Canon 5D MKII Black Dots / Black Spots Discussion

Originally Posted by Jerry Skrocki

It seems like another quality control issue from Canon, similar to the auto focus issue that affected the Canon 1D Mark III.

That puts consumers in a precarious situation. Do you take the gamble and hope you get a good copy, or wait for Canon to come out with a fix?

Jerry

Yes. Deja Vu all over again.

Rest assured, I won't be doing any running tests to try and troubleshoot this issue. I'll leave it to Canon to clean up their own mess.

If anything, it looks like Noel might be our man for any sort of deeper understanding around this issue. Go Noel.

Of course, just like before someone really needs to get at least two bodies together to start any sort of testing on the issue. One with the issue (which is known) and one without the issue (which looks likely, but still needs further testing to prove). Put the two cameras in the exact same location, with all the same settings, etc. and prove that one produces the effect while the other does not. Then try to see if there is a correlation with serial number lots, or any other known hardware or manufacturing differences. Things, that just like before, only Canon is truly equipped to do properly.

I hope this upcoming "announcement" by Chuck isn't just like before, an acknowledgment of hearing about a problem and nothing further. A quick acknowledgment of a "known bug/ problem" would certainly help things along.

Perhaps consumers should just do what a lot of Windows folks do, wait until SP1 to purchase.

[Noel_Carboni]

Thanks Terry.

Okay, I've done it. I have created a set of Photoshop actions that correct the black dots near highlights. There are two: One that removes black dots to the right of the lights and one that removes them from above (to accomodate landscape and portrait shooting).

Below is a sample run on some small parts of Drew's images, blinking between before and after:





Here's a ProPhotoHome exclusive!!! As a special holiday gift from me to ProPhotoHome members, you can download your very own free copy of this action from my web site:

ProDigital Software Photoshop Actions

Please let me know if you find these actions useful!

-Noel

Great job, Noel! Will give them a go.

Probably home page and email stuff.

[Noel_Carboni]

Sounds good to me. I didn't have that much to test with, but I suspect they'll do a good job in the general case.

-Noel

[Richard Dickins]

Noel, you are a total superstar, that's absolutely brilliant!

I need to play with my 5D2 to see if it's one of the affected ones, but even if it is, your Action would save the day!

Canon need to employ your services ;-)

[Noel_Carboni]

Thanks.

As of 4:45 EST I've uploaded a slight update. Please re-download if you already have them. The update makes the actions a little more sensitive to light spots.

-Noel

Checked it out. Seems to work well.

I've updated the original article and posted a sticky thread. Also, your solution is now being blasted.

Now, my question to you- as someone who does astrophotography- what do you really think of this sort of solution. Does it cause too much loss of detail in the overall equation?

Would it keep you from purchasing the camera?