Something growing on my Mk II sensor!

[Belmondo]

Today is the first time I've really had a chance to use the Mk II since returning from our trip a week ago. I noticed what initially appeared to be a big dust bunny on today's images. I gave the sensor a quick 'puff' with my little rocket blower and I could see that what was showing up on the images was not dust at all, but apparently something much larger and permanent looking. It actually looks like a liquid of some sort got on the sensor, although I know that could not be the case. I then went back and looked at some of the shots from the trip, and I can actually pinpoint the day that it showed up----almost the exact shot. What's really unusual is that the 'blob' is getting worse, at least to the extent that it's affecting the images. In the shots where it first showed up, it was barely discernable. Today, it is much more evident.

This is a picture taken today. The little black dot in the middle of it is new today---it was not in any of the shots taken on vacation.

http://www.bytephoto.com/photopost/data/500/353Sensor-med.jpg


I'm still too much a chicken to try to clean the sensor myself, especially on a $4,500 camera with about 400 shots on it. Looks like I'll be taking a drive to Irvine.

[CyberDyneSystems]

:shock: :? :(

Weird?

[blinking8s]

NOT COOL :shock:

[Zeke]

Be afraid. Be very afraid. :shock:

[IanD]

That is wierd. I think you are doing the right thing by heading over to the Canon Service Centre.

[defordphoto]

Sensor fungus.

[scottbergerphoto]

:( . Get Well Soon!
Regards,
Scott

[CoolToolGuy]

It's a Cicada smudge - I have them all over the front of my car. :roll:

Oops, I forgot - you are in the desert, where they hate to hang out. No, wait a minute, didn't you say it happened on your cross-country trip? Maybe we are onto something. :roll: :) :D :lol:

Have Fun,

[J. Cobble]

looks like some kind of venereal disease :lol: :lol:

[Belmondo]

I doubt very seriously it has a social disease. I feel I can vouch for the behavior of my camera at all times since I've owned it, although there is a period of time between its manufacture and when it came into my possession that I can't absolutely swear to.

It could be a cicada, I suppose. They are all over the front of the truck from our recent cross-country trip (as well as lots of other unfortunate critters that tried to assert their rights-of-way.) The only thing is, I rarely travel with the camera on the hood of the car, the lens off, and the mirror locked up.

The more I think about this situation, the less sense it makes. When I look at the sensor under bright light, this looks like a wet-spot that has dried. How the liquid could have gotten there is anyone's guess --- I haven't done a sensor cleaning or done any shooting with the mirror locked up, so the material must be self-generating, or as I’ve already opined, it’s growing there. If it is some kind of fungus or something, the next question is: Is it on the surface or between the sensor and the Low-Pass filter? The latter thought is the scariest of all because that would require disassembly to cure.

Oh, woe is me.

[CoolToolGuy]

Keep in mind the forum member that had a similar issue and waited several months to take it to Canon. That thread was within the last month, as I recall. I would try to keep Canon on the warranty trail, 'cause I'm sure you don't want to have to shell out for this repair.

But - you didn't have the camera on the same seat in the truck that the 100-400 launched from, did you :?: :shock: Maybe your vehicle is out to get you :!: :lol:

Have Fun,

[Tom W]

I doubt very seriously it has a social disease. I feel I can vouch for the behavior of my camera at all times since I've owned it, although there is a period of time between its manufacture and when it came into my possession that I can't absolutely swear to.[

Did it feel "new" when you shot with it for the first time? ;)

It could be a cicada, I suppose. They are all over the front of the truck from our recent cross-country trip (as well as lots of other unfortunate critters that tried to assert their rights-of-way.) The only thing is, I rarely travel with the camera on the hood of the car, the lens off, and the mirror locked up.

I'm probably the only person in the contiguous 48 states that hasn't knowingly seen a cicada.

The more I think about this situation, the less sense it makes. When I look at the sensor under bright light, this looks like a wet-spot that has dried. How the liquid could have gotten there is anyone's guess --- I haven't done a sensor cleaning or done any shooting with the mirror locked up, so the material must be self-generating, or as I’ve already opined, it’s growing there. If it is some kind of fungus or something, the next question is: Is it on the surface or between the sensor and the Low-Pass filter? The latter thought is the scariest of all because that would require disassembly to cure.

Oh, woe is me.

No, woe is Canon. They get to clean it up for you under warranty. Did you give it a quick dusting with the rocket blower?

[Belmondo]

The rocket blaster was the first thing tried.

The camera was definitely brand-new, and I'm sure the sensor was clean at the time. The 'blob' didn't show up until just a couple weeks ago according to the files where you can first see it.

