Eeep... what's this?

[dkyl]

First of all, I've only had the D700 for 2 months and its so far been awesome. All aspects of the camera has been beyond my expectations. Just wished I got it sooner.

Anyways.. was testing out some long exposure night scenes this evening and when I reviewed the photos, every one of them had this banding pattern.

Its always horizontal when the pic is in portrait orientation or vertical (as in the example above) when the pic is in landscape orientation.

Please tell me this is not the norm...I haven't had the chance to test it further but could it be my CF card or other factors.

It was shot at ISO 200, f8, 15 seconds with long exposure NR on.

 

[Mark den Hartog]

My guess is, if it is the CF card it would also happen with normal exposure.

I have never seen this and I do 8 min exposures all the time

 

[dkyl]

That's the weird thing. I've been shooting in all sorts of conditions without any problems including very bright light and dark conditions, with flash/without flash. So I doubt it's the CF card but I'll test that tomorrow with a different card.

I have to admit I've only gone to ISO 3200 max so far but even with a little push in post, I only get a slight banding problem in the deep shadows for high ISO shots only. And in those cases it has always been parallel to the long axis (ie. Horizontal if I'm shooting landscape). I can live with that cos pushing shadows at high iso is compromised anyways.
But this was iso 200 on a tripod.

Could it be the long exposure NR? It was shot in RAW btw. Straight conversion then 100% crop. No pushing of shadows in PP.

 

[Mark den Hartog]

Could it be the long exposure NR? I don't think so, but it could be. (i don't use NR)

I had a similar problem with my tv,.. one cable was not connected properly.
you never know with this stuff.

 

[Luke Kaven]

Is that a 100% crop? The biggest cause of a regular column-wise striated pattern like that is the failure of one of the column amplifiers. Your sensor module has 12 outboard column amplifiers on six outboard chips. When one of them goes bad, you get noise every so many columns. It is a repair and replace issue. It is almost certainly not your CF card.

 

[dkyl]

Doh...so probably a hardware fault then? But funnily it hasn't shown up til the long exposure shots last night.

Do you know of any samples showing the same thing I can compare to? Might be able to get to the bottom of what's triggering it.
Either way, going back to the shop to see if I can get a swap today.
Just when I'll be needing the camera tomorrow too.

 

[Luke Kaven]

The most recent episode I saw was this one, but I've seen several like it:

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1021&message=38037178

In every case I've followed, Nikon diagnosed a fault on the main sensor board and replaced it. I've never seen another cause for it.

If you can't exchange the camera, my recommendation for quickest service is to open a case with Nikon Repair right away and send them the NEF.

Doh...so probably a hardware fault then? But funnily it hasn't shown up til the long exposure shots last night.

Do you know of any samples showing the same thing I can compare to? Might be able to get to the bottom of what's triggering it.
Either way, going back to the shop to see if I can get a swap today.
Just when I'll be needing the camera tomorrow too.

 

[Luke Kaven]

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/forum/index.php?topic=42841.msg359022#msg359022

 

[dkyl]

Thanks Luke, that's of great help.

Although I would say that the bands on my sample are far more regular. It's more or less exactly as you've described it, as if every 'x'th column is defective.

This morning it's now on all shots. High or low ISO, short and long exposures.

It looks worse than last night. In fact when reviewing the shots I can see exactly the frame where it started to creep in then getting worse with subsequent shots.

Going to the shops now. Hope they replace it.

 

[RobG67]

Recent D700 owner here (still have my 2 x D200s), interested in what happens.

--
Rob.

Free advice, freely given. If you don't like it, I'll refund you twice the amount you paid me.

 

[dkyl]

Went to my local shop.
Great service btw: plug for Lee at Digidirect in Bondi Junction.

Unfortunately it seems like there's not a new D700 in sight in Aust. They said they would swap it except they don't expect new shipment to come in for awhile.
So its off to Nikon for service.

I almost decided to upgrade to a D3s except there's not stock of that either. sigh

Looks like its back to my trusty S5 for the shoot tomorrow.

 

[dkyl]

Sorry to dig up and old thread but I need some advice on this issue.

The original problem turned out to be a PC Board problem and was replaced.

I thought the problem was resolved and continued shooting without problems seemingly. (I have some flash problems but that's a separate issue I think).

I don't normally pixel peep so I didn't noticed anything at first but on close inspection when PP some files, I noticed a similar banding but less obvious.

Below is an 100% crop





After going through the rest of my files taken since the repair, its present but mostly hidden in detail, in all the files I have inspected.

To me its very obvious but unfortunately Nikon Service doesn't seem to agree with me though they've only run the camera through their computer analysis and has said visual inspection of the files are too subjective.

What does everyone think? Am I seeing things. I don't think I am and I'm really not willing to accept this is within specifications for a D700.

 

[frankb1]

It's quite obvious to me too.

I'd guess they tried to repair the board rather than replace it and didn't check the results.

 

[Spendthrift]

I had a very similar situation with a brand new D3s. I had banding very similar to the banding in your latest example. It only happened in 1/3 and 1/6 iso stops between iso 200 and 1600 (i.e. iso 250 320 etc.) I documented it quite well and sent it in to Nikon service along with post processed pictures that showed the difference between the shots effected and those not effected. 5 weeks later and several phone calls later (claimed to be waiting for parts from Japan) I received a brand new D3s. Problem solved.

Evan

 

[dkyl]

Hmm..though the repair invoice read replacement of board.

I wonder if the original faulty board could have damaged the sensor?

 

[dkyl]

Thanks Evan. That's encouraging to hear they replaced it.

I almost wished the problem occurred straight away so I could've got a replacement rather than go through this process. I'm rapidly loosing confidence in my particular camera thinking what else could go wrong and what if it happens outside of warranty period.

In my case, the banding occurs pretty much at all iso including base of 200. I don't shoot much high iso, 1600's pretty much as high as I'd like to go. But the presence of the banding even at base and other low/moderate settings is what's really unacceptable to me.