White spots in Z1 flash pictures

Has anyone else experienced white spots in Z1 flash pictures. These seem to occur randomly in pictures taken in large relatively dark areas like gyms where the flash has to fire a fairly powerful burst. It seems to make no difference whether there are bright lights in the frame or not and non-flash pictures don't seem to suffer. This is my second Z1 (I returned the first because of the spots) and although this camera has a less severe spotting problem, it has a lense problem. Many pictures taken with this second camera are somewhat blurred in the right half of the frame. Minolta hasn't exactly bent over backwards to help either promising they will look at my camera and try to get it back within 6 weeks or so. Looks like a double whammy to me - crappy products backed up by crappy service!

Am I the only one have Z1 problems?

James

Hi James,

Can you send some sample pics t/with exif info?

Let the MJPEG see what it is!

MJPEG stands for "Minolta Joint Photographers Expert Group". LOLOL

Two Z1s in a row, huh?

Cheers, Feri

'I can look at a fine photograph and sometimes I can hear music. Ansel Adams.'

I suspect it's "mini lens-flare" (my new term) or some dust in the air that gets a blast of bright light. I get it on my Olympus cameras from time to time too. When I see it in instant review and look around the actual scene, I can often see a reflective surface over to the side that could have caused some flash-back and these mini-flares.

For example: the metal post that holds up the glass in a hockey rink was out of my photo but was catching some of my flash and sending it sideways to my lens. Maybe it highlighted any dust on the front of my lens?

I do wonder why I didn't ever see it on film, with flash shots. Perhaps it's something to do with how the CCD deals with spots of bright light.

It is annoying! Adjusting your shooting, or using a lens-flare shield should help.

Regarding the Z1: I've not used it more than just in the camera store. Despite its potential performance, I was very unimpressed by the clunkiness and cheap feel of it. I'm not surprised that you've had dependability problems.

Barry

jscudder said:

Has anyone else experienced white spots in Z1 flash pictures.

Click to expand...

So far at least I have not; though a few things worth noting;

I normally am using an exterior flash rather than the built-in one, perhaps that makes a difference? Also, I'm not saying you don't but I'm pretty careful to keep the lens clean.

However, I normally don't take a whole lot of flash pictures so perhaps I just haven't encountered it yet.

And for what it's worth (to the other poster) granted, the Z1 doesn't feel as solid as some other cameras, but for me at least I've not had any problems.
--
Bob

Tuesday's coming, did you bring your coat?
I live in a giant bucket.

http://minoltaman.fotopic.net

Barry Stewart said:

I do wonder why I didn't ever see it on film, with flash shots.
Perhaps it's something to do with how the CCD deals with spots of
bright light.

Click to expand...

I would like to see an example. Never saw this problem before. It might be dust (similar to taking flash pictures in rain or snow).

Barry Stewart said:

Regarding the Z1: I've not used it more than just in the camera
store. Despite its potential performance, I was very unimpressed by
the clunkiness and cheap feel of it. I'm not surprised that you've
had dependability problems.

Click to expand...

I think that is just an impression. Never had any problem with my Z1 although I use it daily.However I would advise everybody with a Z1 to get the ZCA-100 lens adapter with a UV or clear filter (for about $20 together). The adapter really turns it into a solid camera. Minolta should put this lens adapter standard in the Z1 package!

Steven

Hi,

James has sent two of his samples to by e-mail directly, so after downsizing for the web (800x600), here they are:





Please note that the two images were taken on the same day with approx. 5 hours difference (according to exif) and the white spots are at different locations on each pic.

My thoughts:

1. Stain on the lens, or

2. Lens flare due to some very bright light that is beyond the frame of eachimage.

Anyone?

Cheers, Feri

'I can look at a fine photograph and sometimes I can hear music. Ansel Adams.'

Please search for my posts on the Sony forum for the identical thing for my T1 Sony.

it is entirely due to dust particles with the flash shining on it and the light reflecting back to the lens. this is particularly noticeable when the flash is very close to the lens, similar to red eye situations.

just experiment with a dusty piece of cloth and "puff" it up in front of the camera before you take a picture with a dark background. you'll see plenty of these round white spots.

