Nikon provides instructions for flare-affected D750 owners

Still "Oops. We couldn't find the price for this product. Click here to search for this product on Amazon."

Jan 26, 2015permalink

(unknown member)

. . . and the beat goes on.
Nippon Kogaku KK . . . I am a happy camper with my 1960s vintage Nikop F and Nikkors thru 1976. Those were the product built like main battle tanks and as reliable as the Springfield M1 and the Mikhail Kalashnikov AK-47.

At least my D90 is up to the standards of the 1950s to 1970s Nippon Kogaku.

Jan 22, 2015permalink

As camera's (like autos) become more sophisticated, the likelihood of issues obviously increases. The capabilities of the modern DSLR are pretty incredible.

Jan 24, 2015permalink

Spankster

I was playing around on the Nikon website and found the serial number cutoff was #2018810 and lower are the cameras that are causing the problem. #2018811 was not affected.

Jan 22, 2015*permalink

john isaacs

My serial number starts with 3 and is affected. There is no serial number cutoff; there are groups of serial numbers that are affected and other groups that are not.

Jan 23, 2015permalink

I can confirm John's comment; my serial number starts with 300 and is affected.

Jan 24, 2015permalink

BrumNewsPhotos

I bought mine from Panamoz.com, contacted them today and they said to send it to Nikon UK and they would reimburse any invoiced fees (which is great). But it seems like it might not need it as I phoned Nikon (UK) who said it will be repaired for free anyway.

They have added me to the waiting list (could be about 2-3 weeks before the camera is accepted for return). But at least I know for the future that Panamoz will refund any repair invoice and it can be sent to either Nikon UK or any aurthorised repair shops more local to me.

Jan 22, 2015permalink

I tested some lenses: is it possible called "dark band" ?? I didn't see any flare but I noticed something. First I setup A mode and f/1.4 shoot subject then f/4 shoot same subject. I see strange f/1.4 dark and f/4 normal look good. so my Nikon 70-200 f/2.8 vr2 setup f/2.8 and f/5. f/2.8 dark f/5 normal. I wonder d750 open f/# problem? oh I see f/1.4 1/400 then f/4 1/500. don't make sense!!! is that dark problem?

Jan 22, 2015permalink

Clarify!

I assume the shutter speed decreases as the lens is stopped down.

Most lenses have vignetting when wide open, that's darkness in the corners.

And flare is NOT the problem.

It's possible that something is simply wrong with the metering on your particularly D750, can you compare metering in the same situations with a different DSLR?

Jan 22, 2015permalink

Yes that what I think of! I will test later today (after my work) I will shoot my D300 and D200 compare to D750.

Jan 22, 2015permalink

But neither the D300 or D200 is full framed so the vignetting will be very different.

The metering will be the same.

Jan 22, 2015permalink

WEll, I know D300/200 were DX so no matter D750 FX/DX I already test both FX/DX darkness Anyway I will see. no deal ha thanks anyway.

Jan 22, 2015permalink

Ok my D300 had same thing with D750 f/2.8 darkless. Ok for now my D750 seem fine with me. nothing wrong. but I will find out this weekend 3 games what happen. <smile>

Jan 22, 2015permalink

Ken:

You really mean "darkless"?

Jan 23, 2015permalink

webrunner5

Heh, I can see it now. Some Chinese site selling Black Dots for Nikon 750's for 99 cents on Ebay. What a crazy world we live in lol.

I can't spell today lol.

Jan 21, 2015*permalink

Simon97

Here are some black dots to get 'em going. OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Jan 21, 2015permalink

Because the existence of a black dot on the camera is the means of the cameras' repair. NOT.

Jan 21, 2015permalink

Why Nikon does not do as others for publishing the Faulty D750's SN#?

Jan 21, 2015*permalink

Spankster

Mike, I was playing around on the Nikon website and found the serial number cutoff is #2018810 and lower are the cameras that are causing the problem. #2018811 was not affected.

