Help with new G9II issue - Part II

[jcr4486]

Hi,

Today I received my second G9 II body, after the returned one due to the purple issue.

just took it out of box, no setup at all, no firmware updates, no nothing...just fit in a card and battery, the flash on top and do the test scene on my white livingroom doors, same distance, same aperture, exposition and flash power and angle... and there they are again... now what ?

one time is bad luck, but two bodies with same issue ?

SN very different, old one was produced in November 2023, this new one in July 2024, both sold by Amazon

What now... how to proceed ?

yes, I can easily return...but what to do afterwards ? give up on G9 II ?

 

[AlaskaAce]

Looks like the flash is causing lens flair. I just took a photo with my G9 ll of white tile and no flash there was no purple flaring. But I'm now expert and smarter folks maybe can give you a better answer.

Jack

 

[Box Brownie]

IMO the common factor is not faulty gear but your test(?) procedure!

Perhaps if you explained what you are trying to achieve/test for by taking a flash picture of what looks like a close in (just how close were you?) surface that is semi reflective.

 

[Tom Caldwell]

The moderators have allowed plenty of slack to complain about this issue.

The OP is determined to keep the complaint rolling.

There is nothing that can be done by a dpreview thread and a continuator thread is not warranted. (IMHO)

--
Tom Caldwell

 

[lescrane]

you have uneven light, vignetting (normal w most m43 lenses) and a host of other issues here that anyone of us would get if we shot a "white" wall. I'd go out and use the camera in real life and make sure you don't have any gross issues.

 

[gwydionjhr]

Why would you not do any firmware updates? They do those to address issues like this.

I still think you're making a mountain out of a mole hill. I've shot tens of thousands of frames on my G9mkII, I've only seen the purple fringing thing one time, and it was an easy fix in post. Plus, I do suspect it's a firmware issue, not a defect in the sensor, maybe it'll get fixed in a future firmware update.

 

[jcr4486]

you have uneven light, vignetting (normal w most m43 lenses) and a host of other issues here that anyone of us would get if we shot a "white" wall. I'd go out and use the camera in real life and make sure you don't have any gross issues.

This issue has not started in my less than ideal "test scene" it started on real life outdoor photos of a trip with my new G9 II with a odd now and then purple issue being detected and I took some time to understand in what situation they happened, that drived me crazy for some days, and tried to replicate at home indoors with sucess for easier and faster way, like for example now with a new camera, and also to test other Panasonic cameras have, that, by the way do not show such the odd purple issue, just that.

Thank you for the suggestion anyway, but is just the opposite... the gross issues started "in the field" images.

 

[say_doyster]

What lens and flash? And what is the surface being photographed?

 

[jcr4486]

Why would you not do any firmware updates? They do those to address issues like this.

I still think you're making a mountain out of a mole hill. I've shot tens of thousands of frames on my G9mkII, I've only seen the purple fringing thing one time, and it was an easy fix in post. Plus, I do suspect it's a firmware issue, not a defect in the sensor, maybe it'll get fixed in a future firmware update.

I did the firmware updates (afterwards) on this camera and previous camera when received before going out with it.

I just wanted to test the camera before firmware update and before any settings tune-up to my taste, to ensure it was not related with those.

I too have shoot a few thousand shots already with the first G9 II and for sure have a plenty of shoots without the issue or barely noticeable, but on some the issue is there and very noticeable to me.

The problem is that the issue IS there. I will not accept to pay a such a price for a camera that have this kind of (unacceptable to me) gross odd issue... in fact even if the camera would have cost half of the price, with such purple issue random artifacts I would return it anyway.

I purchased the camera to have not only a bigger resolution, new better focus system, better iso sensibility, better dinamic range, live composite, bigger buffer, etc... but will not accept to have odd artifact like this randomly, or not so randomly as now I know when they happen, that is related with sun in the sky at certain positions for light angle...so I cannot use a new (supposed to be higher end) camera if sun is at a certain angle ?!? that is a big no to me, sorry, maybe for other is acceptable, I can accept that without a problem, just not to me.

Let me state that I am a longtime big supporter of the m43 system, have purchased at least 10 bodies and 19 lenses, and purchased the camera as a natural evolution of the system for the new functions, despite finding it a bit too expensive for the upgrade, but still dive in for it, as I stil believe in the system and it's advantages.

Initially requested help for the issue, now issue is identified and replicable, just not the rootcause of it... I believed to be a one isolated case and purchased a second unit after returning the first body, sadly the same issue is present on the new body, so I am scratching my head deciding on how to proceed from here...