I think we'll motor down to Irvine this afternoon and have a 'discussion' with them. They won't commit over the phone to cleaning it while I wait, but I have a feeling my chances will be a lot better if I'm standing there.

[Tom W]

The rocket blaster was the first thing tried.

The camera was definitely brand-new, and I'm sure the sensor was clean at the time. The 'blob' didn't show up until just a couple weeks ago according to the files where you can first see it.

I think we'll motor down to Irvine this afternoon and have a 'discussion' with them. They won't commit over the phone to cleaning it while I wait, but I have a feeling my chances will be a lot better if I'm standing there.

Yes, do take a trip to Canon. Its good that you have the service center right by you. Hopefully, they won't need to keep it, but if the "thing" is between the sensor and the AA filter, I suspect that it will need to be left behind for a couple of days.

On a side note, I was being a bit humerous (well, I thought it was humerous) about the "newness" of your camera, in the context of social diseases and such.

Be sure to show them examples, even if you have to show them this thread.

[hmhm]

Are you sure it's actually getting bigger? Sensor dust/goo will be more prominent at smaller apertures (bigger f-numbers), so it can differ between shots taken with different parameters.
-harry

[Belmondo]

Tom:
Sorry I missed the humor. Right now, my humor muscle is straining very hard just to maintain the merest shred of civility. I'm afraid my wife is getting the brunt of my crabbiness right now.

All over a stupid camera (albeit a $4,500 camera).

Now, I think I'll hurt the cat. :evil: Where's the fork?

[Belmondo]

Are you sure it's actually getting bigger? Sensor dust/goo will be more prominent at smaller apertures (bigger f-numbers), so it can differ between shots taken with different parameters.
-harry

You raise a good point, and the only thing I can really say for certain is that it wasn't there before. I have enough older photos to be certain of that. More than getting larger, I'd say it's getting more opaque, i.e. becoming more visible in photos regardless of aperture. That's why I truly suspect something organic.

If it isn't growing, it is changing, however. Many of the earliest shots when it first showed up were outdoors at small aperture settings, and it was barely visible. Yesterday's shots were late in the afternoon with a larger aperture, and it was much more visible. That suggests it's changing and becoming more opaque although the shape of the 'blob' is substantially the same.

[robertwgross]

I propose that it be called sensor snot.

---Bob Gross---[/b]

[IanD]

When you first opened the box and took that MKII out, gently removed the body cap and peered inside, you weren't drooling were you :?: :?: :shock: :shock: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[PacAce]

When you first opened the box and took that MKII out, gently removed the body cap and peered inside, you weren't drooling were you :?: :?: :shock: :shock: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

My guess is that he just sneezed at the wrong time and didn't know it! :shock:

[EoSD30fReAk]

i remeber the thread where you put up a picture of the markII and a box of kraft mac&cheese!

now isn't it possible that there is some cheese on the sensor :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

kidding aside it's good that you take it to canon,
be sure to take some examples with you!

good luck Thom

[arogop]

Have you tried the bounce test to see if you can dislodge it.

I hear that works quite well with those fancy white lenses.


Otherwise lock the mirror up and put it in the diswasher with lots of bleach.

[SDK^]

Maybe it's a 'virus' released by a specialist team at Nikon to attack Canon CMOS sensors :P

[CyberDyneSystems]

I'm trying to imagine if there is any part or electronic in the MkII that would involve a liquid?

Capacitors sometimes "ooze" .. and there may be a need for Mercury.. the Camera does know when it is tunrned on it's side? (or it just tagging the image to rotate based on which shutter release you use)

Anyways... I am interested to know what Canon has to say.

[arumdevil]

It could be a cicada, I suppose. They are all over the front of the truck from our recent cross-country trip (as well as lots of other unfortunate critters that tried to assert their rights-of-way.) The only thing is, I rarely travel with the camera on the hood of the car, the lens off, and the mirror locked up.

It just takes the one time :?

but seriously, good luck and I hope it doesn't turn out to be a very costly growth.

[Belmondo]

Well, gang, those are some interesting theories. :lol: I still don't have a clue what it is or where it came from, but..........




IT"S GONE!!! (the blob, that is)


I just returned from my 6-hour round-trip to Irvine (2 1/2 hours there, 3 1/2 hours back), and they were very nice about it. They took the camera in immediately and returned it 20 minutes later minus the offending blob on the sensor. Nothing in their paperwork gives any clue as to exactly what they did, but apparently it was nothing more than a routine cleaning of the sensor. They didn't charge anything for the service.

