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mgstaff · 08-23-2010, 07:13 AM

I have had my pentax k-x for less than 30 days and am disappointed to find that most of the pictures i have taken have white and black blocks in them that look like dead pixels on a tv screen, i cant find any explanation for this.

also sometimes half the picture is even grayed out!!

please advise

regards

Michael

Attached Images

Last edited by mgstaff; 08-23-2010 at 07:30 AM.

**frooggy** · 08-23-2010, 07:56 AM

Have you tried a different sd card? I would try that first to rule out card issues. Dosen't look like dead pixels because they are in different spots in different shots.

Jerome Smith · 08-23-2010, 08:21 AM

It doesn't look like dead pixels, more like loose dust particles on the sensor. Do a sensor cleaning with a rocket blower and shoot at a clear sky and see if the problem clears. You may have to do this a couple of times. It looks like the internal dust removal system is just moving the dust around.

rawr · 08-23-2010, 08:23 AM

Interesting.

Have you tried the pixel mapping feature (Menu > Setup > 4 > Pixel Mapping) on p-259 of the manual to see if that helped?

pxpaulx · 08-23-2010, 08:25 AM

Originally posted by frooggy

Have you tried a different sd card? I would try that first to rule out card issues. Dosen't look like dead pixels because they are in different spots in different shots.

This might be worth a try. Definitely not dead pixels since they are showing up randomly. I don't think dust would reveal itself in the form of straight white lines either! Other than the card, looks as though a warranty repair will likely be in order.

JeffJS · 08-23-2010, 08:41 AM

Originally posted by pxpaulx

This might be worth a try. Definitely not dead pixels since they are showing up randomly. I don't think dust would reveal itself in the form of straight white lines either! Other than the card, looks as though a warranty repair will likely be in order.

I've never seen dust show up White either. I cold believe however that it would be straight lines, depending on what it was. If you can return the camera for exchange, I would do so. Otherwise, send it in. It's highly unlikely that it would cause anything like this but are you using some sort of filter?

mgstaff · 08-23-2010, 08:42 AM

I have tried different SD cards, the reason i dont think it is dust and might be a warranty issue is that the specs are fairly consistent in shape and size and even orientation, they are all horizontal, about half an inch and either white or black.

when i get home i'm going to ship her out to the warranty service at pentax..... anyone else think its ridiculous that you have to pay for any amount of shipping involved in a defective camera?

Attached Images

Andi Lo · 08-23-2010, 08:52 AM

It's probably a rare type of sensor defect (never seen this before). If you send it in they'll definitely replace it.

As for the pictures taken so far that are affected, most of them can probably be fixed with clone tool

Cheers

JeffJS · 08-23-2010, 08:57 AM

The good news is that you can clone those spots out so your photos aren't completely useless.

If it were dust, it would be a consistent shape and size. The only thing that would change is how well defined it is based on lens aperture. I may or may not move around the sensor, depending on what you do between exposures. It most definitely would not show up white however.

Yes, I think it's ridiculous to have to pay for shipping but it's unlikely you're going to get around it. I still think you should try for an exchange from the place of purchase and let them deal with it. It isn't as if you've changed your mind about the camera, there is clearly something wrong with it and you've had it less than a month.

melander · 08-23-2010, 09:13 AM

Those are some horrible arrows!!

blende8 · 08-24-2010, 02:22 AM

Strange.
Never seen anything like this.

pxpaulx · 08-24-2010, 08:41 AM

Maybe it is the ghost in the machine trying to send us all a message.

danielausparis · 08-24-2010, 12:13 PM

To me it's obvious. You're watched constantly by either mini-drones of a secret CIA project, or by small cylindric aliens that try to understand what you're doing with a camera.

Please, please forgive my wrong sense of humor... I couln't resist. Seriously you should give this camera to repair.

hangu · 08-24-2010, 12:20 PM

Oh, cool, I love Tetris!

This is definitely not dust on the sensor. Looks like a sensor defect to me. I remember I think it was Peter Zack who was selling an old DSLR that had the same issue, albeit not to this extent. You'll have to get a warranty return on this, unfortunately.

kalison · 08-24-2010, 01:57 PM

Forget the lines, you've got arrows all over your photos! Did you see those?

Seriously though, send that in... very strange.

08-23-2010, 07:13 AM	#1
mgstaff New Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 2	PENTAX K-X NOISE - White and Black Blocks - problem I have had my pentax k-x for less than 30 days and am disappointed to find that most of the pictures i have taken have white and black blocks in them that look like dead pixels on a tv screen, i cant find any explanation for this. also sometimes half the picture is even grayed out!! please advise regards Michael Attached Images Last edited by mgstaff; 08-23-2010 at 07:30 AM.

