Puzzling 1DX Mark II Sensor Issue?

[East Wind Photography]

Hi.
I recently got myself the IDX 2 and am facing the same sensor dust issues.

What is surprising is that I found a dust spot suddenly appearing in my images in the middle of taking a series of blue sky shots at f22...even without my having changed the lens!

This was after I got my sensor cleaned by Canon (India) a week ago.

(1DXii, 7D, 7Dii, 500mmf4ISii, 1.4xiii, 2xiii, 100mmf2.8IS, 17-40f4)

Hi,

Just to clarify, I'm not experiencing a sensor dust issue. I am experiencing lines that look like brush strokes in two areas of my sensor. These lines appear at f13, and are visible throughout the rest of the aperture range.

Do you have an image you can post up to show what you're experiencing? If you're still seeing only dust it might just be you need to have the sensor cleaned yet again. It's hard to get it spotless, and might not be worth the effort.


I'm out of my country right now, but I'll be home tomorrow night and on Monday I'm sending my camera in. I'll report back what Canon Canada says or does.

I see you are in Canada but for the others here in the US, i just sent mine off to CPS in Virginia for cleaning and it came back spotless, all hot pixels were mapped out, and no streaks. I know this isnt helpful to you in canada but for others with dust and hot pixels, i can say canon did a great job at that facility.

Just a note that Canon does do a factory reset to map out bad pixels. So please save your settings to your memory card before returning it for cleaning so you can restore your settings. AFMA settings are not cleared.

 

[R1-7D]

Hi.
I recently got myself the IDX 2 and am facing the same sensor dust issues.

What is surprising is that I found a dust spot suddenly appearing in my images in the middle of taking a series of blue sky shots at f22...even without my having changed the lens!

This was after I got my sensor cleaned by Canon (India) a week ago.

(1DXii, 7D, 7Dii, 500mmf4ISii, 1.4xiii, 2xiii, 100mmf2.8IS, 17-40f4)

Hi,

Just to clarify, I'm not experiencing a sensor dust issue. I am experiencing lines that look like brush strokes in two areas of my sensor. These lines appear at f13, and are visible throughout the rest of the aperture range.

Do you have an image you can post up to show what you're experiencing? If you're still seeing only dust it might just be you need to have the sensor cleaned yet again. It's hard to get it spotless, and might not be worth the effort.


I'm out of my country right now, but I'll be home tomorrow night and on Monday I'm sending my camera in. I'll report back what Canon Canada says or does.

I see you are in Canada but for the others here in the US, i just sent mine off to CPS in Virginia for cleaning and it came back spotless, all hot pixels were mapped out, and no streaks. I know this isnt helpful to you in canada but for others with dust and hot pixels, i can say canon did a great job at that facility.

Just a note that Canon does do a factory reset to map out bad pixels. So please save your settings to your memory card before returning it for cleaning so you can restore your settings. AFMA settings are not cleared.

East Wind,

That's good to know. I'll make sure I save my settings. I had not thought of that. Cheers!

 

[R1-7D]

Just want to give a quick update on the situation, for those that are interested:

I sent my camera to CPS this morning. I was still a bit apprehensive about sending it, and I hummed and hawed about it most of the week and couldn't make up my mind after going through about a 1000 images I'd just taken last weekend from a trip I was on.

Anyways, I called CPS, had them send me a loaner and I packaged my camera up and sent it off. Here's hoping for the best, but I'm not sure what they'll do.


Just to note, the CPS loaner 1DX II also exhibits the problem, although not with the same frequency throughout the frame as mine. The loaner has one big long line towards the bottom of the frame. I've called CPS and told them about it, and they asked for sample images from it too, which I've provided.

Anyways, I'm not sure what will be done/what can be done -- they might chalk it up to a non-issue *Shrugs. Anyways, Canon is looking into it and the people I've dealt with on the phone have been extremely pleasant to deal with.


Here's a screen shot of the line on the loaner at f/13. It obviously becomes more pronounced at smaller apertures:

 

[R1-7D]

I received my camera back today. Canon Canada replaced the whole sensor. They acknowledged that there was a problem in the production of my sensor, and the CPS agent insinuated that they've now seen it on a few others, especially now that I have alerted them to it.

As far as what the actual cause is - ie, something wrong with the sensor stack?? - they didn't specifically say.


