Nightmare lines on images - sensor problem?

[Andy C]

Hi All,

My first post to TPF is one of desperation.

I've been shooting underwater for several years using a Canon EOS D Mark II in a housing with two Sea and Sea Strobes and various lenses without issues. However, many of the shots from my last diving trip are ruined from what appear to be digitally generated lines running horizontally through each image, regardless of which lens I used.

The Canon repair centre here in Hong Kong is very good but thought it was a sensor problem, and were reluctant for their technicians to take a thorough look as they no longer carry spares for this model (my body was manufactured in 2004), and so would not be able to repair if it was the sensor.

My local camera store was certain the problem could be fixed by cleaning the sensor and sold me a kit to do so which I did (Rollei Sensor Cleaning Set). I used the wet cleaning option. I did a few test shots after that outdoors and could not see any lines.

However, I dived again today and the lines reappeared on many images (but not all - at least not to the naked eye) , particularly it seems on dark uniform backgrounds. The lines are not in the same places on each affected image and on some images the lines are not horizontal but curve. The camera was set to Manual, ISO 200, shutter 200 and varied f-stops between 9 and 14, using a recently professionally cleaned Canon 100m macro lens.

I would be very grateful for advice on whether this seems to be a defective sensor. If it is, are there specialist outfits that could change a sensor on a old warhorse like this?

Many thanks in advance,

Andy

 

[dennybeall]

In my opinion the trouble is not optical in nature. It's related to the data being written from the sensor to the memory. The lines are too consistent to be optical.

 

[tirediron]

I agree with Denny, but just to be sure, do a couple of test shots with other lenses and vary aperture from wide open to fully stopped down. If there's no change in the "quality" of the lines, it's almost certainly sensor related.

Also make sure you try a different memory card to completely eliminate that variable.

No idea if replacement is a possibility or not.

 

[Designer]

Stuff wears out. Stuff like high-tech electronics.

 

[Andy C]

Thanks folks.

Tried again with different lens and memory card, and f from low to high, outside the housing and no strobes. Lines still appearing.

So it does appear to be the sensor, or how the data if written from the sensor to memory card

.

Anybody know anybody able to replace a sensor on a Canon EOS D Mark II?

Cheers

 

[Andy C]

Canon EOS 1D Mark II ...

 

[KmH]

Canon can replace the sensor.

The image sensor is the single most expensive part of the camera.

 

[bratkinson]

I'll take a wild guess that someone cleaned the sensor with a liquid cleaner and those are streaks of residue cleaner.

But just to prove it IS the sensor, download the RAW images and process those on your computer. If the streaks are still there, then it's the sensor. Using the RAW eliminates the possibility of failing in-camera RAW to JPG conversion firmware (any of a number of possible causes).

 

[rosh4u]

I faced the same issue with my Canon EOS and it was really irritating for me to capture clicks with those lines! But fortunately for me due to some policy of Warranty cards, company gave me replacement for the same