Forgot Password
Pentax Camera Forums Home
 

Reply
Show Printable Version Search this Thread
12-05-2010, 04:28 PM - 4 Likes   #1
Veteran Member
falconeye's Avatar

Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Munich, Alps, Germany
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 6,871
Advanced Stainology

This thread is about the art and science of looking at stains. It's about a sickness which I heard is hard to cure

Of course, this is about the stains which have recently been reported for the K-5. More and more reports are arriving.

I do not participate in posting examples and I don't know if my K-5 suffers from the problem as I didn't shoot at f/22 yet. And I refrain from commenting if the effect is of any significance and if other cameras shiw the same or not.

No, this thread simply is about an examination of what people are seeing. I try to relate an image effect to a possible physical cause.



Chapter 1. Measurements

As announced, I evaluate telfish's sample shots taken with the DFA 100/2.8 Macro. The originals have been posted here:

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/1291441-post54.html and
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/1291464-post56.html


The images copied here for easier reference:
  • f/16:
  • f/22:
  • f/32:
  • f/48 (effective, nominal: f/32 at 303mm for f=100mm)

    All images (c) telfish
I evaluated the upper left stain. For higher precision, one could evaluate all stains but I stopped myself there


Chapter 2: Theoretical Stainology

I start from the most simple hypothesis I can make: that the stains are caused by opaque disk-shaped obstructions somewhere in the light path.

A disk casts a shadow onto the sensor. The shadow will be disk like and be divided into an outer (half) shadow (the penumbra) with diameter H and an inner full shadow (umbra) with diameter C. Let the obstruction diameter be D and the distance of the sensor surface to the obstruction be d.

Furthermore, let's define the following symbols: the effective numeric f-stop: N. The light's wavelength lambda=0.55µm and the pixel size s=4.81µm. Finally, let delta be the maximum phase shift of the photon wave field around the circumference of the obstruction, for any possible photon entering the lens.


Then, it holds true:
D = (H + C) / 2 (only if C >= 0)

d = (H - C) * N/2

delta / lambda = D / lambda / (2N)

Intensity I = (D / H)^2 ~ 1/4 N^2 (D/d)^2


Chapter 3: Measurement Results


Numbering the images as above, I obtain (for the upper leftmost stain):
  • N = 16, 22, 32, 48
  • H = 16, 15, 14, 12 pixels
  • C = 0, 2, 4, 7 pixels
  • D = ?, 41, 43, 46 µm
  • d = ?, 690, 770, 570 µm
  • delta/lambda = ?, 1.69, 1.23, 0.87


Chapter 4: Discussion


All results are compatible with the opaque disk-shape obstruction hypothesis. The results do roughly behave as anticipated, the average over the f/22 and f/32 result is probably the best predictor.

At f/48, the delta/lambda becomes smaller than 1. This means that the illumination (from the lens aperture) starts to behave like coherent light (over an area as large as the obstruction). Coherent light is produced by lasers but obviously, lasers aren't the only method to produce it

Coherent light must be treated taking its wave nature into account. One consequence is the formation of what is known as:
Arago Spot or Poisson Spot
This spot is a bright spot in the middle of a dark area otherwise unreachable by classic ray optics. It is caused by diffraction.

We clearly see that the Arago spot only forms for f/48 or delta/lambda<1. Look at the last image and see the bright spot in the centers. The fact that this bright spot forms exactly as predicted by our opaque disk-shape obstruction hypothesis is a strong supportive argument. There is no evidence that the stain is from a liquid or oil particle.

Hystorically, the Poisson or Arago spot was among the first strong evidences that light cannot be particles (only).


Everything combined, this means that the upper left stain is created by a round opaque particle of a bit less than 1/20 mm diameter and sitting between maybe 0.68 mm and 0.78 mm above the sensor. So, this determines the vertical particle position with about 1/20 mm precision which is about its diameter. Other stains seem to come from somewhat smaller particles.


Chapter 5: Implication for the Pentax K-5

The attached image shows a cut through the sensor and the optical assembly on top of it. It is a magnification (4x in z-direction) of my cut model photography I made myself during Photokina 2010.

The red lines are identified surfaces and the green lines mark the area where I identified the stain to originate from (with upper and lower margins).

There seems to be a clear conclusion: the stains sit on the top (outside) surface of the cover glass of the ceramic chip package housing the CMOS sensor and received from Sony.