Jan 22, 2015permalink

Spankster, Thank you for the info.

Jan 24, 2015permalink

Charlie boots

If there are black dots in the tripod sockets then obviously Nikon knew about this before it was noticed by customers but they kept quiet until they had to do something. They should have been upfront and issued a notice and recall as soon as this was discovered. Once again Nikon does not inspire confidence in its new products. The result will be that people will hold off buying new products until the bugs have been ironed out.

Too many mistakes made in the past few years with high end expensive cameras without Nikon quickly taking responsibility.

Jan 21, 2015permalink

Um, I believe the point is Nikon puts the dot there after servicing the body, before it's sold.

And then also puts the dot there after servicing a body returned to Nikon by a consumer.

Jan 21, 2015*permalink

Yeah, the black dots are added following the fix. Obviously, the fix is done, or the problem avoided, on newer cameras prior to shipping.

@Charlie, buy a camera from a company who doesn't fix this kind of issue for free and you'll rethink your issue with Nikon.

If anyone thinks perfection is possible from any manufacturer, then sell your camera gear. You aren't going to be happy in this business. I have a dozen clapped out cameras from half a dozen different manufacturers in a box here.

Jan 21, 2015permalink

WillieG

Another Canon Fanboy trying to spread hate.

Feb 13, 2015permalink

Dave1:

Canon DSLRs have this problem too. Did you not get that point in the article?

Are you proposing Pentax instead?

Feb 13, 2015permalink

I've only had my camera 3 weeks. While I have not experienced any issues, off it goes tomorrow. Sucks that Nikon is only paying for ground shipping, which means over 2 weeks without my camera shipped from West Coast to NY.

Jan 21, 2015permalink

After a half hour on the phone with Nikon USA (waiting for a supervisor who never came on) and an online update to the issue that was posted on my account they emailed me a second day shipping label. All US repairs of this type are done in their New York facility They received my camera yesterday, so we'll see what the turnaround time is.

Jan 24, 2015permalink

Got my camera back after 2 weeks elapsed. Despite Nikon telling me all repairs were being done in NY, where I shipped it, it was returned from CA! All seems in order, and black dot present.

Feb 5, 2015permalink

I checked my serial number (2004727) and the site says it is affected, but I have run every test I can and have read/seen and am unable to replicate any banded flare (not even a little bit).

So the question would be, should I still send it in? My initial reaction is no, how do they fix something that isnt broken? As I understand it, the D600 had a shutter replacement, but it seems the D750 only needs an adjustment.

Jan 21, 2015*permalink

Up to you and your peace of mind.
Resale value is affected without the dot.
But that doesn't mean you (or anyone else) can't put the dot there yourself before selling it.

Jan 21, 2015permalink

Well if it is just an adjustment, then mine shouldnt need it, if it requires parts replacements then it would be better to send it in is my thinking.

I like this camera so I will probably just add it to my collection. Sold the D600, but have kept the D700, will probably keep this one also. Nothing particularly wrong with the D600 except the AF in low light is what makes it for me on the D750 (that and the D4 is just to cumbersome/intrusive).

Jan 21, 2015*permalink

Try testing with a different lens, shoot wide open. With some lenses effect is not visible.

Jan 21, 2015permalink

I'd suggest that you do have it checked out by Nikon anyway.

It won't cost you and there is no harm in having the "fix" black dot if selling. Though, I doubt that many people will remember to check for the dot when buying these secondhand a couple of years from now.

Jan 21, 2015permalink

jjlmoose

Don't waste your time and risk having your camera tossed around by a bunch of clowns at UPS... If you don't have a problem, why send it back? Enjoy it!

Jan 21, 2015permalink

I tried three lenses all wide open using the sun and artificial sources, couldnt replicate the issue.

Jan 21, 2015permalink

webrunner5

"I'd suggest that you do have it checked out by Nikon anyway.