Special thanks to Chris and Cynthia at the front desk. They kept talking to me softly and supplied me with lots of tissues to dry my eyes with. One of them even donated their lunch bag for me to breathe into when I started to hyperventilate. Camera problems can be very stressful.

Anyway, it's a mystery with a happy ending. Thanks for all your moral support.

Thos. :D

[defordphoto]

:)

Thet probably just used a bleach treatment. That kills most fungus and prevents future growth.

[Belmondo]

Whatever they did, it was the right thing.

I learned a very valuable lesson from all this.....

.....that I can hold my breath for almost 18 hours. To say I was bummed out about this is understatement in the extreme.

[LazyPhotographer]

Probably just needed a penicillin swabbing. Thank gawd it's cured, that's contagious. Better wash your hands! :lol:

PS: I will light a candle and chant for better camera karma for you!

[CyberDyneSystems]

I simple lesson learned...

Every evening before going to bad.. lay yhr camera on it's back,. remove the body cap.. and fill the inside wiht Iodine to prevent re-infection... :shock:

(to any Newb's reading.. this is a stupid joke.. I just can't stop thinking of the time the newb tried to "water cool" his PC)

[Belmondo]

I simple lesson learned...

Every evening before going to bad.. lay yhr camera on it's back,. remove the body cap.. and fill the inside wiht Iodine to prevent re-infection... :shock:

(to any Newb's reading.. this is a stupid joke.. I just can't stop thinking of the time the newb tried to "water cool" his PC)

That's probably a good idea, but then I couldn't use it as a coffee mug in the morning without a lot of rinsing, and we hate to waste water here in the desert.

BTW, the smudge first appeared on the same weekend as the boys up in Canada were having their get-together in Montreal (IanD, Scottes, Pacace, Ssim, and that bunch). Even though I was hundreds of miles away at the time, I'm not convinced there isn't a connection. Hmmmmm. :roll:

[Tom W]

BTW, the smudge first appeared on the same weekend as the boys up in Canada were having their get-together in Montreal (IanD, Scottes, Pacace, Ssim, and that bunch). Even though I was hundreds of miles away at the time, I'm not convinced there isn't a connection. Hmmmmm. :roll:

Noboby do voodoo like IanD do.
I have it in confidence that they have a little stuffed doll of your 1D Mk II and they were sticking needles into the sensor.

Fortunately, Canon had the silver bullet treatment and exorcised the nasty spell..... for now......
:D

Glad to see your camera is back in top operating condition.

[Belmondo]

BTW, the smudge first appeared on the same weekend as the boys up in Canada were having their get-together in Montreal (IanD, Scottes, Pacace, Ssim, and that bunch). Even though I was hundreds of miles away at the time, I'm not convinced there isn't a connection. Hmmmmm. :roll:

Noboby do voodoo like IanD do.
I have it in confidence that they have a little stuffed doll of your 1D Mk II and they were sticking needles into the sensor.

Fortunately, Canon had the silver bullet treatment and exorcised the nasty spell..... for now......
:D



Glad to see your camera is back in top operating condition.

Doo doo. Hadn't thought about that. :oops: :lol:

[IanD]

I do VooDoo like no one do doo doo :shock: :shock: :shock: :lol: :lol:

[Scottes]

I do VooDoo like no one do doo doo :shock: :shock: :shock: :lol: :lol:


Critique: Which comeback?

Who do voodoo? You do? Who knew? And you do doo-doo? Pee-yew.

or:

What's all this nonsense and why does my neck hurt?

[Laziferous]

I'm a little late on this, but I'm glad you got it all straightened out Tom. I can't imagine how freaked out you must've been.

As someone mentioned, if I had to guess, I'd say it was a bit of slobber. I've had it happen to me when I was trying to take pictures of my nostrils. I was indoors, and was using available light, so I had to use a long exposure. Always concerned with the quality of my images, I of course locked up the mirror. The setup for the shot was rather taxing, so during exposure, I actually nodded off for a moment. In the depths of slumber, a bit of drool found it's way from my bottom lip, to the sensor. Not my finest moment as a photographer. I assume the same has happened to you, and I can see how you'd want to keep that to yourself.

What really matters is that your baby is back to normal. Now you can get back to not sharing pictures with us :p

[PacAce]

I do VooDoo like no one do doo doo :shock: :shock: :shock: :lol: :lol:

And this is what Ian uses to do his voodoo doo doo: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

http://tanseikai.com/tanseikai/images/others/voodoo-doll.jpg

[Belmondo]

That's a fine looking voodoo doll. I see commercial potential, especially now that Mattel has done away with the Ken doll. Unfortunately, the finishing nail leaves just a little to be desired. Hopefully you can come up with a pearl-headed hat pin or something a bit more elegant.

