Dead Body Pixel

[Edilma Howard]

Onlyone so far, but it's the first time I've ever had this experience with a new camera. It might be more accurate to say one *cluster* or area as it does appear to be more than just one individual pixel.

I was leaning toward getting the camera replaced, but wondered how likely it was that I'd end up with a similar problem / should I just put up with it. After 4-5 DSLRs it's a first for me, but I'm a small test sample!

This is a common occurrence and getting a new camera does not solve the problem. Every digital camera eventually will develop "dead" or "stuck" pixels. That is why the repair facilities run remapping of the sensor to fix the issue, they don't replace the camera.

If you are a frequent airline flier your cameras will develop the pixel issues sooner. However, the process is random in its nature so even the brandest new item can show this problem straight out of the box. Either use software that corrects for stuck pixels, or have the camera remapped once in a while (I do this about twice a year), or both.

Bjorn, when you say use software to correct the issue, do you mean Nikon's Dust Off Reference feature? Or something else? (Obviously I know I can fix the glaring red dots in post production, but I don't want to have to do that and don't think it should be necessary with a new body.)

And third question: I assume from what you're saying that remapping the sensor is a fairly routine repair that Nikon does. Do you mind sharing with us how much that costs? (Just to give me a rough idea.)

Bibble and other software allow for "hot" pixel detection and software removal. The reason you perceive the flawed pixel(s) at all is that the "error" has been exaggerated due to the post-processing (demosaicing/Bayer filter), so one tiny pixel apparently influences a lot of its neighbours. That's why the correction should be performed early in the processing workflow.

I'm an NPS member and Nikon Nordic at least does remapping for free. I'll call them in advance so they can switch the gear on. Usually I have a nice cup of coffee and do som idle chatting with the techs while waiting for the remapping to finish. The process takes a few minutes. Don't know what routine they have for other customers.

Basically remapping tells the camera to substitute information for the bad pixel with information from a nearby "good" pixel. They don't physically replace the sensor - but instead tell it via firmware to ignore the hot pixels.

I have a D700 first day shooting it - outdoors - bright blue sky - I noticed 6 hot or dead pixels. I've shot it every shoot since then and noticed 0 on the finished product. Hot pixels change over time - they may increase - or as mine did - decrease. If it really bugs you - send it in and have it remapped.

I just spoke with someone at the El Segundo location (that's the US repair facility) to find out more about their policy on sensor remapping. Note that I'm not an NPS member, unfortunately, so this is for us plebs (although Bjorn may find it interesting, too):

Once the camera is out of warranty, you do have to pay for the repair. They consider it a "B2 rank repair - minor parts / major service" and for a D300/D300s it will set you back somewhere between $143 - $224. It's a flat rate service that includes cleaning the camera inside & out, doing a complete system diagnostic, cleaning the sensor etc. No, they can't separate out individual parts of that, they will not remap the sensor alone and just charge for that part, it has to be the whole shebang. But they do still do simple sensor cleanings only because "that's different" - I put the rep on the spot about that. They'd have a revolution on their hands if they didn't do simple sensor cleanings; if you ask me there's no reason they can't do simple sensor remaps also.

Oh, and warranty or not, it will be a 7-day turnaround time. So with shipping you can expect to be without your camera for 2 weeks (this is standard even for a sensor cleaning and I grind my teeth every time). No, a non-NPS member cannot take the camera in to the El Segundo facility and have the service done while they wait, absolutely not.

Shun, your point about exchanging the camera is well taken. That's the only reason I was hesitating to send it back; I could end up with something worse, and so far I've not seen any other issues with what is otherwise a great new camera. I've got a few more days and shutter actuations yet before the RMA limit, so I'll continue testing and see how it goes. If that's the only fault I can find then I agree, I should keep the camera and have the sensor remapped.

My D7000 is my 6th Nikon DSLR; all of which I purchased new, and I have tested a bunch of camera samples Nikon US loaned to photo.net. So far I have yet to find one dead pixel, but I am sure that is mainly due to the fact that I haven't looked all that carefully for them. If I crank up the ISO and capture long time exposures, or if I take a 30-second exposure with the lens cap on, I'll find all sorts of dead pixels. Moreover, I tend to open my NEF files with Adobe software, which also automatcially removes those bad pixels so that the problem is masked.

