Canon 5D Mark II: Black mark to Canon for black spot
It happens. Products are launched and the faults are not found until afterwards. Canon has launched its new 5DMark II camera. In some circumstances, some lights, white dots become black dots and the resulting image looks as though it has been covered in carbon dust.
According to a press release from Canon, the black dot phenomenon can occur while shooting night scenes, and appear on the right side of point light. Apparently, the dots aren’t as noticeable in snapshots, but become very pronounced as images are either enlarged on a monitor or, when enlargement prints are made.
The camera also has problems with vertical banding when images are taken in the camera’s sRAW1 mode, which compresses file sizes compared to regular RAW mode.
Compliments to Canon for admitting there is a problem early on and working to fix it.
Firmware fixes can be downloaded and installed.
And you probably can cope with some of the problems by using techniques suggested by Canon.
The best bet is that there is a bug in the software. But the 5DMark II costs serious money — as in $2,500.
Canon’s official notification reads as follows:
To Owners of the EOS 5D Mark II Digital SLR Camera
Thank you for using Canon products.
We have learned that some users of the Canon EOS 5D Mark II digital SLR camera have identified two types of image quality phenomena that appear under certain shooting conditions.
1. “Black dot” phenomenon (the right side of point light sources becomes black)
2. Vertical banding noise
We are currently investigating and analysing the causes, and examining measures to reduce or eliminate these phenomena by providing correction firmware. An announcement will be made on www.canon-europe.com as soon as measures have been determined.
Details of the phenomena and shooting conditions under which they are likely to occur are as follows.
1. “Black dot” phenomenon (the right side of point light sources becomes black)
When shooting night scenes, the right side of point light sources (such as lights from building windows) may become black. The phenomenon may become visible if the images are enlarged to 100% or above on a monitor or if extremely large prints of the images are made.
2. Vertical banding noise
If the recording format is set to sRAW1, vertical banding noise may become visible depending on the camera settings, subject, and background.
* Vertical banding noise is not noticeable if the recording format is set to sRAW2.
* Vertical banding noise does not occur if the recording format is set to RAW or JPEG.
* Noise can be reduced if C.Fn II-3: Highlight tone priority is set to 0: Disable.
Canon apologizes for any inconvenience caused and thanks photographers for their patience.
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