Conclusion:
On some K-5, there sit a few dust-sized particles of 30 µm - 50 µm size on top of the cover glass of the sealed CMOS chip.
There is a smaller but finite equal chance that the stains sit within the CMOS chip on the inner side (underside) of the cover glass, or on the bottom of the AA filter, resp.
Smaller particles probably would remain invisible. Larger particles are uncommon for dust. Even 40 µm is large. Typically, dust particles are between 1 µm and 20 µm. It may actually be particles other than dust.

I am wondering how the aggregation of dust on top of the sensor cover glass can be prevented at all. The cut model shows a spacer between chip and AA filter. So, the space in between may be sealed or not. Difficult to say.

In any case, to eliminate the effect, the AA filter must be removed and the cover glass be cleaned in a clean room environment.

And to prevent the problem from emerging, Pentax must seal the AA filter to the CMOS chip and do so in a clean room. They may have actually done so. And we see the effect of an incomplete cleaning of incoming Sony sensors.

There must be more cameras showing the same effect. ...


Enjoy the read

Attached Images
 

Last edited by falconeye; 12-07-2010 at 07:32 AM.
12-05-2010, 04:48 PM   #2
Veteran Member
macTak's Avatar

Join Date: Apr 2010
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 759
Thanks for your investigation. Have you seen the pictures Dcuk has captured of the stain on dp's thread? I am intereseted if you think they are consistant with your theorizing (dust is on the cover glass). To me, the pattern of distrobution does not look like what I'd expect from (random) dust (more like something that is/was liquid).
http://forums.*************/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=37106323

Last edited by macTak; 12-05-2010 at 04:56 PM.
12-05-2010, 04:55 PM   #3
Veteran Member




Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: NY
Posts: 407
Thanks Falk for the work you have done on this. I am getting a full refund from Amazon, so that is fine.

Good to know that I will not need to try and clean the unclean-able.

Terry
12-05-2010, 05:14 PM   #4
Veteran Member
falconeye's Avatar

Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Munich, Alps, Germany
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 6,871
Original Poster
QuoteOriginally posted by macTak Quote
Thanks for your investigation. Have you seen the pictures Dcuk has captured of the stain on dp's thread? I am intereseted if you think they are consistant with your theorizing (dust is on the cover glass). To me, the pattern of distrobution does not look like what I'd expect from (random) dust (more like something that is/was liquid).
http://forums.*************/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=37106323
The link cannot be repaired when copy-pasting. Pentaxforums broke the skimlinks thing again. So, I had to search for it

Here is a link to my reply:
Some own analysis (Stainology): Pentax SLR Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review

Basically, Dcuk finds the same. But he cannot resolve the difference between cover glass top and AA filter bottom.

So, his Macro shots basically confirm what I analyzed from the existing images.

40 µm is pretty large though. I wonder why his macro shots didn't get better. In 1:1, a stain should be nearly 10 pixels wide.


Whether to call it dust or not ...
I agree that it is probably remaining whatever from maybe what was meant to be a cleaning procedure or peeling off a protective adhesive. But in the end, dust is what we call 10µm-scale particles sitting at unwanted places

So, what I say is particles rather than dust actually.


Last edited by falconeye; 12-05-2010 at 05:24 PM.
12-05-2010, 05:25 PM   #5
Inactive Account




Join Date: Feb 2010
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 488
That makes perfect sense. Although I am no mathamatition.
A very valuable member you are.
I am also thinking about the thousands of units that will not be checked.

Thank you falconeye.

Last edited by garyk; 12-05-2010 at 05:30 PM.
12-05-2010, 05:26 PM   #6
Veteran Member




Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Sydney, Australia
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 1,637
Interesting, thanks for the work Falk.

Will have to have a closer look at mine tonight as I will be using very small aperture for macro with it.
12-05-2010, 05:38 PM   #7
Pentaxian
Class A's Avatar

Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Wellington, New Zealand
Posts: 11,250
QuoteOriginally posted by falconeye Quote
The link cannot be repaired when copy-pasting.
Just right-click on the link and "Open in a New Window". Wait for all the "go.pentax..." and "refer" rubbish to disappear while the browser connects. After that you'll be left with a URL like this "http://forums.*************/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=37106323". Then simply replace the stars with "dpreview. com" (without the blank).