I would love to see this fixed and if is simply done by a firmware update, even better, but I have to consider a few things:

a) I have a time window to return the camera, that I should not ignore...

b) I am not willling to be shooting with the camera with such issue present, so the camera would be staying put at home and I would be shooting with older G9. I had too many ruined images, it was "just" a family holiday this time and for sure many are just relaxed causal shoots, but still annoyes me, a lot... but I do a lot of other shoots with models that I am paying for... and events that are to be paid... (even if I do not live from this) so, cannot use a camera that I will not trust or that fear that will ruin images of those sessions.

c) I am not the kind of guy that purchased a camera and use a vanilly entry level lens (but nothing against who does it) , I invested in higher end lenses like Pana/Leica 42.5 f1.2 and several others, to have an edge of better quality images at a substantial extra cost... what is the sense to have a new camera (that costed a lot) where odd unwanted artifact are "added" in the images ? no sense at all, to me at least...

d) I am not willing to stay with the camera waiting for a FW to show up, without any warranty of solution in acceptable timeframe...

e) Typically camera prices go down over time... and I risk to lose money on the camera withou using it... not in the mood for that either...

 

[jcr4486]

What lens and flash? And what is the surface being photographed?

I believe that explained in the original post, happened with several lenses... and I shared example of at least 3 lenses, Pana/Leica 12-60 f2.8-4.0, Pana/Leica 8-18, Pana Leica 100-400, so it's not a lens issue.

on the outdoor original images where the issue was detected, no flash at all, shoot with natural light, flash only used at later stage to try to reproduce the issue indoors and confirm idea of the cause of why just on some images, (but not the rootcause of it) forcing the light to bounce on surfaces and enter the lens on specific angle to reach the sensor... Flash unit is a Godox V860IIo

surface... outdoor not exactly a surface... it is mainly noticeable in sky with clowds with sun at a certain angle... in this case of indoor test, surface is a satin/matte finish lacquered wood doors

 

[jcr4486]

IMO the common factor is not faulty gear but your test(?) procedure!

Perhaps if you explained what you are trying to achieve/test for by taking a flash picture of what looks like a close in (just how close were you?) surface that is semi reflective.

probably you did not go thru the initial story, all started win real life outdoor shots, in random shoots, the purple issue was showing up in sky with clouds, but many were OK, this "test scene" was just to force light to enter camera in certain angle and with a smooth surface where could be more evident to notice any purple issue to confirm an idea of the cause.

Note: some people asked already the same...so do not get me wrong in future, if I stop explaining this over and over...

 

[Box Brownie]

IMO the common factor is not faulty gear but your test(?) procedure!

Perhaps if you explained what you are trying to achieve/test for by taking a flash picture of what looks like a close in (just how close were you?) surface that is semi reflective.

probably you did not go thru the initial story, all started win real life outdoor shots, in random shoots, the purple issue was showing up in sky with clouds, but many were OK, this "test scene" was just to force light to enter camera in certain angle and with a smooth surface where could be more evident to notice any purple issue to confirm an idea of the cause.

Note: some people asked already the same...so do not get me wrong in future, if I stop explaining this over and over...

Having now seen your other replies, I take your point.

From a purchasing point of view if there is a reproducible problem that makes it for you unfit for purpose then it makes sense to reject it and get a refund.

However, and sorry if I missed it, have raised the question with Panasonic support and if so what has been their response?

I hope you can resolve it to your satisfaction.

 

[jcr4486]

IMO the common factor is not faulty gear but your test(?) procedure!

Perhaps if you explained what you are trying to achieve/test for by taking a flash picture of what looks like a close in (just how close were you?) surface that is semi reflective.

probably you did not go thru the initial story, all started win real life outdoor shots, in random shoots, the purple issue was showing up in sky with clouds, but many were OK, this "test scene" was just to force light to enter camera in certain angle and with a smooth surface where could be more evident to notice any purple issue to confirm an idea of the cause.

Note: some people asked already the same...so do not get me wrong in future, if I stop explaining this over and over...

Having now seen your other replies, I take your point.

From a purchasing point of view if there is a reproducible problem that makes it for you unfit for purpose then it makes sense to reject it and get a refund.

However, and sorry if I missed it, have raised the question with Panasonic support and if so what has been their response?

I hope you can resolve it to your satisfaction.

yes, issue was raised to Panasonic, files were shared and issue confirmed by the techincal team at later stage to not be expected to happen... A case was open for the issue and they suggested me to send back the camera in for further investigation... I considered such, but as no warranties were possible to assume, I opted to return to Amazon and refund for a more safe solution and getting another body.

Risk exist that camera could go and return more that a month later in same situation and after that I would not be able to retun it to Amazon and would be blocked with a "less than optimal" camera... so opted for the safer solution.

 

[yslee2]

Damn, right now I'm thinking:

1. You're really very unlucky
2. Something about the way you shoot causes this to happen
3. Something about the way you post processes highlights this

Have you talked to Panasonic again?

