D700 issue/malfunction: yellowish bar in photos

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D700 issue/malfunction: yellowish bar in photos

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Exen

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Joined: May '09
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Alright.

Here's what's happened so far:

I told Nikon about the issue, and they sent back with what I wrote above. Then they said this:

"The colder temperature, may have affected the camera as it came inside to the warmer air, like going from cooler air outside to an indoor pool condensation can occur if the camera is not properly protected. If you can see if you get the same issue, if it does occur again, keep in mind the temperature outdoors. Typically it the sudden change in temperature that can possibly cause issues"

And gave me a link on how to care for my Nikon camera... [link: http://support.nikontech.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/16567

Which I kinda resented. I also didn't like that this was written off so easily, so I wrote:

"Is this the conclusion after inspecting my photos or the conclusion based on my account (which could possibly be inaccurate in some way)? I need to make sure that there isn't a defect with the camera. I have two jobs this weekend and can't afford to be plagued with yellow lines in my photos."

Then Nikon responded:

"This is based on the conditions you were shooting in, we can take a look at the camera to verify it is working to factory standards. Please follow the instructions below..."

And tell me how to send it in. I'm kinda ticked off about this. First, it was the cold weather, so it's nothing to worry about. Then I ask, "wait, are you sure?" and they say, "um...send it in." It's like, seriously, we're dealing with a really expensive piece of equipment here that I need to be working. If it does work, I can't afford to send it in, and if it doesn't, I can't afford not to. But arbitrarily saying "no, it's fine" and then "yes, send it in" is so strange to me! Basically, if it happens again this weekend, I'll just have to work with it - but I'll send it into Nikon afterward. This issue is strange all around.

I also tried to reproduce the issue again last night - same memory card, same everything. No signs of any problems. Perhaps it was just a really, really strange fluke? Hopefully. Thanks for the help, everyone!

Posted 3 years ago #
Exen

member
Joined: May '09
Posts: 17
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Alright.

Here's what's happened so far:

I told Nikon about the issue, and they sent back with what I wrote above. Then they said this:

"The colder temperature, may have affected the camera as it came inside to the warmer air, like going from cooler air outside to an indoor pool condensation can occur if the camera is not properly protected. If you can see if you get the same issue, if it does occur again, keep in mind the temperature outdoors. Typically it the sudden change in temperature that can possibly cause issues"

And gave me a link on how to care for my Nikon camera... [link: http://support.nikontech.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/16567

Which I kinda resented. I also didn't like that this was written off so easily, so I wrote:

"Is this the conclusion after inspecting my photos or the conclusion based on my account (which could possibly be inaccurate in some way)? I need to make sure that there isn't a defect with the camera. I have two jobs this weekend and can't afford to be plagued with yellow lines in my photos."

Then Nikon responded:

"This is based on the conditions you were shooting in, we can take a look at the camera to verify it is working to factory standards. Please follow the instructions below..."

And tell me how to send it in. I'm kinda ticked off about this. First, it was the cold weather, so it's nothing to worry about. Then I ask, "wait, are you sure?" and they say, "um...send it in." It's like, seriously, we're dealing with a really expensive piece of equipment here that I need to be working. If it does work, I can't afford to send it in, and if it doesn't, I can't afford not to. But arbitrarily saying "no, it's fine" and then "yes, send it in" is so strange to me! Basically, if it happens again this weekend, I'll just have to work with it - but I'll send it into Nikon afterward. This issue is strange all around.

I also tried to reproduce the issue again last night - same memory card, same everything. No signs of any problems. Perhaps it was just a really, really strange fluke? Hopefully. Thanks for the help, everyone!

Posted 3 years ago #
Exen

member
Joined: May '09
Posts: 17
offline

Alright.