The camera was sent back to me in better condition than I sent it in. They must have cleaned the viewfinder of the little dust spots showing up, because they are gone, and the camera is focusing extremely well with barely any misses. The weird lines are completely gone, even if I boost Dehaze too 100%.


So, all in all, it's a stark contrast from what I exerperienced before with CPS. Thank you Canon Canada!!

 

[Loswr]

Thanks for the follow up info, glad they got it sorted!

 

[Jack Douglas]

I received my camera back today. Canon Canada replaced the whole sensor. They acknowledged that there was a problem in the production of my sensor, and the CPS agent insinuated that they've now seen it on a few others, especially now that I have alerted them to it.

As far as what the actual cause is - ie, something wrong with the sensor stack?? - they didn't specifically say.


The camera was sent back to me in better condition than I sent it in. They must have cleaned the viewfinder of the little dust spots showing up, because they are gone, and the camera is focusing extremely well with barely any misses. The weird lines are completely gone, even if I boost Dehaze too 100%.


So, all in all, it's a stark contrast from what I exerperienced before with CPS. Thank you Canon Canada!!

Thanks for this. As I recall, you were taking a little heat on this one and it must have been a little disconcerting not knowing what to do. I've had good interactions with Canon Canada myself so I'm glad your issue is resolved.

Jack

 

[R1-7D]

I received my camera back today. Canon Canada replaced the whole sensor. They acknowledged that there was a problem in the production of my sensor, and the CPS agent insinuated that they've now seen it on a few others, especially now that I have alerted them to it.

As far as what the actual cause is - ie, something wrong with the sensor stack?? - they didn't specifically say.


The camera was sent back to me in better condition than I sent it in. They must have cleaned the viewfinder of the little dust spots showing up, because they are gone, and the camera is focusing extremely well with barely any misses. The weird lines are completely gone, even if I boost Dehaze too 100%.


So, all in all, it's a stark contrast from what I exerperienced before with CPS. Thank you Canon Canada!!

Thanks for this. As I recall, you were taking a little heat on this one and it must have been a little disconcerting not knowing what to do. I've had good interactions with Canon Canada myself so I'm glad your issue is resolved.

Jack

Thank you, it's a good feeling knowing I'm not crazy and that there was an issue. It's also a good feeling knowing that the camera is operating as it should now too.

The only disappointment I have now is not knowing for sure what caused the issue, but I guess that's inconsequential at this point.



Thanks for everyones' support and suggestions!

 

[R1-7D]

Thanks for the follow up info, glad they got it sorted!

I'm always happy to report a good experience, and this case definitely warrants a mention. I can't tell you how pleased I am that camera is in better shape than when it left. To be honest, I was expecting the opposite, such as scratched paint or body panels misaligned, etc.

Canon Canada did a great job, and I'm really happy!!

 

[ANDRXW]

I received my camera back today. Canon Canada replaced the whole sensor. They acknowledged that there was a problem in the production of my sensor, and the CPS agent insinuated that they've now seen it on a few others, especially now that I have alerted them to it.

As far as what the actual cause is - ie, something wrong with the sensor stack?? - they didn't specifically say.


The camera was sent back to me in better condition than I sent it in. They must have cleaned the viewfinder of the little dust spots showing up, because they are gone, and the camera is focusing extremely well with barely any misses. The weird lines are completely gone, even if I boost Dehaze too 100%.


So, all in all, it's a stark contrast from what I exerperienced before with CPS. Thank you Canon Canada!!

Glad to see/hear of a successful experience with CPS. Enjoy the freshened up camera!

 

[Click]

Glad it got it sorted.

 

[tpatana]

I love happy endings!

 

[Valvebounce]

Hi R1.
So pleased to hear that this experience with CPS was a complete contrast to your last interaction and that they acknowledged that your lines were a real issue.

Cheers, Graham.

I received my camera back today. Canon Canada replaced the whole sensor. They acknowledged that there was a problem in the production of my sensor, and the CPS agent insinuated that they've now seen it on a few others, especially now that I have alerted them to it.

As far as what the actual cause is - ie, something wrong with the sensor stack?? - they didn't specifically say.


The camera was sent back to me in better condition than I sent it in. They must have cleaned the viewfinder of the little dust spots showing up, because they are gone, and the camera is focusing extremely well with barely any misses. The weird lines are completely gone, even if I boost Dehaze too 100%.


So, all in all, it's a stark contrast from what I exerperienced before with CPS. Thank you Canon Canada!!