I bet the people that will have enough money to buy one used WILL be smart enough to check for the repair. You are shooting yourself in the foot for not sending it in down the road.

Nikon's track record as of late is pretty bad. Anyone serious about buying a used one is in the know about each bodies problems.

Nikon needs to pick up the pace big time on the QC part. They may end up being # 3 or #4 if they keep this up. Sony, and Samsung, yes Samsung, are out to eat their lunch down the road.

Jan 25, 2015permalink

Funny, I jumped from Sony to Nikon because Sony kit screwed me. Sony hasnt got any money from me in over three years. Maybe if they bring out a mirroless A-mount, but Im not going to hold my breath.

Jan 26, 2015permalink

I read info about black dot and red arrow point to tripod socket also serial no. I checked my d750's socket, look inside look like silver to me. where or what was black dot from? meant black socket? my s/n was 301xxxxx I read comment below s/n say great than 302xxxxx hmmm am not sure! I bought it last month. Also I already test shoot bright lights dining room and sunny day new car shines... I didn't see any flare... hmmm but this weekend I will test college baseball practice games I will see what happen.

Jan 20, 2015permalink

http://www.imaging-resource.com/news/2014/12/24/nikon-d750-flare-problems-heres-why-and-what-to-do-about-them-its-not-lens

I think the point about the black dot is that Nikon will put one in the 1/4"-20 threaded tripod mount on bodies Nikon has serviced, including bodies that Nikon pulled from dealer stock before they were sold.

The problem is not simply flare. It is a band of contrast within the flare. (Many DSLRs have this problem, but with less contrast.)

Imaging Resource describes the problem, and how to create it here:

College basketball would not be a good testing ground.

Jan 21, 2015*permalink

AbrasiveReducer

Customers are so grumpy. This problem is random and only appears under very specific conditions. Unlike oily shutters, it's fixable. If you want to argue that Nikon would not have done anything prior to the D600 fiasco I agree, but they've learned their lesson.

Jan 20, 2015permalink

'This problem is random'
'only appears under very specific conditions'

Do you enjoy contradicting yourself?

Jan 21, 2015permalink

Wubslin

@fmian: Not nearly as much as you enjoy being pointlessly pedantic.

Jan 21, 2015permalink

newe

I hope it is not random...otherwise it will never be fixed.

Jan 21, 2015permalink

Xentinus

Nikon D750 Black Dot Edition!

Jan 20, 2015permalink

Myoung24

Is there a time limit on the return for repair?

Jan 20, 2015permalink

V Ahrlenz

I highly recommend the Nikon D750. Still.

Jan 20, 2015permalink

Me too. :-)

Jan 20, 2015permalink

B/C D750 uses SONY sensor?

Jan 20, 2015permalink

pkosewski

@ Mike FL
Because at the moment Nikon FX is the only system which gives access to Sony (or equivalent) sensors and a solid AF lens lineup.
And D750 offers possibly the best value in the FX lineup.

Jan 21, 2015permalink

pkosewski;

It seems not a bad deal as imported D750s are selling for less than $1200 in the USA market currently.

Jan 21, 2015*permalink

Mike FL:

You mean grey market, all D750s selling in the US were imported.

At the reputable camera stores in the US, the camera has been pulled and is still listed for basically list price, which is about $2300 for the body.

When some party offers a new item at 40% off what every reputable dealer is charging that is big red flag. Legitimate grey market imports would be in the neighborhood of 10% less--not 40%.

Jan 21, 2015permalink

How about RAW;

"big red flag"? More "FLARE" Plus "OIL LEAKING"?

Jan 21, 2015permalink

pkosewski

@ Mike FL
More like "a truck carried 1000 boxes, but 100 of them fell out on a tight turn and disappeared."

"Hey you worker! Throw these cameras away! They have broken shells!"
"Yes, Sir" ("You wish... a bit of glue and they'll be like new...")