Ferenc MOGOR said:

Hi,

James has sent two of his samples to by e-mail directly, so after
downsizing for the web (800x600), here they are:





Please note that the two images were taken on the same day with
approx. 5 hours difference (according to exif) and the white spots
are at different locations on each pic.

My thoughts:

1. Stain on the lens, or
2. Lens flare due to some very bright light that is beyond the
frame of eachimage.

Anyone?

Cheers, Feri

'I can look at a fine photograph and sometimes I can hear music.
Ansel Adams.'

Click to expand...

I agree with the dust spots theory on the second pic — but the first looks a lot like a lens flare from some bright relection or other light source in the area of the basket or ceiling. If you look closely, you can see the shape of the 5? blades of the iris — and a third flare is just showing on th top left.

As well... could there be some dead pixels? Clean the lens, then shoot a dark object and see if the small spots always show up in the same place. Try with and without flash.

I have exactly the same results , large flared-out circles, with some shots of a car body shop.. I re-shot later in the day, after the mechanical sanders had been put away , no flared -out circles. its definately dust. The second shot , though, has me guessing... not surre what causes that.

Barry Stewart said:

I agree with the dust spots theory on the second pic — but the
first looks a lot like a lens flare from some bright relection or
other light source in the area of the basket or ceiling. If you
look closely, you can see the shape of the 5? blades of the iris —
and a third flare is just showing on th top left.

As well... could there be some dead pixels? Clean the lens, then
shoot a dark object and see if the small spots always show up in
the same place. Try with and without flash.

Click to expand...

Hi Guys,

Can we agree to reassure James that there is nothing wrong with his camera?

Anyone?

Cheers, Feri

'I can look at a fine photograph and sometimes I can hear music. Ansel Adams.'

Ferenc MOGOR said:

Hi Guys,

Can we agree to reassure James that there is nothing wrong with his
camera?

Click to expand...

Yep!

Barry

I actually had similar problems with a Sony U20 I had for a while. It seemed to happen frequently although not all the time. Several U series users actually noticed this. I returned this camera and bought a Minolta X20. It has happened with the X20 too but far less so.

I figured it was a small camera thing, but it seems to be the same thing you are experiencing.

I haven't seen it in the pics I've taken with the Z1, S45 or C750 though.

At the time no one could figure it out. Maybe they do now. Check the Sony forum since I now it was a topic there before.

another with every digicam I've had. Canon, Nikon, and Minolta they've all exhibited it at one time or another. I don't think it's ralated to any brand or model.

vincentnyc said:

it is entirely due to dust particles with the flash shining on it
and the light reflecting back to the lens. this is particularly
noticeable when the flash is very close to the lens, similar to red
eye situations.

just experiment with a dusty piece of cloth and "puff" it up in
front of the camera before you take a picture with a dark
background. you'll see plenty of these round white spots.

Ferenc MOGOR said:

Hi,

James has sent two of his samples to by e-mail directly, so after
downsizing for the web (800x600), here they are:





Please note that the two images were taken on the same day with
approx. 5 hours difference (according to exif) and the white spots
are at different locations on each pic.

My thoughts:

1. Stain on the lens, or
2. Lens flare due to some very bright light that is beyond the
frame of eachimage.

Anyone?

Cheers, Feri

'I can look at a fine photograph and sometimes I can hear music.
Ansel Adams.'

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

nt

al lopez said:

I actually had similar problems with a Sony U20 I had for a while.
It seemed to happen frequently although not all the time. Several U
series users actually noticed this. I returned this camera and
bought a Minolta X20. It has happened with the X20 too but far
less so.

I figured it was a small camera thing, but it seems to be the same
thing you are experiencing.

I haven't seen it in the pics I've taken with the Z1, S45 or C750
though.

At the time no one could figure it out. Maybe they do now. Check
the Sony forum since I now it was a topic there before.

Click to expand...