Almost dead sensor?

[Kawabatnam]

Some of you know that I plan a trip to Kyoto soon (see Kyoto thread in this subforum); so I'm cleaning my gear, choosing which lens to bring, double-checking everything etc.
My main camera is a R-D1 and I bought a a R-D1s some time ago for a very good price as a backup body, thinking that this one would last a long time since not used often and probably being more recently made than the R-D1.
Well that's theory. Reality is that while checking the R-D1s I realised that after hundreds of fine pictures, it now produces pictures that displays in the center, a blue vertical line which length is almost half the heigth of the image (in landscape mode): very noticeable above ISO 200, and almost hidden depending on the type of picture at ISO 200. The sensor is clean, tested lenses are ok, so I guess it is clearly a thick line of dead pixels...
I have ran the pixel mapping function tens of times, but with no result so far; and of course the camera is not under warranty anymore.
I'm wondering what more could I do (sensor replacement is not an option)?

 

[noimmunity]

Sounds like a case of the blues.

My sincere sympathies for your plight. At least you still have the RD-1.

Unable to suggest any remedy to your problem, may I submit for your consideration a "Plan B" for your upcoming trip: try a film camera as a backup or pair with the RD-1. I have enjoyed this combo very much. A film body with M or LTM mount lenses makes the perfect companion to the RD-1 on a long trip (in places with easy transportation systems like Japan). Perhaps you already have one. It will be very easy to find all the film you want in Japan. If you are on a budget, or don't want to commit to film, a P&S like the Yashica T4 would add barely any extra weight. Fixed lens RFs can be had for very little money.

You might also take the chance and have a look at used camera equipment in Japan...You can find some marvellous things there.

Sorry I cannot be of any more help than this. Once again, my sincere sympathies for your problem with the RD-1s.

 

[RML]

Is this line visible in the RAW files, or in print as well?

If so, you might be able to create a mask(?) in PS that automagically gives these pixels a median colour between the colour of the pixels just above and just under them.

 

[Kawabatnam]

Thanks. For the picture already taken I've made an automatic script in photoshop. And yes, the row of dead pixels is visible in raw files as well. I wonder if this sensor is going to get worse and when? Anyone had a similar case?