Here's what's happened so far:

I told Nikon about the issue, and they sent back with what I wrote above. Then they said this:

"The colder temperature, may have affected the camera as it came inside to the warmer air, like going from cooler air outside to an indoor pool condensation can occur if the camera is not properly protected. If you can see if you get the same issue, if it does occur again, keep in mind the temperature outdoors. Typically it the sudden change in temperature that can possibly cause issues"

And gave me a link on how to care for my Nikon camera... [link: http://support.nikontech.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/16567

Which I kinda resented. I also didn't like that this was written off so easily, so I wrote:

"Is this the conclusion after inspecting my photos or the conclusion based on my account (which could possibly be inaccurate in some way)? I need to make sure that there isn't a defect with the camera. I have two jobs this weekend and can't afford to be plagued with yellow lines in my photos."

Then Nikon responded:

"This is based on the conditions you were shooting in, we can take a look at the camera to verify it is working to factory standards. Please follow the instructions below..."

And tell me how to send it in. I'm kinda ticked off about this. First, it was the cold weather, so it's nothing to worry about. Then I ask, "wait, are you sure?" and they say, "um...send it in." It's like, seriously, we're dealing with a really expensive piece of equipment here that I need to be working. If it does work, I can't afford to send it in, and if it doesn't, I can't afford not to. But arbitrarily saying "no, it's fine" and then "yes, send it in" is so strange to me! Basically, if it happens again this weekend, I'll just have to work with it - but I'll send it into Nikon afterward. This issue is strange all around.

I also tried to reproduce the issue again last night - same memory card, same everything. No signs of any problems. Perhaps it was just a really, really strange fluke? Hopefully. Thanks for the help, everyone!

Posted 3 years ago #
Exen

member
Joined: May '09
Posts: 17
offline

Alright.

Here's what's happened so far:

I told Nikon about the issue, and they sent back with what I wrote above. Then they said this:

"The colder temperature, may have affected the camera as it came inside to the warmer air, like going from cooler air outside to an indoor pool condensation can occur if the camera is not properly protected. If you can see if you get the same issue, if it does occur again, keep in mind the temperature outdoors. Typically it the sudden change in temperature that can possibly cause issues"

And gave me a link on how to care for my Nikon camera... [link: http://support.nikontech.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/16567

Which I kinda resented. I also didn't like that this was written off so easily, so I wrote:

"Is this the conclusion after inspecting my photos or the conclusion based on my account (which could possibly be inaccurate in some way)? I need to make sure that there isn't a defect with the camera. I have two jobs this weekend and can't afford to be plagued with yellow lines in my photos."

Posted 3 years ago #
Exen

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Joined: May '09
Posts: 17
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I've been trying to post a reply...is there a character posting limit? If so, what is it?

Posted 3 years ago #
monty11

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Joined: Mar '09
Posts: 798
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No there isn't any limit. However the forum has some hickups sometimes, if you can't post and really want to, then save the text somewhere and come back later.

Regarding this 0 degree limit for cameras, I think that the answer is obvious: when freezing water expands in volume. Unless we are talking about a waterproof camera, no manufacturer will take the risk of guaranteeing flawless operation below 0 degrees (can anyone tell me why 32 is such a special number, that it was chosen as the freezing point? and does anything happen at 0 degrees F?) because water can get into numerous places, freeze and disrupt the camera's operations.

Posted 3 years ago #
soap

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Joined: Jul '09
Posts: 606
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Exen - my posts with URLs often vanish.
Try tinyURL links - that fixed the problem for me once.

monty11 - the F scale is more F'd than you'd F'ing believe.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fahrenheit

Posted 3 years ago #
Exen

member
Joined: May '09
Posts: 17
offline

Alright.

Here's what's happened so far:

I told Nikon about the issue, and they sent back with what I wrote above. Then they said this:

"The colder temperature, may have affected the camera as it came inside to the warmer air, like going from cooler air outside to an indoor pool condensation can occur if the camera is not properly protected. If you can see if you get the same issue, if it does occur again, keep in mind the temperature outdoors. Typically it the sudden change in temperature that can possibly cause issues"

And gave me a link on how to care for my Nikon camera... [link: http://support.nikontech.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/16567

Which I kinda resented. I also didn't like that this was written off so easily, so I wrote:

"Is this the conclusion after inspecting my photos or the conclusion based on my account (which could possibly be inaccurate in some way)? I need to make sure that there isn't a defect with the camera. I have two jobs this weekend and can't afford to be plagued with yellow lines in my photos."

