Canon working on 'black dot' fix for new SLR

Updated 9:27 and 9:45 a.m. PST with further details from Canon USA announcement.

Canon has acknowledged the "black dot" problem that mars some shots taken with its new 5D Mark II camera and is preparing "correction firmware" designed to deal with the problem, the company said.

Canon's 5D Mark II full-frame SLR

(Credit: Canon)

"We are currently investigating ways to improve and/or mitigate these phenomena. An announcement will be made on the Canon Web site when measures to address these phenomena have been decided," according to a statement dated December 17 that appeared on Canon's Australian support and service Web site.

A later Canon USA service announcement was largely identical, but also said Canon is "examining measures to reduce or eliminate these phenomena by providing correction firmware."

Firmware fixes can be downloaded and installed, a much cheaper and easier process than the physical repairs the company undertook to help with Canon 1D Mark III autofocus problem.

Canon described the problem the same way many who've complained about it have: "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 percent or above on a monitor or if large prints of the images are made." For some examples, check farther down this post.

These magnified close-ups that Stephan Hoerold took with his Canon 5D Mark II show lights on a building at night. The dark spots appear to the right of the very bright areas. The three shots show images taken at ISO 100, ISO 200, and ISO 3,200. Photo used with permission.

(Credit: Stephan Hoerold)

The company also said it's looking into vertical banding noise that can show when shooting files in the sRAW1 mode, which produces a smaller file size than regular raw images.

Here are the three options Canon suggested for dealing with the banding issue:

• Set the recording format to RAW or JPEG.
• Set C.Fn II-3: Highlight tone priority to 0: Disable if the recording format is set to sRAW1.
• The vertical banding noise is not noticeable if the recording format is set to sRAW2, but please set C.Fn II-3: Highlight tone priority to 0: Disable if you are concerned about noise.

The note closed with an apology: "Canon always strives to provide the highest quality products to our customers. We apologize for any inconvenience these phenomena may have caused. We appreciate your kind patronage and support."

Canon USA has last week said it expected to issue a statement on the 5D Mark II black dot issue.

Also, Rob Galbraith rounded up the links for Canon Europe, Canon Japan, and Canon Korea.

(Via Rich Legg.)

Hoerold's original shot of San Francisco by night, at ISO 100, taken with a Canon 5D Mark II.

(Credit: Stephan Hoerold)

Above, a 300 percent crop of one section of Hoerold's photo. This is at ISO 100.

(Credit: Stephan Hoerold)

Above, a 300 percent crop of one section of Hoerold's photo. This is at ISO 200.

(Credit: Stephan Hoerold)

Above, a 300 percent crop of one section of Hoerold's photo. This is at ISO 3,200.

(Credit: Stephan Hoerold)

[mooney101]

IF anyone is looking for a quick fix just go buy the Nikon D3. I'd be VERY upset if I had just purchased this camera only to have a problem like this. Canon may be facing a lawsuit, if they don't get this address properly. Shame on Canon for releasing a product in this condition.

[da_bombdiggidy]

If we are going to point out a major flaw, I would point out the D3's 1080p video. It's just so...whats the word... nonexistant? missing? unavailable?

[sevort]

D3 is not a competitor to Canon 5D, the D700 is.

[mooney101]

OK go out and by a D700, if this canon thing is a problem for you. And if you really need the video maybe pick up a D90 while your at it :)

[sythara]

Its hard for people to just buy a Nikon when you have several thousand of dollars invested in lenses for Canon.

[kyle5434]

Agreed. It's easier (and less expensive) to just not be a bleeding edge early adopter, and instead hang back until a firmware update or two.

[sythara]

Yeah that is very true. The same principal applies to cars as well. Sad when so many new products are all buggy.

[forestwander]

I hope they get this fixed soon.

I am looking to purchase one of these new camera for my nature photography business.

This would make an excellent camera upgrade from my 350d.

Anything new usually has bugs.

Maybe it is a good thinfg that it is out of stock everywhere.

ForestWander Nature Photography
www.ForestWander.com

[aarthabenn]

I have researched for one of the best DSLR cameras without breaking the bank and have found it in the 5D model. A very flexible camera, truly a masterpiece for shooting landscapes and portraits as well as anything in between, the 5D fulfills any needs I had prior to owning it. My only wish is that it had a more flexible bracketing system, such as 5 frames bracketing instead of 3 frames. Still, worth its weight in gold, the 5D is the one DSLR I would recommend for any job and for any serious amateur or pro photographer out there.

regards
aatha
[CNET editors' note: link deleted]

[alegr]

This is analog design problem (long recovery with overshoot after saturation) that shows up when the readout amp is set to high gain for high ISO. It could be possible to mask it by post-processing, but I doubt that.

[donsms]

How can a company release this camera to the public for sale with these serious problems,especially for the amount of money they charge?Seems like a rush job to me.

[mooney101]

It is a rush job. Canon is staring to realize they are losing their customers to the D3 and D700 so they needed some publicity and fast. So they ship a defective product with hopes they can fix it later in a firmware update. Bad move and another reason I'm glad I've stuck with a Nikon system.

[rbradbury]

I shoot 20 to 30 weddings a year with two 5D's, one 40D, and one 30D. They have all been awesome and reliable camera's and they get banged around all the time. Without hesitatition, I added myself to the list for a 5D Mark II. I picked mine up on Monday. As a professional, I can tell you the camera is nothing short of amazing. ISO 3200 is the same quality as ISO 800 on the 5D Mark I. I was able to handheld shoot a picture inside my dark closet with almost no light, and the image was better than my own eyes coluld see. The HD 1080P video is also amazing. My assistant shoots Nikon when not assisting me, both his D200 and D300 with thousands less cycles on them than my Canon's have failed. Both camera's needed to be returned for service. So, unless you've actually used a 5D Mark II, don't slam it. Canon and Nikon are both constantly pushing the limits of sensors, light, and data technology; I'm sure Canon will resolve the rare black spots. The Canon 5D Mark II is an amazing camera for under $2700 and I'm sure it will be a workhorse for several years to come. Cheers to Canon!

[paulroz]

Canon - Nikon, as my father always said "It's a poor workman who blames his tools". Both systems are so way ove rthe top for 99% of the pro jobs out there. Each manufacturerer races to raise the level to the next "texas-big size". I switched to Canon after 37 years of Nikon because they didn't have a full sized chip, which was a hinderance to interior wide angle work. I've worked with a friend who has the D3 and seen incredible results. I already made the switch and am committed to the Canon system. The 5D is a fabulous camera but those young art directors have a ***** envy thing for "bigger" so I have to upgrade to the MkII. Chevy-Ford, Mac-Pc, Canon-Nikon, work with what works for you and stop the juvenile, brand specific boasting. If we didn't live in such a screwed up consumer society may be we would all be ahead of the game. All those view camera shooters in the past knew you either had the eye or you didn't. Those cameras were all pretty basic and it came down to who had the talent not who was shooting with a Sinar or Linhof!!