Jan 21, 2015permalink

sandy b

Mike, you ever get tired of bashing Nikon? You have any idea how that makes you look? A programmed bot comes to mind, you're as predictable as snow in Duluth.

Jan 21, 2015permalink

sandy b;

"sandy b: Lives in United States Southern Minn, United States
Works as a tech writer".

Tell us sth we do not know about NIKON as you are a tech writer, You can do it.

If you did good job for Nikon, Nikon may offer you a part time job as a " tech writer" in busy season like NOW.

Jan 21, 2015*permalink

Mike FL:

Just since you don’t get the term:

“red flag”

means something that is obvious and visible, or known, well in advance.

Neither thing you mentioned would qualify as such.

And the stepped flare remains a minor flaw.

Jan 21, 2015*permalink

Peter England

So I have a D750 which is apparently affected by this defect. From what I can see my rights are to return the faulty equipment to store and have it replaced with a brand new one. Anyone else done this?

Jan 20, 2015permalink

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/54981286

YES.

Jan 20, 2015permalink

https://nikoneurope-de.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/63594

Sometimes a thoroughly checked over camera can be calibrated better on a technician's bench than one straight from the hands of those busy assembly line robots :)

Jan 21, 2015permalink

ealvarez

I just tried multiple number of entries of serial numbers and found

equal or greater than 8802634 are not affected

equal or greater than 3026254 are unaffected

I found Serial number beginning with 8XXXXXX are for cameras that being sold in asia and 3XXXXXX for USA and maybe Europe. I'm just guessing but

Try for yourself

Jan 20, 2015*permalink

wetsleet

is there supposed to be an "equal to or less than" in there somewhere?

Jan 20, 2015permalink

Timur Born

We've got 60xxxxx in Germany and mine is in the affected range. I just found the corresponding German support site at Nikon.de, but you can enter the serial number on the US site, too.

http://advisory.nikonrepair.eu/Language_Select_D750.aspx

You can send it in for free, but it's only half an hour drive away from me and I need other things checked, too. So I will visit them sometime soon or maybe I will have my camera replaced by the dealer (which legally is the better choice).

Jan 20, 2015*permalink

ealvarez

6034043 or greater are not affected in germany

Jan 21, 2015permalink

Timur Born

That being said, I get a lot more internal reflections with light from below than light from above. I will have it checked, but in practice am currently more worried about three different lenses being soft on the same side and the cursor controller on my D750 being somewhat badly placed.

Jan 21, 2015permalink

Just Ed

Seems to be limited to a particular segment of the production run which would indicate manufacturing rather than design problems.

Congrats to Nikon for recognizing the problem and being on top of the remedy.

Still like my Canon though.

Jan 20, 2015*permalink

senn_b

did Nikon have any other choice than to recognise the problem ?..

Jan 20, 2015*permalink

io_bg

Yes, they could keep denying it like they initially did with the D600 oil issue.

Jan 20, 2015permalink

senn_b

@io_bg
you're probably right .. :)

Jan 20, 2015*permalink

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/54981286

Take a look.

Jan 20, 2015permalink

capo99

Post is 4 weeks old!

Jan 20, 2015permalink

capo99;

"Post is 4 weeks old!"

"Yes, they could keep denying it like they initially did with the D600 oil issue."

Jan 20, 2015permalink

Nikon could have kept denying it. Actually, that is the norm, with the exception with cars or equipment where a specific flaw might cause injury.

Jan 21, 2015permalink

JRFlorendo

This is a SLAM DUNK class action law suit, an engineering flaw by Nikon engineers, can't get any easier than that. Nikon just needs to slow down, it seem like they are coming out with a new FF camera every six months, at that rate, something is bound to get neglected. Sony and Toshiba already providing you with top grade sensors, slooow down and get the engineering and quality control right.

Jan 20, 2015permalink

Do you say the same to Canon, since Canon has this same stepped flare issue in all current full framed Canon DSLRs?