 

[R1-7D]

I love happy endings!

Me too!

 

[R1-7D]

Hi R1.
So pleased to hear that this experience with CPS was a complete contrast to your last interaction and that they acknowledged that your lines were a real issue.

Cheers, Graham.

I received my camera back today. Canon Canada replaced the whole sensor. They acknowledged that there was a problem in the production of my sensor, and the CPS agent insinuated that they've now seen it on a few others, especially now that I have alerted them to it.

As far as what the actual cause is - ie, something wrong with the sensor stack?? - they didn't specifically say.


The camera was sent back to me in better condition than I sent it in. They must have cleaned the viewfinder of the little dust spots showing up, because they are gone, and the camera is focusing extremely well with barely any misses. The weird lines are completely gone, even if I boost Dehaze too 100%.


So, all in all, it's a stark contrast from what I exerperienced before with CPS. Thank you Canon Canada!!

Thanks! It's a massive relief.

Just finished dropping off the loaner at Purolator.

 

[Raptors]

Hi R1
I am also very pleased that this issue was resolved. I also live in Canada, and so far all my interactions with CPS Canon Canada have all been positive.
I do own a 1DX, but have waited to purchase the markII. Do you mind me asking, what are the first numbers of the serial number of your 1DXII?

Sue

 

[R1-7D]

Hi R1
I am also very pleased that this issue was resolved. I also live in Canada, and so far all my interactions with CPS Canon Canada have all been positive.
I do own a 1DX, but have waited to purchase the markII. Do you mind me asking, what are the first numbers of the serial number of your 1DXII?

Sue

Hi Sue,

The first three digits are 042. Hope that helps.

 

[scyrene]

Gentlemen, it's not the spots that concern me on the sensor. It's the "brush-like" marks on the sensor that I am worried about, as I have never seen anything like that before.

It's an $8000 camera here in Canada, and I have had it a month. I'm concerned there's damage that was not caused by me.

The lines also do appear in my photographs. I noticed this from macro shots at f/20. It's just at f/32 they are more prounced, and I used the Dehaze function to show what I'm talking about as it exaggerates every spot. Dehaze is only to draw attention to the area.

I agree with others, if it's bothering you, contact Canon for possible cleaning/repairs/replacement. I should read to the end before replying!

As for the general question on sensor cleaning, I'm intrigued too. I have never cleaned my sensors, nor had them cleaned. I used a blower very occasionally, or even blow on them with my mouth (very bad form, I know). I've had the odd dust spot that showed up at narrow apertures at macro distances on plain bright backgrounds, but I either clone them out in PP or they're removed by the camera's sensor self-cleaning or my aforementioned blowing

Mind if I ask though, why macro at f/20? The diffraction softness must be pretty punishing at that point.

 

[Jack Douglas]

Perhaps it's like this. If there is a mosquito in your tent you go to great lengths to find it. And kill it.

Jack

 

[R1-7D]

Gentlemen, it's not the spots that concern me on the sensor. It's the "brush-like" marks on the sensor that I am worried about, as I have never seen anything like that before.

It's an $8000 camera here in Canada, and I have had it a month. I'm concerned there's damage that was not caused by me.

The lines also do appear in my photographs. I noticed this from macro shots at f/20. It's just at f/32 they are more prounced, and I used the Dehaze function to show what I'm talking about as it exaggerates every spot. Dehaze is only to draw attention to the area.

I agree with others, if it's bothering you, contact Canon for possible cleaning/repairs/replacement.

Mind if I ask though, why macro at f/20? The diffraction softness must be pretty punishing at that point.

scyrene,

I did send it to Canon; they replaced the whole sensor and acknowledged there was an issue. I had also seen the same markings on several other 1DX Mark II units, including the one Canon sent me as a loaner while mine was in for repair.

In some situations, where I don't have a tripod, and can't later stack multiple shots, and I want as much depth of field as possible, a narrow aperture is the only way to go. Also, just to point out, if you read the whole thread, the issue was persistent even at f/11, which is quite a commonly used aperture.

Now the camera is back with a brand new sensor, it seems to be working very well, knock on wood.

 

[R1-7D]

Perhaps it's like this. If there is a mosquito in your tent you go to great lengths to find it. And kill it.

Jack

That's a cute analogy, but in this case where it's a piece of new expensive equipment that produces images that I sell, I don't feel like I was going to great lengths to 'kill the mosquito.'