D700 Sensor Readout Error??

Did another condo shoot today and I did not realize, but 1/2 way thru the shoot, my D700 began recording files with vertical lines. They are 2 pixels wide, then 10 ok, then 2 again all the way across the files. The data is there but slightly magenta in color cast in the pixels that are "lines".

They are very hard to see even at 100% on the camera LCD, but HDR stacking in Photomatix and sharpening in Topaz shows the problem dramatically.

Is my D700 sensor fried ??

Bummer - I will have to re-shoot. This kind of camera failure has never happened to me in a paying situation.....

I tried shooting without a chip using JPG basic in "demo mode"...the lines are still there, so this is not a chip level problem...

Has this ever happened to anybody....?

Here is a file. It is a five shot bracket in Photmatix. The processing makes the lines more obvious than if you just look a a single exposure, but they are quite obvious even then

It is possible it is RF interference (i.e. a cell phone right near the camera, an FM radio station nearby, etc). I have had similar happen on a different camera, but they weren't perfectly straight like that, it was more like a moire pattern.

Eric
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i think i remember another poster having similar issues. From what I remember it turned out that the memory card was at fault.

Thanks for the replies....

I tried a few snaps in no card "demo mode" and the camera is still producing the lines....

Can't see how its an RF problem - produced the lines in several different rooms during the shoot - with and without flash .... as well as across town after the shoot.....

On another forum someone mentions heat damage from live view - I was using live view quite a bit, but I thought the D700/300 had a heat protection circuit....?

Try a two button reset, a menu reset, then push out A and B firmware - even if you are already at the current firmware versions. If this is a software issue, it may fix something. If it is a hardware issue, I wish you the best and a contemporary warranty.

Hold down the Qual button and the + - button for two seconds. This will wipe some of your settings, so be prepared for the repercussions.

Select reset from the shooting menu, and repeat in the custom setting menu. It's the second option in each. Same cautions as above.

At this point, if it existed, I would do a hard reset. D700 owners aren't so lucky. I thought it was the recessed button next to the serial number. There are several references about being able to reset the camera via the 10 pin connector. I have not done this myself, but it may be a lead or you to follow.

A/B firmware 1.02 is available at the following link:

http://support.nikonusa.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/16657/~/d700-firmware%3A-a%2Fb-1.02

Push these to your camera as per the instructions provided at the link. I suspect that non-volatile memory will be cleared after the updates.

I wish you the best with this unique problem.

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Fred: see my thread.
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1021&message=38423195

If it turns out to be the same problem, it's a hardware fix.
But I'm still having issues after the pcboard replacement.

It'd be interesting to know your serial number. I wonder if it's a batch problem.

Funny you mentioned live view. My problem first occurred when I was using live view in some shots too.

thanks

I did try the green x 2 reset..... no effect....still FUBAR

I will try the firmware push....I thought of that too...just ran out of time to try last night

Fred

Looks like exactly the same condition - what did Nikon say?

Thanks for the link - what did you have to do - still having the problem after service ??

Did they give you a repair order number ?

Could I reference that in my communication with Nikon ?

thanks Fred

look in the mid-tones for the defect.... this is the middle shot of a 9 frame bracket, converted to JPG in Camera Raw, no corrections

ah! I can see all my questions answered in the linked thread - thanks

Fred

Hi Fred,

Didn't really need to say anything. I brought it back to the shop I bought it from who sent it in to Nikon Australia. I'm in Sydney, Australia btw.

They fixed it, sent it back and I got a repairs invoice stating the PC board (if my memory serves me correctly) was replaced.

All sorted, so I thought. Well I can still see the bands but far less obvious now and its taken me several months to notice it because I rarely pixel peep. And when I do, its usually checking focus (usually on the eyes) and with my current problem, you can't see it when there's a lot of detail. Its noticeable in areas like the sky or smooth bokeh backgrounds and adjusting exposure brings it out clearly.

In my original problem, it was like yours. ie. blatantly obvious everywhere. Its not just in the mid-tones. Look carefully and it runs consistently through your entire image.

Don't worry, it should be a simple fix.

If you follow through my thread, some posters gave pretty good explanations. Seems like one of the column amplifier's died so the board that the sensor sits on needs to be replaced.

But just check it when you do get it back from Nikon to make sure the problem is indeed completely fixed, unlike my situation. I'm still trying to figure out what's going on with mine currently.

Sure you can reference mine if you want to. Just show them this thread I guess but I doubt its necessary. They should instantly recognise the problem.

Can you do me a favour and read my last message in my thread and tell me if you see the bands in my latest samples.

thanks for your reply(s)....

yours was repaired under warrantee?, mine will likely not be - I bought my D700 used from my LCS last March - so I am SOL I think.... but I will go back to them and see if they can pull a "nifty" for me - I have bought thousands of $$s of stuff from them....

thanks for your help....

rather disconcerting that a "repair" (yours) could be partial ..... that's not good at all...

Fred

here is another file from yesterday (camera still doing exactly the same this morning) I went back to some shots from the last few weeks and it is just not there at all.

Yesterday I can see that it started right after one 9 frame bracketed sequence, all at once. I was using LV extensively for about 45 minutes proceeding, and the camera gets slightly warm in this circumstance (I think writing 9 frame NEFs "exercises" the circuitry as well). I also tend to have my meter basically on, (using the 10 minute setting) so I can shoot a sequence and then EV comp my way to a "centered" bracket set if necessary. So this is about as much current drain as can be thunk up really, maybe if I was using the flash that would really cause smoke, but I would expect the camera to be able to do it, that's what we paid for - no ?

thanks again for your help....

(full rez) - middle frame from a 9 frame bracket (14-24 2.8) NEF to JPG via ACR, no adjustments - Auto WB

http://www.flickr.com/photos/fredmueller/6143262189/sizes/o/in/photostream/

I had this pattern noise show on my D700, but it was very subtle to begin with.

It showed mostly in intermediate ISO settings, and they were about 12pixels apart.

My D700 was fortunately under warrantee, and eventually got the camera re-calibrated by Nikon.

This reduced the problem, but didn't fix it. They eventually replaced the DG-PCB, even though Nikon denied there was a problem because the technicians failed to see the obvious.

This fixed my problem at all ISO settings except L1 and 200 for reasons I cant explain.

Eventually, Nikon called me to say that a loan camera was under way to me, and that they think its best to replace my sensor as well. I was in shock, since this kind of service from Nikon South Africa was unheard of.

Anyways, my point is, and based off the other threads I've read, I think one needs to replace not just the DG-PCB board, but also the sensor.

I hope you come right.