You forgot a significant sensor supplier for Nikon DSLRs.

Jan 20, 2015permalink

zos xavius

No. Its not.

Jan 20, 2015permalink

jnd

I don't see any Canon users complaining about flare, where can I see the issue?

Jan 20, 2015permalink

Andy Crowe

Surely it would only have been class action lawsuit material if they weren't fixing the issue for free?

Jan 20, 2015permalink

jnd:

The issue is the stepped flare, not simply flare.

And the problem was well demonstrated with a variety of Canon and Nikon Full Framed DSLRs by Imaging Resource.

The contrast of the step is less with other SLRs, but it is still a ruined file.

Jan 20, 2015permalink

FujicaST605

seriously?

Jan 20, 2015permalink

rhlpetrus

You need to learn the facts, not an engineering flaw, and also present in many other models/brands.

Jan 20, 2015permalink

Imaging Resource samples quite specifically illustrate that a visible stepped flare exists only in D750 and 1Dx, from which D750 got by far clearest issue, unlike any other camera on a market.

Here's the link so everyone could compare on their own: http://www.imaging-resource.com/news/2014/12/24/nikon-d750-flare-problems-heres-why-and-what-to-do-about-them-its-not-lens

Don't get fooled by Nikon apologists.

Jan 20, 2015*permalink

Plastek,

Wrong, the IR examples demonstrate the stepped flare with the Canon 1DX, 6D, 5DIII, the Nikon D610, and D800E. (And of course the D750.)

You are absolutely wrong to make the claim you made.

Now, the second claim that it is a weaker contrast step in the other cameras, yes that is true, but those files with that step are still ruined.

Jan 20, 2015permalink

Nope, they are not, and no, it doesn't demonstrate that "Canon has this same stepped flare issue". You are the only person who sees any stepped flare issue in "all current full framed Canon DSLRs" and you don't even own Canon. I got Nikon camera myself, but I don't see a reason to be such an aggressive apologist as you are, posting the same mantra under nearly every single comment.

"If you repeat a lie often enough, people will believe it, and you will even come to believe it yourself." - you believe it yourself already, but hopefully people are not.

Jan 20, 2015permalink

Plasket,

You'd have to be blind to miss the stepped flare in all of those Canons+other Nikons.

Others in these comments acknowledge this problem for Canon too. Also IR points out the stepped flare, so much for your claims about me "only".

Instead of just posting, I suggest two things:

Look at the IR posts with a good monitor.

Read what Imaging Resource says.

Absolutely, you've lied repeatedly and expect it to be believed, because of this repetition. (Now I guess it really could be your monitor or eyesight, but not reading the IR post is inexcusable.)

Fully quoting IR on the Canon 5DIII's stepped flare:

"A bit of odd shadowing at the top, but only a hint of a straight line. A bit more flare from the bottom, and a clear band, near the very bottom of the frame."

I skipped the IR comment on the 6D because it mischaracterizes the location of the stepped flare; it's near 1/3 of the way up, not 2/3s.

Yep, that's the same thing you linked from IR, not a different IR post.

Jan 20, 2015*permalink

gskolenda

You know what you can do with your Class-Action Law Suit idea, yeah that's right! you guessed it! Are you a politician by any chance?

Jan 20, 2015permalink

Bangers and Mash

Unfortunately, they don't have the luxury of slowing their engineering department down. With such keen competition, who can do so. They are forced to get their cameras out in the market to stay competitive. I recall talking to an engineer a number of years ago from Konica. Its very clear, from what he said, that they have to get them out, and any issues, even those known about, will have to be dealt with later. So who is really at fault? I would say both the manufacturer and the consumer. How many here can't wait for the next latest and greatest addition. It seems that so very few are content these days with what they have, and its this, in part, that fuels the problem. If there wasn't such a high demand for, as I mentioned, the next latest and greatest, then the manufacturer could slow down and focus selling more of a product that has had the time to be produced properly and not rushed.

