sensor issues - blown pixels ...

[markloch]

Just picked up an r-d1 (w/firmware upgrade), took a few shots, loaded them on my computer. Spotted bad pixels immediately. Attached is a test shot - dark background, 1600ASA, AE, Canon 50/1.4 (this was worst case - showed up @ 200ASA as well). Bummer. Real Big Bummer.

How common is this? What's the likelihood that I'll run into this with the next R-D1 I pick up? Makes me wary about buying another one, and wonder if I should hold out for an M8 or whatever Epson comes up with next. This one has a low S/N, if that matters. I can't imagine what it would cost to replace the sensor, nor how long it would take.

Any suggestions on what kind of test shot to ask for before purchasing the next one? Solid dark at 1600?

Mark

 

[markloch]

Hmmm, reading a few threads, this is common with R-D1. Not what I expected from such an expensive camera, 2006 or not.

 

[f16sunshine]

Relax 🙂
Most all digital cameras have dead pixels. Every one I have ever owned ends up with a few eventually. With the RD! you are lucky at least you can turn those off in the camera. Read through the manual and go through the dead pixel mapping menu function. It may be called something else but you 'll find what I'm writing about in the manual and on the internet).

 

[markloch]

RTFM is what I usually want to tell my customers when they do what I just did 😛

I see that the firmware update has hot pixel mapping; I suspect it hasn't been done on this early (#391) barely used example. As to all cameras having hot pixels, I am aware of that, but that they were so apparent with the first images I took was scary. I've had at least a dozen digital cameras since the 90's and this is by far the worst I've encountered.

Man, I'm relieved.

 

[Phil_F_NM]

Yeah, you're lucky. With the M8, the camera has to go back to Leica & they either remap the sensor or replace it altogether. No such firmware luck with Leica. Then again, Leica users must suffer for their loyalty and art.

Phil Forrest
(owner of an M8 and M9, the latter of which is having bad pixels removed right now...)

 

[Mr_Flibble]

It the mapping tool might not get all the dead/hot pixels in a single pass, so you might want to try again if it didn't work the first time.
And sometimes the broken pixels will only show up on particular ISO settings.

 

[markloch]

I ran in three or four times, then did exposures of various lengths at all the ASA setting with a cap on and all's clear. Phew.