will show every trace of dust which is on your sensor.

Look at the frame magnified either within the camera or better still load it onto your computer, what you will see are 'blobs' of dirt with soft edges.

To get rid of them I use Eclipse fluid and Sensor Swabs from this company.

http://www.photosol.com/

Their product are available worldwide. A 'how to' video is here;

http://www.photosol.com/video/sensorswab.html

Its scarry to do first time, just make sure your battery is fully charged.

Clean the sensor and run the test again, blowing with a Rocket blower won't remove some spots which seem 'glued' onto your sensor this method will. I routinely clean the sensors on all my DSLR's before any major shoot.

If necessary clean again with a new Sensor Swab, don't be tempted to use the old one as they are about £2.00 each, you'll just be putting the old dirt back.

Going to a camera shop doesn't guarantee they will do it better than you, usually the reverse, I've seen them use the same swab on loads of cameras and the guy doing it won't be any better qualified than you.

Chris

Most probably it's dust on the low pass filter (in front of the sensor). The dust reduction system in D60 does help but is not very perfect. Some dust still finds its way to the filter surface. Changing the lenses is the most common time when the dust gets in.

From the menu turn the sensor cleaner on manually and repeat it a couple of times, take a few pictures and see if the spots disappear. If they don't it's time for the cleaning. Give it to the Nikon service center for cleaning.

If you are strong at heart you can eaasily do the cleaning at home. Use a blower (not a blower brush) like the Giottos rocket blower and clean the chamber and the mirror. Keep the camera facing down during this. Then use the mirror up function for cleaning from the menu and gently blow the dust of the low pass filter (sensor). You may have to do it a couple of times. Use a new blower and don't touch any internals.

If the dust is stuck, then you have to do the wet cleaning. Recommended are 'sensor swabs' type 2 with E2 liquid (diluted methanol) for D60.

The d40x hasn't been made since December 2007. You should really think about the d40 or d60. Having owned both at some point (currently the d60, and d90) I've come to this conclusion. They are the same camera, if you strip the sensor. Having used both with the same lenses, I'd say that the AF is a tad faster with the d60, and the d40 wasn't as fast. The d40 has a base ISO of 200, so shooting outside in bright light isn't too fun. The d60 also seems to be built a small portion better than the d40, albiet not to the same level as my d90, let alone a d3. They are both AF compatible with only AF-S, and AF-I lenses. There is no screw drive. If that is important to you, buy a d80. The price has been going down on it lately, since being obsoleted by the d90. Bottom line, the d40 is what you want if you are on a very strict budget. It is more-or-less the exact same body. My advice would be to go to your local store that stocks them, and hold them, and try them for yourself.

I wouln't touch the sensor on your camera without knowing what to do. It could easily get damaged. I would go to a good camera store and ask a trained worker to show you how. If they don't know, don't just send it out to get cleaned....it's expensive and not needed. Just look somewhere else. I had the same problem.You can buy cleaner and when you know how it can be easy to clean.