Jan 20, 2015permalink

Ken Phillips

Actually, there's little "damage" for folks to collect (as the issue isn't usually apparent) and the only folks that will benefit will be the shysters. So I'll assume that you are an attorney.

Jan 20, 2015permalink

Tom Hix

Just send your camera in to get it fixed.....sheesh.

Jan 20, 2015permalink

kdaphoto

Troll. Please don't feed it.

Jan 20, 2015permalink

Andy Crowe

Well looks like DPR have found similar flare on a Canon 1D X at least
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikon-d750/9

Jan 21, 2015permalink

Andy Crowe,

Um, DPR recreated a problem already well documented weeks ago by Imaging Resource, an IR article DPR links.

Jan 21, 2015permalink

bocajrs

Here's the full Nikon D750 advisory URL
http://www.nikonusa.com/en/Service-And-Support/Service-Advisories/i4xzkqns/Technical-Service-Advisory-for-Users-of-the-Nikon-D750.html

Jan 20, 2015permalink

"this is indicated by a black dot inside the tripod socket" - that's a very clever method of marking it. Good idea. :)

Jan 20, 2015permalink

No it's not.
Shoddy retailers who can't send cameras back to Nikon can just open the box and put the black mark there themselves.

Jan 21, 2015permalink

bocajrs

Shipping mine out today

Jan 20, 2015permalink

Cheezr

I remember you from the D600 fiasco, are you still happy with the Nikon brand?

Jan 20, 2015permalink

bocajrs

Hello - I got a full refund from Nikon on my D600 and now enjoying the D750 flare issue aside. I don't plan on switching brands for the foreseeable future.

Jan 20, 2015permalink

bocajrs, you sound like a photographer. I can tell, because photographers are practical people who just get stuff fixed or replaced when it gives trouble.

Enjoy your camera. It's a good one.

Jan 21, 2015permalink

Lassoni

Did nikon provide "instructions" for people displeased with D800 AF performance? Other than "you should upgrade"?

Jan 20, 2015permalink

Just another Canon shooter

Nope, just like Canon didn't with 5D mkII, Sony with A7r or Fuji with... well... pretty much everything.

Jan 20, 2015*permalink

My 5D2 has AF problems? Thanks for letting me know!

Jan 20, 2015permalink

Just another Canon shooter

"people displeased with AF performance"

Jan 20, 2015permalink

Yeah, especially those who never touched it.

Jan 20, 2015permalink

Lassoni

D800 not only had the left AF issue, but the AF of the camera was not in par with some of the other cameras of same category. There, better?

Jan 20, 2015permalink

pshummer

I got an used D800 from a pro photographer and I asked him about this left AF issue. He said his camera didn't have such a problem so I bought it from him. So far I haven't had any AF issue and my D800 AF is accurate. Like the D750 light flare issue, not all D800s seem to have the AF issue,I guess.

Jan 20, 2015*permalink

Dimitris Servis

But that's only Nikon US?

Jan 20, 2015permalink

Moon0326

Just checked my D750 on the website. It doesn't even say when I will get my camera back. That's nice.

Jan 20, 2015permalink

giarc

Exactly my issue... has anyone determined how long this is expected to take?

Jan 21, 2015permalink

Moon0326

It's a joke. I emailed Nikon and got the following reply.

"Yes it is an official statement that we do not have a set turn around time for the service advisory due to a lot of customers sending in their products to be evaluated along with the service advisory"

Jan 21, 2015*permalink

The length of time will vary depending on a lot of factors, volume of items for service, distance to the nearest service facility, couriers to stores, etc.

When they did the free service on the D810, it varied from hours for some people to weeks. I would expect that in all honesty.

Can you get your camera dealer to loan you a replacement body while you wait? Lots of photographers, myself included, availed of that option before.