 

[yslee2]

The moderators have allowed plenty of slack to complain about this issue.

The OP is determined to keep the complaint rolling.

There is nothing that can be done by a dpreview thread and a continuator thread is not warranted. (IMHO)

Given it's a second camera, it's easier to track than a huge thread with outdated takes on the first camera.

 

[Will Rose]

What now... how to proceed ?

yes, I can easily return...but what to do afterwards ? give up on G9 II ?

I assume the image you posted was a straight out of camera JPEG with no processing whatsoever (like clarity +50) other than a crop/resize, is that correct??

I'll start by saying I have no horse in this race. It doesn’t matter to me what camera you use, nor should it matter to anyone else. No one should care what camera you love or hate, any more than they care about your favorite color. You came to the people here with a problem, and people tried to help as best they could.

Since you are asking what to do: you should abandon the G9.2, because you are never going to be happy with it.

There are a couple of possibilities as to what’s going on: you are fantastically unlucky and twice in a row got cameras with rare defects, or you got normal cameras but are reacting badly to characteristics that other people rarely see or aren’t especially troubled by.

Either way, your experience is very unusual.

Threads here can no longer help you. Only reporting, proving, and following up on the issue with Panasonic can POSSIBLY help you, and that will not be a fast process, if it bears fruit at all. Success is not at all certain.

And there is absolutely zero probability that Panasonic will implement a “fix” for the camera (assuming it there is a problem that can be fixed) before your return period for the camera is over.

So cut your losses and move on. Get an OM1 or a G9 or a GH7. If you want much higher resolution, go with Canon or Nikon or Sony. Get a camera that pleases you.

Lots of people love the G9.2 and think it’s an outstanding camera. They take great pictures with it.

But it does not satisfy you. You are repeatedly irritated by the output you produce with it. It is not the camera for you.

So move on. No one should stick with something that expensive that irritates them so.

Good luck…

 

[ahaslett]

Damn, right now I'm thinking:

1. You're really very unlucky
2. Something about the way you shoot causes this to happen
3. Something about the way you post processes highlights this

Have you talked to Panasonic again?

OP provided RAWs in the first thread and I processed them with the same outcome. The purple lines are there even with processor defaults.

Andrew

 

[yslee2]

OP provided RAWs in the first thread and I processed them with the same outcome. The purple lines are there even with processor defaults.

Andrew

Probably 1 or 2 then. It's so odd though, never seen this kind of issue before. Twice in a row, from quite possibly different batches of cameras.

 

[Cafe Racer]

you have uneven light, vignetting (normal w most m43 lenses) and a host of other issues here that anyone of us would get if we shot a "white" wall. I'd go out and use the camera in real life and make sure you don't have any gross issues.

This issue has not started in my less than ideal "test scene" it started on real life outdoor photos of a trip with my new G9 II

But that was with a different G9ii camera wasn't it?

Quote from your original post:

"Today I received my second G9 II body, after the returned one due to the purple issue."

"just took it out of box, no setup at all, no firmware updates, no nothing...just fit in a card and battery, the flash on top and do the test scene on my white livingroom doors, same distance, same aperture, exposition and flash power and angle... and there they are again... now what ?"

with a odd now and then purple issue being detected and I took some time to understand in what situation they happened, that drived me crazy for some days, and tried to replicate at home indoors with sucess for easier and faster way, like for example now with a new camera, and also to test other Panasonic cameras have, that, by the way do not show such the odd purple issue, just that.

Thank you for the suggestion anyway, but is just the opposite... the gross issues started "in the field" images.

 

[Cafe Racer]

What lens and flash? And what is the surface being photographed?

I believe that explained in the original post, happened with several lenses...and I shared example of at least 3 lenses, Pana/Leica 12-60 f2.8-4.0, Pana/Leica 8-18, Pana Leica 100-400, so it's not a lens issue.

No, that's not explained in your original post. You tested and explained the purple issue in a different thread about a different copy of the G9ii camera. Is that correct?

on the outdoor original images where the issue was detected,

So you should take outdoor photos with the new camera in order to see if you can detect the issue in the new images. If you have the same issue then return the camera for further investigation or a refund. I think that's the best course of action, otherwise what "help" are you looking for on this forum?

no flash at all, shoot with natural light, flash only used at later stage to try to reproduce the issue indoors and confirm idea of the cause of why just on some images, (but not the rootcause of it) forcing the light to bounce on surfaces and enter the lens on specific angle to reach the sensor... Flash unit is a Godox V860IIo

surface... outdoor not exactly a surface... it is mainly noticeable in sky with clowds with sun at a certain angle... in this case of indoor test, surface is a satin/matte finish lacquered wood doors