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5D Mark III Weird Banding

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gcrimmins

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I recently purchased a used 5D mark III, and am noticing some weird banding at higher ISOs. You can see it in this image if you zoom in at look at the mascot's pants, or the black pants on the cheerleaders behind him. This seems to happen mainly at higher ISOs. It does not happen in all the frames, and it's in a different spot in each frame. I have a feeling it's time to send the camera to CPS for repair, but wanted to see if anyone here has ever seen anything like this and knows what's happening.

30c0a5cc5db84cb0a7bff7fdcdc3e523.jpg
 
I think that it's normal for older bodies and that lens isn't helping much, perhaps using a little flash and lowering the ISO would help the image.
 
Hello...

Not sure what you are seeing but I like this picture - thank you for sharing. :-)
gcrimmins said:
I recently purchased a used 5D mark III, and am noticing some weird banding at higher ISOs. You can see it in this image if you zoom in at look at the mascot's pants, or the black pants on the cheerleaders behind him. This seems to happen mainly at higher ISOs. It does not happen in all the frames, and it's in a different spot in each frame. I have a feeling it's time to send the camera to CPS for repair, but wanted to see if anyone here has ever seen anything like this and knows what's happening.

30c0a5cc5db84cb0a7bff7fdcdc3e523.jpg
Click to expand...


--
Sue Anne Rush
 
Zoom into it and you will see the banding from high ISO.
 
If Auto Lighting Optimizer is enabled, that will brighten an underexposed image in the camera which will often reveal the banding that this sensor is known for at high ISO.
 
CESA said:
Scott Larson said:
If Auto Lighting Optimizer is enabled, that will brighten an underexposed image in the camera which will often reveal the banding that this sensor is known for at high ISO.
Click to expand...
Only with auto lighting optimiser?
Click to expand...
You can brighten underexposed images on your computer too.
 
gcrimmins said:
I recently purchased a used 5D mark III, and am noticing some weird banding at higher ISOs. You can see it in this image if you zoom in at look at the mascot's pants, or the black pants on the cheerleaders behind him. This seems to happen mainly at higher ISOs. It does not happen in all the frames, and it's in a different spot in each frame. I have a feeling it's time to send the camera to CPS for repair, but wanted to see if anyone here has ever seen anything like this and knows what's happening.

30c0a5cc5db84cb0a7bff7fdcdc3e523.jpg
Click to expand...
Yes, there is a lot of banding, it does not seem normal ...

It should not be there if you compare it with this example:
https://www.dpreview.com/files/p/articles/1111600639/samples/phototest/lowlight/PT3C0248-ACR.jpeg

Jozef
 
I really appreciate everyone's input on this problem. Today I was able to upload a few images to the folks in the CPS technical department. They said that either the sensor is starting to fail or there is some sort of electromagnetic interference. Given that I've had the problem when in several different buildings, it looks like I'll need to send the camera in for repair.
 
I quite often noticed something similar with the 5DIII in situations where I lifted the shadows a good amount, as here ...



But when I used three bracketed shots for HDR, I got a much more acceptable result ...



One of the reasons I upgraded to the 5DIV is its dynamic range has been greatly improved, and I doubt whether the banding would have occurred with it.

You don't appear to have greatly lifted shadows in your example, so it's probably a different scenario. But I thought I'd share this anyway ...

--
www.grahammeale.info
 
Last edited:
Graham Meale said:
You don't appear to have greatly lifted shadows in your example, so it's probably a different scenario. But I thought I'd share this anyway ...
Click to expand...
If Auto Lighting Optimizer is enabled and the image is underexposed, the camera will brighten the image automatically which will raise the shadows. It was really important to get the exposure right with the 5D Mark II and Mark III.
 
Scott Larson said:
Graham Meale said:
You don't appear to have greatly lifted shadows in your example, so it's probably a different scenario. But I thought I'd share this anyway ...
Click to expand...
If Auto Lighting Optimizer is enabled and the image is underexposed, the camera will brighten the image automatically which will raise the shadows. It was really important to get the exposure right with the 5D Mark II and Mark III.
Click to expand...
Yes, I never use Auto Lighting Optimiser (I'm a raw person) and had forgotten it did that.
 
gcrimmins said:
I really appreciate everyone's input on this problem. Today I was able to upload a few images to the folks in the CPS technical department. They said that either the sensor is starting to fail or there is some sort of electromagnetic interference. Given that I've had the problem when in several different buildings, it looks like I'll need to send the camera in for repair.
Click to expand...
Similar to interference but how often does one get 100% horisontal lines with that... Broken camera is my guess.
 
Kameratrollet said:
Similar to interference but how often does one get 100% horisontal lines with that... Broken camera is my guess.
Click to expand...
My 5D Mark II can produce banding in shadows like this at ISO 500. It's not as bad as this of course but it's still there.

Like I said, the best way to produce this in camera is to underexpose and let the Light Optimizer brighten the image.
 
I've owned the 5D III and that lens also accessorily. You shouldn't see any banding in that case even at high iso. The only situation where I saw this banding is when I pull up shadows in post. Definitely needs to be checked. The banding is pretty much discernable on your entire image.

--
No perfect gear out there. Just be happy with what you have and go shoot.
 
Last edited:
Swerky said:
I've owned the 5D III and that lens also accessorily. You shouldn't see any banding in that case even at high iso. The only situation where I saw this banding is when I pull up shadows in post.
Click to expand...
Which is exactly what the Auto Lighting Optimizer does in camera if it's enabled and the image is underexposed.
 
Scott Larson said:
Swerky said:
I've owned the 5D III and that lens also accessorily. You shouldn't see any banding in that case even at high iso. The only situation where I saw this banding is when I pull up shadows in post.
Click to expand...
Which is exactly what the Auto Lighting Optimizer does in camera if it's enabled and the image is underexposed.
Click to expand...
Yep. ISO 12800, very old lens, old camera known for lack of detail in high iso shadows
 
Just to follow up on this, I sent the camera to Canon and they replaced a faulty printed circuit board for $413. Hopefully it will be as good as new when I get it back.
 
gcrimmins said:
Just to follow up on this, I sent the camera to Canon and they replaced a faulty printed circuit board for $413. Hopefully it will be as good as new when I get it back.
Click to expand...
wow, that is a lot of $$ for a PCB. it better be fixed real good when it comes back :-)
 
Canon repairs are priced in $200 increments these days. A simple repair is $200 and a slightly less simple repair is $400. I haven't had any repair less than $600 recently.
 
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