Jan 21, 2015permalink

Moon0326

As a customer, I really should not care. It's Nikon's responsibility to figure out how those factors work out. If they don't have no idea how long it would take, they should offer a loaner camera as an option in the first place.

Jan 21, 2015permalink

ozturert

Nikon should have ordered a lot of black dots by now. They will need them for D760, D820, D620, D900, D5...

Jan 20, 2015permalink

Why? What's wrong with the D810? D4S? D610? And why would you think the'd be replaced by your proposed model numbers?

Then the "D760" it's a tired joke, and it's not likely to be a model Nikon releases.

Jan 20, 2015permalink

ozturert

Oh I know I know 1Dx has the same problem...
D760 is a serious joke which Nikon has already made before with D610, remember?

Jan 21, 2015permalink

ozturert:

No, the D610 is not the same.

Do you not apprehend the difference between a minor problem that affects few files from the bodies with the problem, a problem Nikon acknowledged, and a problem that affected every file in cameras suffering from oil in the wrong place?

So, yeah a really dumb old joke that many have already made.

You omitted the fact that the 6D and 5DIII also have this problem.

Jan 21, 2015permalink

ozturert

So you claim that Nikon withdrew ALL D750 stock from retailers for a "minor" problem...

Jan 22, 2015permalink

ozturert:

Yes.

Over reaction to the minor problem though would have major effect on sales. Then there's the not great example Nikon set with the D600's oil problems--a much more serious problem in the affected bodies.

The infrequent contrast band in flare is a minor problem for full framed Canikon DSLRs.

Jan 22, 2015permalink

Just a Photographer

Expect the D760 to be announced At CP+...

Jan 20, 2015*permalink

I'm sure there'll be some irritating but minor flaw with the D760 too, just as there has been with pretty much every camera I've ever owned; and I've had quite a few...

Jan 20, 2015permalink

Just a Photographer

I am happy to agree with that.

Its only that Nikon seems to top all other manufacturers lately in design flaws.

Jan 20, 2015permalink

Well, I think it's more of a quality control/manufacturing issue than a design flaw, but Nikon certainly seem to be making too many mistakes these days - more than they can afford to. (Although I wonder if they just get caught out more often than other manufacturers due to volume and level of scrutiny?) Whatever the case, I'm sure they could do better if they were minded to.

Jan 20, 2015permalink

Just a Photographer

Either way its not good for the brand and perceived brand value.

I have been a Nikon shooter myself for a long time.
Though I am really re-considering if I will ever going to upgrade my D4 and D800, or will sell off all of my Nikon gear and go to another brand.

There have just been too many problems with Nikon gear over the last few years. And yes it has made me cynical.

Jan 20, 2015*permalink

I know what you mean. Honestly, if Ricoh were to make a 50mm (equiv) GR to add to the 28, then I'm not sure I'd keep my D750...

Jan 20, 2015permalink

theprehistorian:

The Ricoh GR has an APSC sensor, and is not a strong challenger to the D750 for AF or high ISOs. A fine camera, but a completely different market.

And you still haven't dealt with the fact that Canon made the same stepped flare "mistake" with all current Canon DSLRs.

Jan 20, 2015permalink

rhlpetrus

@Just: selling your Nikon gear and going with another brand will only change the destination of your frustration, believe me. I have used Pentax, Leica, Samsung, Canon and mostly Nikon (and now a compact Leica again). I'd say Nikon does relatively well, maybe with the exception of the D600's dust/oil issue, that was really mismanaged. The way they have dealt with this latest case (750) shows they are have become much more attentive and responsive to problems in cameras.

Jan 20, 2015permalink

@HowaboutRAW - yes, I agree about the GR, but even so: a pair of GRs with 28 and 50mm equiv lenses would cover enough of my needs to make me wonder whether a DSLR is worth the bother. That being said, I really like the D750, and I bought it in full cognizance of the flare banding issue. As I said elsewhere, I would delete any image with significant flare in it anyway because I don't like it!