Nikon USA's repair cost can be high. A year and half ago I dropped my 70-200mm/f2.8 VR version 1. While that lens is still functioning fine for the most part and optically fine, the focusing ring is now stiff. Since I use AF most of the time, it is hardly an issue. I took it to El Segundo in person and they quoted me at least $450 for repair and it could go up to $550. I declined repair on the spot. Instead, I used the $500 towards the purchase of version 2 of that lens.

" I could end up with something worse" Doubtful. You will likely end up with something better. Get the dealer you purchased it from to replace it at no cost or cover the shipping costs to Nikon should you choose to send it to them.

I probably should have mentioned before, all my testing so far has been done ISO 400 or lower; the defective pixel (nod to Rob) shines brightly even at ISO 100. (Reminder to self: don't forget to test at higher ISO settings!) So it's not something that I'll only rarely have to deal with: it will literally be in every shot. Hence my desire to get something done about it.

Are you seeing this at all ISO's or just the high ones? I get two at ISO 1600 and up and from what I've seen most D700's do this. Even the ones that say they don't, Ive seen a few original sized images posted on here that their owners claim they don't have hot pixels and they are their. This was driving me nuts but now I'm a little more at ease and enjoying my camera.

ages ago(permalink)

I don't have a D700 yet (though I am dying to get my hands on one!!), but I have experienced hot pixels with my other cameras. One of my cameras was stll under warranty when I discovered two hot pixels. I sent it back, they fixed it, and then several months later there was another one in a new location.

I came across this in my research and it made me feel a little better about hot pixels in general.

webpages.charter.net/bbiggers/DCExperiments/html/hot_pixe...

ages ago(permalink)

Digital cameras get hot pixels. If it is under warranty, take it back. OW, not much you can do about it. Interestingly enough, 99% of them cannot be seen in print, only when pixel peeping.

The best and worst for me was with my D100. Got a couple that were very noticable but with a D100 you could map them out. That is what happens when you send you cam back under warranty, they remap the EXPEED engine to ignore the pixel

My wish is that they would give us that power!

ages ago(permalink)

Is "dead pixel" and "hot pixel" the same thing? I thought that dead pixel meant that it was out at all ISOs, and hot pixel was something that happened during long exposures or high ISOs...

ages ago(permalink)

as far as I understand dead pixels or some may called hot pixels may occur during slow shutter speed and with high ISO setting or both of course. As we speak Nikon are replacing the chip and as I was told if this won't do the justice then the camera will be replaced

ages ago(permalink)

Some day there's going to be a rock group called The Dead Pixels.

Can anyone really see these without super-magnifying their images?

Originally posted ages ago. (permalink)

Beetlebomb Pohutukawa edited this topic ages ago.

I've learned to live with the two I have, I only see them at ISO 1600 and up, and only at 75% and up, and they're still tiny. I don't even notice them any more. I had one on my D200 that I had for two years and only noticed it the other day for being curious. I never even noticed it before.

Originally posted ages ago. (permalink)

lopezzito edited this topic ages ago.

Yep...got one or two...comes out if you really look for them, especially in dark photos. I learned a while back though to ignore them or else i would go crazy!! Had dead pixels on all DSLR i owned so far.

ages ago(permalink)

This one has been discussed before - all sensors have dead and hot pixels - the camera contains a mapping file specific to the sensor - much like that of a hard drive. The camera software averages out these pixels. Any nikon service center can correct the problem in about 5 minutes. If there are too many then the sensor needs replacement. Many of the "replacements" I hear about are really remapping -

ages ago(permalink)

We spent most of out time at the smaller and more photogenic Sertri Gompa. Just taking it all in when a chance conversation between one of the monks and Jun told us about a Tibetan sky burial ground up in the hills behind the monastery.

We later learned that the custom at Langmusi is that after the vultures have finished with the corpse, what is left is burnt. But not all of the bits make it in to the fire and the whole area is littered with remnants such as this head of hair we found nearby.

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