Corrupted photo files - faulty memory card

Dericali · 05-20-2018, 01:28 AM

I did a job shooting a trade fair. A couple of photos came out corrupted in a way I have never seen on my K1 before. I was shooting with the 15-30mm and bracketing.
This is clearly not a optical phenomenon, I'm guessing it's caused by the purple LEDs that were mounted on the roof of the stand?
Photo details: ISO 100, 23mm, f9, 1/10sec.
Note: I have blurred out the corporate logos, so ignore that.

Honestly I think it looks kind of cool but it's not what I was going for.... Luckily it was just two out of many photos and didn't affect the final set.

This is a first for me, but I've noticed in the past that the K1 doesn't seem to like coloured LEDs at all.

(Edit: updated thread name in light of later information).

Attached Images

View Picture EXIF

View Picture EXIF

Last edited by Dericali; 05-20-2018 at 01:56 AM.

**BigMackCam** · 05-20-2018, 01:33 AM

That is bizarre

Were you using electronic shutter, by any chance?

Dericali · 05-20-2018, 01:35 AM

Originally posted by BigMackCam

That is bizarre

Were you using electronic shutter, by any chance?

No, mechanical shutter. I was using bracket mode, with the remote controller.

Dericali · 05-20-2018, 01:36 AM

another detail

Attached Images

**BigMackCam** · 05-20-2018, 01:38 AM

I'm tempted to think it's a memory card issue. I don't suppose you wrote your files to both cards, so you can compare both copies to see if they're the same?

Adam · 05-20-2018, 01:42 AM

Very weird! Was this in jpeg or raw, or both?

I agree, it could well be a memory card thing.

Dericali · 05-20-2018, 01:53 AM

Originally posted by BigMackCam

I'm tempted to think it's a memory card issue. I don't suppose you wrote your files to both cards, so you can compare both copies to see if they're the same?

You're right, it was the memory card! Only appears on the images on one of the cards I recorded to.

Do I bin the card? It was only an issue on 2 photos of around 800...

rawr · 05-20-2018, 01:56 AM

Do they look like this when viewed on the camera rear screen, or only after you have processed them?

Also in one of the EXIF's I'm seeing:
ICC Profile Name: ProPhoto RGB
which may have something to do with the issue. Maybe an out-of-gamut problem.

**BigMackCam** · 05-20-2018, 02:02 AM

Originally posted by Dericali

You're right, it was the memory card! Only appears on the images on one of the cards I recorded to.

Do I bin the card? It was only an issue on 2 photos of around 800...

You could try doing a full format of the card (not a quick format, but one where the data is overwritten) using SD Association's formatting utility and see how you get on after that. But if it were me and I was depending on my cards for work, I'd bin it or have it replaced under warranty if possible. I'm pretty sure that some of the more reputable card manufacturers (SanDisk comes to mind) have pretty liberal warranties, so it's worth checking.

If you switch to a different card and this ever happens again with the same slot, it might be a camera problem. I think that's highly unlikely, but just bear it in mind.

Dericali · 05-20-2018, 02:10 AM

Originally posted by rawr

Do they look like this when viewed on the camera rear screen, or only after you have processed them?

Also in one of the EXIF's I'm seeing:
ICC Profile Name: ProPhoto RGB
which may have something to do with the issue. Maybe an out-of-gamut problem.

It doesn't appear on the camera screen, it also doesn't appear on the preview in finder (Mac), but it appears when I open it in LR or ACR.

**BigMackCam** · 05-20-2018, 02:17 AM

Originally posted by Dericali

It doesn't appear on the camera screen, it also doesn't appear on the preview in finder (Mac), but it appears when I open it in LR or ACR.

Assuming you're shooting RAW, it's probably the RAW image that is corrupted. When you view the image on the camera's screen or in software preview, you're seeing the embedded JPEG preview.

One other possibility (though an unlikely one, given that the images on the second card are OK) is that something in Lightroom or ACR has become corrupted. I run Linux, and use a programme called "digiKam" for my library management. I recently had an issue where some of the preview images in a set I took with my Q7 had all sorts of weird magenta lines and other "corruption". I thought it was a problem with the card, but when I previewed the images in other software, or opened them for editing in Darktable, everything looked fine. I re-installed digiKam, and the problem disappeared. So, it's just possible that you have a similar issue. But, as I said, given that the images on your second card are fine, I'm pretty sure it's the card at fault and not your software.

rawr · 05-20-2018, 03:32 AM

Originally posted by BigMackCam

something in Lightroom or ACR

It is indeed always a good idea to check with another viewing program.

How do the DNGs look when opened in the Pentax Digital Camera Utility software that came with the K-1? Or Capture One, or DxO, or even something like FastRAWViewer?

Dericali · 05-20-2018, 04:40 AM

Originally posted by rawr

It is indeed always a good idea to check with another viewing program.

How do the DNGs look when opened in the Pentax Digital Camera Utility software that came with the K-1? Or Capture One, or DxO, or even something like FastRAWViewer?

I don't have any other viewing programme currently installed.

Here's a raw file in case anyone else is interested in checking. Update your browser to use Google Drive - Google Drive Help

Given that it only affects an inconsequential number of images it's more a curiosity than a worry.

**BigMackCam** · 05-20-2018, 04:54 AM

I've just tried opening it in Darktable. The embedded JPEG preview is fine, but the RAW file shows the corruption.