That is very funny, Leo, and just illustrates what a scoundrel that IanD guy really is. :lol: All my suspicions confirmed!!

[PacAce]

That's a fine looking voodoo doll. I see commercial potential, especially now that Mattel has done away with the Ken doll. Unfortunately, the finishing nail leaves just a little to be desired. Hopefully you can come up with a pearl-headed hat pin or something a bit more elegant.

That is very funny, Leo, and just illustrates what a scoundrel that IanD guy really is. :lol: All my suspicions confirmed!!

Hey, great idea about going ocmmercial with that voodoo doll. Of course, the commercial version will have a flap in the rear that opens to expose the buttusky which is where the pearl-headed hat pin gets jabbed. And, there's also going to be a special voodoo incantation booklet that's provided in the packaging and personally signed by Ian. :lol:

[Belmondo]

I see you've already selected a fine-looking face for the doll, but whose (or what's) butt are you going to use? A duck? Donkey? White Tailed Deer? Ian's?

Decisions, decisions.

[Vic_izoita]

Looks like a senson cancer.. lol.
The birds look out of focus, were you aiming at them or..?

[Belmondo]

Looks like a senson cancer.. lol.
The birds look out of focus, were you aiming at them or..?

Yeah, but I wasn't trying very hard (out the car window, handheld, etc.). Also there was no post-processing/sharpening done. I wanted to use a 'pure' image just as it came from the camera to show the 'blob'.

[IanD]

I see you've already selected a fine-looking face for the doll, but whose (or what's) butt are you going to use? A duck? Donkey? White Tailed Deer? Ian's?

Decisions, decisions.
My butt is not for public display.....however a small cash donation to my "L Fund" might sway my decision. :shock:
You have been fairly warned :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[msvadi]

Congratulations on your camera recovery!

I hope that folks in NJ service center are as nice as in Irvine. I know that 1D is a different league, but, still, may be they can fix my DRebel while I'm there (I wonder how long is the drive from CT to Irvine?)

Well, gang, those are some interesting theories. :lol: I still don't have a clue what it is or where it came from, but..........




IT"S GONE!!! (the blob, that is)


I just returned from my 6-hour round-trip to Irvine (2 1/2 hours there, 3 1/2 hours back), and they were very nice about it. They took the camera in immediately and returned it 20 minutes later minus the offending blob on the sensor. Nothing in their paperwork gives any clue as to exactly what they did, but apparently it was nothing more than a routine cleaning of the sensor. They didn't charge anything for the service.

Special thanks to Chris and Cynthia at the front desk. They kept talking to me softly and supplied me with lots of tissues to dry my eyes with. One of them even donated their lunch bag for me to breathe into when I started to hyperventilate. Camera problems can be very stressful.

Anyway, it's a mystery with a happy ending. Thanks for all your moral support.

Thos. :D

[Big_B]

I doubt very seriously it has a social disease. I feel I can vouch for the behavior of my camera at all times since I've owned it, although there is a period of time between its manufacture and when it came into my possession that I can't absolutely swear to.



Are you sure it hasn't been playing around with another lens behind your back? :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Glad you got it sorted. Must be a huge relief.

Sam

[Belmondo]

Congratulations on your camera recovery!

I hope that folks in NJ service center are as nice as in Irvine. I know that 1D is a different league, but, still, may be they can fix my DRebel while I'm there (I wonder how long is the drive from CT to Irvine?)

Funny you should ask------

We just drove from here to Mystic, CT, in 5 days. We could have done it in 4, but my wife decided she wanted to stop in Columbus, Ohio, to shop for most of the day.

I don't know if Canon treats different cameras with greater or lesser priority, but I'm sure it's always helpful to show up in person to plead your case. I've read other accounts of people showing up and having their sensor cleaned while they waited, but I doubt seriously they will undertake any more serious repairs while you wait. One further suggestion would be to get there as early as possible in the day to allow as much time as possible for them to take care of things should they decide to do so.

I don't know about the New Jersey staff, but the Irvine folks were extremely courteous and helpful. Again, being there in person was a factor, I'm sure.

BTW, I couldn't get them to commit to doing anything when I spoke to them on the phone. All they told me was to bring it in and they'd 'look at it.' Beyond that, they were totally non-committal.

[arogop]

I do VooDoo like no one do doo doo :shock: :shock: :shock: :lol: :lol:

And this is what Ian uses to do his voodoo doo doo: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

http://tanseikai.com/tanseikai/images/others/voodoo-doll.jpg

Can I get one with a cute miniture beige camara vest?