Are these spots flare?

[defektive]

I have been playing around with my new (used) M8 and am regularly getting spots showing up in bright skies. It looks more like dust spots than flare to me but it happens in the same spot (in the sky to the right of the branches) on both the landscape and portrait versions of this image so it can't be dust, can it? The sun was high to my right. I accidently still had the camera set on ISO 640 from the evening before so could that be a factor? I had a uv filter on the front. It was shot with a Hexanon 50/2 and I can't remember if I had the hood extended or not.

Any informed opinions would be much appreciated.

 

[geotrupede]

Two dust spots, look into the field and you will see the same pattern.

 

[defektive]

Two dust spots, look into the field and you will see the same pattern.

I'm not questioning your judgement here but can you explain to me why the spots appear in the same part of the image on both shots when the camera has been moved from horizontal to vertical?

 

[user237428934]

Flare? Without sun or another direct light source? Not likely.

 

[250swb]

There are a lot of dust spots, it needs cleaning.

Steve

 

[hteasley]

Definitely dust.

 

[tlitody]

Birds.......

 

[LCT]

Same dust spots apparently. This sensor needs cleaning.

 

[defektive]

Ok, hint taken. I'll get out the scrubbing brush.🙁

Thanks for the replies.

 

[StenSture]

I would rather invest in a "Rocket blower", than use a brush...

 

[StenSture]

I would rather invest in a "Rocket blower" than use a brush...

 

[WPalank]

I would rather invest in a "Rocket blower" than use a brush...

Rocket Blower is probably the easiest solution if it were to work.
However, if it is oil from the shutter (or other source) then a wet clean with swab is one of your only solutions.
Do not use an aArctic Butterfly or such a device if you suspect oil as it will only smear and contaminate the brush.