12-05-2010, 05:50 PM   #8
Veteran Member
falconeye's Avatar

Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Munich, Alps, Germany
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 6,871
Original Poster
QuoteOriginally posted by Class A Quote
Just right-click on the link and "Open in a New Window". Wait for all the "go.pentax..." and "refer" rubbish to disappear while the browser connects. After that you'll be left with a URL like this "http://forums.*************/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=37106323". Then simply replace the stars with "dpreview. com" (without the blank).
I know. But works in FF and used to work in IE. Now, in IE it's broken. Or more likely, my IE is broken. Anyway, unsolicited trouble.
12-05-2010, 06:29 PM   #9
Pentaxian
Class A's Avatar

Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Wellington, New Zealand
Posts: 11,250
QuoteOriginally posted by falconeye Quote
Anyway, unsolicited trouble.
+1
What I don't understand is that people will navigate to DPR nevertheless (either by using slightly modified links, or links through URL shorteners, or repairing broken links) and the only thing "gained" is a) unnecessary trouble for PF users and b) all that referral tracking stuff will not work anymore. So what's the point?

Anyhow, back on topic: Great work Falk!
12-05-2010, 06:41 PM   #10
Veteran Member
Kenn100D's Avatar

Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Paranaque City, Philippines
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 697
Hi Falk,
Thanks for the explanation. it looks like particles, but it seems a residue (dried up) of some sort embedded in the layers.
12-05-2010, 06:46 PM   #11
Veteran Member
Kenn100D's Avatar

Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Paranaque City, Philippines
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 697
Does anybody here have an electron microscope? i think we can see the problem more clearly.
12-05-2010, 06:56 PM   #12
Veteran Member
dgaies's Avatar

Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Maryland / Washington DC
Posts: 3,917
QuoteOriginally posted by Kenn100D Quote
Does anybody here have an electron microscope? i think we can see the problem more clearly.
Yes, actually, I do.

However, I'm pretty sure I'd had to remove the sensor assembly from the K-5 in order to fit in in the chamber. I can't be certain, but I think that would void my warranty
12-05-2010, 07:07 PM   #13
Site Supporter
Site Supporter
ManuH's Avatar

Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Montreal
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 1,249
Thanks Falk for this research.

Here is what I found in the middle of my sensor:
12-05-2010, 07:15 PM   #14
Veteran Member
ve2vfd's Avatar

Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Montreal, Canada
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 2,433
QuoteOriginally posted by ManuH Quote
Here is what I found in the middle of my sensor:
Join the club...

I got a feeling Pentax is going to have a very high return rate on the K5...

Pat
12-05-2010, 07:15 PM   #15
Site Supporter
Site Supporter
sholtzma's Avatar

Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Salisbury, NC
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 1,042
It's interesting enough reasoning (thanks, Falk) for me to ask if Pentax is aware of it. Are they?
Reply

Bookmarks
  • Submit Thread to Facebook Facebook
  • Submit Thread to Twitter Twitter
  • Submit Thread to Digg Digg
Tags - Make this thread easier to find by adding keywords to it!
camera, chapter, diameter, dslr, k-5, k-5 ii, k-5 iis, k5, light, pentax k-5, results, shadow, spot
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Some Advanced K-7 Questions jeffshaddix Pentax DSLR Discussion 8 08-11-2010 11:29 PM
Pentax k-7 too advanced for a beginner? MariesMeow Troubleshooting and Beginner Help 27 01-18-2010 10:18 AM
More Advanced Help Wih Stars Das Boot Photographic Technique 5 11-10-2009 04:01 PM
Question Where is Advanced Posting Screen? Tom C Site Suggestions and Help 1 06-12-2008 06:39 PM
Specialty Advanced Non-SLRs ugaarguy Pentax Compact Cameras 8 03-12-2007 04:44 PM



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 09:45 PM. | See also: NikonForums.com, CanonForums.com part of our network of photo forums!
  • Red (Default)
  • Green
  • Gray
  • Dark
  • Dark Yellow
  • Dark Blue
  • Old Red
  • Old Green
  • Old Gray
  • Dial-Up Style
Hello! It's great to see you back on the forum! Have you considered joining the community?
register
Creating a FREE ACCOUNT takes under a minute, removes ads, and lets you post! [Dismiss]
Top