Either retire that card, or try formatting it fully using the utility I linked to, and give it another go... but don't depend on it for professional use until you're sure it's ok.

rawr · 05-20-2018, 05:01 AM

Originally posted by Dericali

Here's a raw file in case anyone else is interested

Thanks. But that DNG has already been through some Adobe software, so it is already processed and kind of incomplete. All of the thousands of data points for the K-1 metering sensor, for example, have been totally zeroed out, which I have seen ACR do before, for example.

FastRAWViewer also thinks the RAW file is damaged, which implies either Adobe's RAW processing damaged it, or the card is indeed failing.

05-20-2018, 01:42 AM	#6
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	Very weird! Was this in jpeg or raw, or both? I agree, it could well be a memory card thing. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

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05-20-2018, 01:33 AM	#2
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,674	That is bizarre Were you using electronic shutter, by any chance?

05-20-2018, 01:35 AM	#3
Dericali Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Berlin Posts: 298 Original Poster	Originally posted by BigMackCam That is bizarre Were you using electronic shutter, by any chance? No, mechanical shutter. I was using bracket mode, with the remote controller.

05-20-2018, 01:36 AM	#4
Dericali Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Berlin Posts: 298 Original Poster	another detail Attached Images

05-20-2018, 01:38 AM	#5
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,674	I'm tempted to think it's a memory card issue. I don't suppose you wrote your files to both cards, so you can compare both copies to see if they're the same?

05-20-2018, 01:53 AM	#7
Dericali Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Berlin Posts: 298 Original Poster	Originally posted by BigMackCam I'm tempted to think it's a memory card issue. I don't suppose you wrote your files to both cards, so you can compare both copies to see if they're the same? You're right, it was the memory card! Only appears on the images on one of the cards I recorded to. Do I bin the card? It was only an issue on 2 photos of around 800...

05-20-2018, 01:56 AM	#8
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	Do they look like this when viewed on the camera rear screen, or only after you have processed them? Also in one of the EXIF's I'm seeing: ICC Profile Name: ProPhoto RGB which may have something to do with the issue. Maybe an out-of-gamut problem.

05-20-2018, 02:02 AM	#9
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,674	Originally posted by Dericali You're right, it was the memory card! Only appears on the images on one of the cards I recorded to. Do I bin the card? It was only an issue on 2 photos of around 800... You could try doing a full format of the card (not a quick format, but one where the data is overwritten) using SD Association's formatting utility and see how you get on after that. But if it were me and I was depending on my cards for work, I'd bin it or have it replaced under warranty if possible. I'm pretty sure that some of the more reputable card manufacturers (SanDisk comes to mind) have pretty liberal warranties, so it's worth checking. If you switch to a different card and this ever happens again with the same slot, it might be a camera problem. I think that's highly unlikely, but just bear it in mind.

05-20-2018, 02:10 AM	#10
Dericali Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Berlin Posts: 298 Original Poster	Originally posted by rawr Do they look like this when viewed on the camera rear screen, or only after you have processed them? Also in one of the EXIF's I'm seeing: ICC Profile Name: ProPhoto RGB which may have something to do with the issue. Maybe an out-of-gamut problem. It doesn't appear on the camera screen, it also doesn't appear on the preview in finder (Mac), but it appears when I open it in LR or ACR.

05-20-2018, 02:17 AM	#11
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,674	Originally posted by Dericali It doesn't appear on the camera screen, it also doesn't appear on the preview in finder (Mac), but it appears when I open it in LR or ACR. Assuming you're shooting RAW, it's probably the RAW image that is corrupted. When you view the image on the camera's screen or in software preview, you're seeing the embedded JPEG preview. One other possibility (though an unlikely one, given that the images on the second card are OK) is that something in Lightroom or ACR has become corrupted. I run Linux, and use a programme called "digiKam" for my library management. I recently had an issue where some of the preview images in a set I took with my Q7 had all sorts of weird magenta lines and other "corruption". I thought it was a problem with the card, but when I previewed the images in other software, or opened them for editing in Darktable, everything looked fine. I re-installed digiKam, and the problem disappeared. So, it's just possible that you have a similar issue. But, as I said, given that the images on your second card are fine, I'm pretty sure it's the card at fault and not your software.

05-20-2018, 03:32 AM	#12
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	Originally posted by BigMackCam something in Lightroom or ACR It is indeed always a good idea to check with another viewing program. How do the DNGs look when opened in the Pentax Digital Camera Utility software that came with the K-1? Or Capture One, or DxO, or even something like FastRAWViewer?

05-20-2018, 04:40 AM	#13
Dericali Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Berlin Posts: 298 Original Poster	Originally posted by rawr It is indeed always a good idea to check with another viewing program. How do the DNGs look when opened in the Pentax Digital Camera Utility software that came with the K-1? Or Capture One, or DxO, or even something like FastRAWViewer? I don't have any other viewing programme currently installed. Here's a raw file in case anyone else is interested in checking. Update your browser to use Google Drive - Google Drive Help Given that it only affects an inconsequential number of images it's more a curiosity than a worry.

05-20-2018, 04:54 AM	#14
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,674	I've just tried opening it in Darktable. The embedded JPEG preview is fine, but the RAW file shows the corruption. Either retire that card, or try formatting it fully using the utility I linked to, and give it another go... but don't depend on it for professional use until you're sure it's ok.

05-20-2018, 05:01 AM	#15
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	Originally posted by Dericali Here's a raw file in case anyone else is interested Thanks. But that DNG has already been through some Adobe software, so it is already processed and kind of incomplete. All of the thousands of data points for the K-1 metering sensor, for example, have been totally zeroed out, which I have seen ACR do before, for example. FastRAWViewer also thinks the RAW file is damaged, which implies either Adobe's RAW processing damaged it, or the card is indeed failing.