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08-23-2010, 07:56 AM	#2
frooggy Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Harrisburg, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 104	Have you tried a different sd card? I would try that first to rule out card issues. Dosen't look like dead pixels because they are in different spots in different shots.

08-23-2010, 08:21 AM	#3
Jerome Smith Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Cocoa,FL Posts: 41	It doesn't look like dead pixels, more like loose dust particles on the sensor. Do a sensor cleaning with a rocket blower and shoot at a clear sky and see if the problem clears. You may have to do this a couple of times. It looks like the internal dust removal system is just moving the dust around.

08-23-2010, 08:23 AM	#4
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	Interesting. Have you tried the pixel mapping feature (Menu > Setup > 4 > Pixel Mapping) on p-259 of the manual to see if that helped?

08-23-2010, 08:25 AM	#5
pxpaulx Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Twin Cities, MN Posts: 2,867	Originally posted by frooggy Have you tried a different sd card? I would try that first to rule out card issues. Dosen't look like dead pixels because they are in different spots in different shots. This might be worth a try. Definitely not dead pixels since they are showing up randomly. I don't think dust would reveal itself in the form of straight white lines either! Other than the card, looks as though a warranty repair will likely be in order.

08-23-2010, 08:41 AM	#6
JeffJS Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Michigan, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,484	Originally posted by pxpaulx This might be worth a try. Definitely not dead pixels since they are showing up randomly. I don't think dust would reveal itself in the form of straight white lines either! Other than the card, looks as though a warranty repair will likely be in order. I've never seen dust show up White either. I cold believe however that it would be straight lines, depending on what it was. If you can return the camera for exchange, I would do so. Otherwise, send it in. It's highly unlikely that it would cause anything like this but are you using some sort of filter?

08-23-2010, 08:42 AM	#7
mgstaff New Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 2 Original Poster	I have tried different SD cards, the reason i dont think it is dust and might be a warranty issue is that the specs are fairly consistent in shape and size and even orientation, they are all horizontal, about half an inch and either white or black. when i get home i'm going to ship her out to the warranty service at pentax..... anyone else think its ridiculous that you have to pay for any amount of shipping involved in a defective camera? Attached Images

08-23-2010, 08:52 AM	#8
Andi Lo Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia Posts: 2,924	It's probably a rare type of sensor defect (never seen this before). If you send it in they'll definitely replace it. As for the pictures taken so far that are affected, most of them can probably be fixed with clone tool Cheers

08-23-2010, 08:57 AM	#9
JeffJS Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Michigan, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,484	The good news is that you can clone those spots out so your photos aren't completely useless. If it were dust, it would be a consistent shape and size. The only thing that would change is how well defined it is based on lens aperture. I may or may not move around the sensor, depending on what you do between exposures. It most definitely would not show up white however. Yes, I think it's ridiculous to have to pay for shipping but it's unlikely you're going to get around it. I still think you should try for an exchange from the place of purchase and let them deal with it. It isn't as if you've changed your mind about the camera, there is clearly something wrong with it and you've had it less than a month.

08-23-2010, 09:13 AM	#10
melander Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Sweden, Umea Posts: 876	Those are some horrible arrows!!

08-24-2010, 02:22 AM	#11
blende8 Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Bremen, Germany Photos: Albums Posts: 1,521	Strange. Never seen anything like this.

08-24-2010, 08:41 AM	#12
pxpaulx Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Twin Cities, MN Posts: 2,867	Maybe it is the ghost in the machine trying to send us all a message.

08-24-2010, 12:13 PM	#13
danielausparis Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 94	To me it's obvious. You're watched constantly by either mini-drones of a secret CIA project, or by small cylindric aliens that try to understand what you're doing with a camera. Please, please forgive my wrong sense of humor... I couln't resist. Seriously you should give this camera to repair.

08-24-2010, 12:20 PM	#14
hangu Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: NYC Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,071	Oh, cool, I love Tetris! This is definitely not dust on the sensor. Looks like a sensor defect to me. I remember I think it was Peter Zack who was selling an old DSLR that had the same issue, albeit not to this extent. You'll have to get a warranty return on this, unfortunately.

08-24-2010, 01:57 PM	#15
kalison Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Utah Posts: 376	Forget the lines, you've got arrows all over your photos! Did you see those? Seriously though, send that in... very strange.

PENTAX K-X NOISE - White and Black Blocks - problem

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