It's also certainly true that most/all DSLR bodies seem to produce flares due to reflections off a number of internal components. This whole issue doesn't really bother me, except to say that it's annoying that Nikon's quality control dropped the ball yet again. Personally, I'm more worried about the amount of sample variation in their lenses than this funny flare banding.

Jan 20, 2015permalink

theprehistorian,

Right lens sample variation could be more serious. I'm not real aware of Nikon's failures with that. But I'm sure willing to believe the problem exists.

Jan 20, 2015*permalink

Well, it seems to be a bit of an issue for all manufacturers at the moment... although I've generally been quite lucky. I've had to return very few lenses.

Jan 20, 2015permalink

HowAboutRaw: While it is correct that all DSLR's have a stepped flare issue, it's quite easy to see that the D750 issue is much more pronounced. It seems to be further into the frame and with greater contrast. This would indicate that their AF sensor is positioned differently to most other DSLR cameras.
If this issue is normal on all DSLR cameras, then it is abnormal on the D750.

Jan 21, 2015permalink

fmian:

The D750's flare is NOT further into the frame than that of the Canon 6D.

Any file with an example of this stepped flare in it is ruined. That is unless you have really really low image production quality standards. (And there sure seem to be a lot of pettifoggers here who don't care about image production--probably should avoid a digicam gear website.)

Don't bother to try further misdirection.

Jan 21, 2015*permalink

You're right actually. The position of the stepping is all over the place with various cameras. The thing is that it is SO much more pronounced on the D750 compared to the 6D that at first glance you would be forgiven for thinking the 6D didn't have it at all.
Have a look here
http://www.imaging-resource.com/news/2014/12/24/nikon-d750-flare-problems-heres-why-and-what-to-do-about-them-its-not-lens
And look under the 'How common is this, and do other cameras do it too?' heading. The first two samples are from D750 and 6D. In this example it's easily fixed in post on the 6D with a bit of dodging and burning. That's if you can even notice it. On the D750 you would have to crop that section of the frame out or do some pretty heavy post work.
In every one of those cameras compared the issue is MUCH more evident on the D750 and anyone with some post skills should be able to fix them without too much trouble.
Your statement about all shots with stepped flare being ruined is therefore not true

Jan 21, 2015permalink

I think fixing in post is a bit of stretch with the 6D, unless the flaw happens to line up perfectly with some horizontal architectural element, with a shadow.

Indeed with every other camera the contrast step is less extreme than with the D750, but the images are ruined.

Now, the ones where the step in the flare is at the top or bottom certainly may provide the opportunity to crop the step out.

I'm not one who believes in blurring out blemishes. That's how a lot of photos are wrecked.

Jan 21, 2015*permalink

sfpeter

My 750 is in the affected range, and after some trial and error I've been able to reproduce it. Use a wide open prime, in my case a 50mm f/1.4, in live view. Point a bright light source at the lens from high up and gradually move it down. At about a 45 degree angle, give or take 2-3 degrees, it will appear. You're basically pointing it right at the AF sensor.

How big this is depends on the type of shooting you do--and as been repeated ad nauseum, it's not flare but an internal reflection off the AF sensor, and in a very limited 2-3 degree range. The "dark band" would be completely black if something was blocking it.

If I shot video all the time and used flare this would be an issue, I'm not sure if this is important enough for me to bother--I haven't seen it any actual photos I've taken.

Jan 20, 2015*permalink

webrunner5

Yeah but if you decide to sell it, the person buying it might find it important to bother. That is the problem, re sale value without getting yours fixed by Nikon..

Jan 20, 2015permalink

rhlpetrus

Unless you are like me and, when updating, keep cameras as collecting items, I'd do it. It'll affect its resale value.

Jan 20, 2015permalink

dbenyakar

This is the advisory as published on Nikon Europe site:
https://nikoneurope-en.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/63592

Jan 20, 2015permalink