What should I do?

[ivierre]

I just got a R-d1 today and after a few test shots, I found that there are some bad pixels, not sure if its hot or dead, appeared when I shoot in an all dark environment. (with lense and lense cover on). It looks like the following pics.

I heard that its common for R-d1 to have bad pixels problem and I read it somewhere that if I upgrade the firmware to the lastest version, I can get rid of the bad pixels with the pixel mapping function.

I wonder how well does the pixel mapping function work? Or should I just return and try to get another one? I am a bit worry if I upgrade the firmware, the shop would not exchange another for me. However, if this is a very common problem, and i will get this problem after an exchange, I guess it will be a waste of time to send it back to the shop just to get another r-d1 with similar problems?

Also, my R-d1 seems not focusing very accurate. Is it also a common problem? Should i exchange another? or just take it to the CS? I read it here that some owners just find a camera repairmen close by. About how much will it cost?

Sorry I dont really know how to post pictures up here. If its too small, the pics are also available here:
http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2157895710060621401gsdGlU


Thank you very much

 

[yanidel]

Your issue seems similar to many of us. My RD1 gives similar results but it is no issue to me as :
- the hot pixel correction functions works pretty well.
- hot pixels will happen anyway at 1600 but software like Lightroom 2.0 take care of it easily.
I do not think returning your camera would solve the problem.

The focusing problem is more of a bump. The finder might have been knocked off during transport. Either you return it for adjustment, you adjust it yourself (see www.richcutler.co.uk to see how) or you find a local shop to do it for you (if they know how to). It is pretty easy for a good camera technician to fix so should not cost too much.

 

[ivierre]

thank you very much for the reply.

I usually got over 20 hot pixel (including white, green and red) and it appears even when shooting with ISO200.

When focusing, the two shadows seems doesnt align very well vertically, is it also a common known problem?

 

[cam]

When focusing, the two shadows seems doesnt align very well vertically, is it also a common known problem?

this is common, i don't think there's anything wrong with your camera... on most rangefinders, it's much easier to align the shadows horizontally (getting your focus in that position) and then twist the camera vertically.

regarding your pixel problem -- are you shooting RAW or JPEG or both?

 

[ivierre]

ahh ... I am new to Rangefinders and thanks for the tip!

I was just shooting Jpeg....should I try Raw also?

 

[ivierre]

its not fosucing that well plus it has quite a bit of hot pixel problem. Normally I would love to get it replaced with a new one since its not a good feeling to buy a camera with problems...but the problem is that even if i get a replacement, it is not guranteed that it will work better.

I really want to upgrade it to version 2.0 to try to map the pixel. However, if I upgrade it to 2.0, there will be a good chance that the store will take it back. So it really depends on how well the pixel mapping works. From the reply and some old posts, it seems working well...

 

[ivierre]

again thank you very much for all the replies!