Then Nikon responded:

"This is based on the conditions you were shooting in, we can take a look at the camera to verify it is working to factory standards. Please follow the instructions below..."

And tell me how to send it in. I'm kinda ticked off about this. First, it was the cold weather, so it's nothing to worry about. Then I ask, "wait, are you sure?" and they say, "um...send it in." It's like, seriously, we're dealing with a really expensive piece of equipment here that I need to be working. If it does work, I can't afford to send it in, and if it doesn't, I can't afford not to. But arbitrarily saying "no, it's fine" and then "yes, send it in" is so strange to me! Basically, if it happens again this weekend, I'll just have to work with it - but I'll send it into Nikon afterward. This issue is strange all around.

I also tried to reproduce the issue again last night - same memory card, same everything. No signs of any problems. Perhaps it was just a really, really strange fluke? Hopefully. Thanks for the help, everyone!

Posted 3 years ago #
Exen

member
Joined: May '09
Posts: 17
offline

Alright.

Here's what's happened so far:

I told Nikon about the issue, and they sent back with what I wrote above. Then they said this:

"The colder temperature, may have affected the camera as it came inside to the warmer air, like going from cooler air outside to an indoor pool condensation can occur if the camera is not properly protected. If you can see if you get the same issue, if it does occur again, keep in mind the temperature outdoors. Typically it the sudden change in temperature that can possibly cause issues"

And gave me a link on how to care for my Nikon camera...

Which I kinda resented. I also didn't like that this was written off so easily, so I wrote:

"Is this the conclusion after inspecting my photos or the conclusion based on my account (which could possibly be inaccurate in some way)? I need to make sure that there isn't a defect with the camera. I have two jobs this weekend and can't afford to be plagued with yellow lines in my photos."

Then Nikon responded:

"This is based on the conditions you were shooting in, we can take a look at the camera to verify it is working to factory standards. Please follow the instructions below..."

And tell me how to send it in. I'm kinda ticked off about this. First, it was the cold weather, so it's nothing to worry about. Then I ask, "wait, are you sure?" and they say, "um...send it in." It's like, seriously, we're dealing with a really expensive piece of equipment here that I need to be working. If it does work, I can't afford to send it in, and if it doesn't, I can't afford not to. But arbitrarily saying "no, it's fine" and then "yes, send it in" is so strange to me! Basically, if it happens again this weekend, I'll just have to work with it - but I'll send it into Nikon afterward. This issue is strange all around.

I also tried to reproduce the issue again last night - same memory card, same everything. No signs of any problems. Perhaps it was just a really, really strange fluke? Hopefully. Thanks for the help, everyone!

Posted 3 years ago #
soap

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Joined: Jul '09
Posts: 606
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If it were weather related how come it came and went frame-by-frame with no middle ground?
Shenanigans!

Cynical soap says they know damn well that an undiagnosed intermittent problem can only be fixed by replacing parts until you don't see the problem ever again - and that is expensive and time consuming. Frickin blaming you is bogus.

Posted 3 years ago #
Exen

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Joined: May '09
Posts: 17
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Additionally, for them to say "Working temperature for the cameras are 32 degrees, so the colder air may have affected the operation of the camera" seems bogus for a few reasons: 1) The D700 is an amazing beast. 'nuff said. and 2) *it worked perfectly outside*. The D700, being the beast that it is, handled the weather just fine. It was when I went inside that the trouble happened.

(note that I understand perfectly well that the weather could have been the issue (which would probably mean there is an issue with the seals on the camera, I would think); indeed, I was the one who brought the idea to Nikon. But if their point is that it doesn't work in 32 degree weather, my point is that it both does and did, and that is why it's not the issue directly).

Posted 3 years ago #
NikoDoby

The Terminator
Joined: May '09
Posts: 6,598
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It might have been a bit of "fog" on your sensor. This could of happen because you went from a very cold place and then quickly into a "warm" room. That makes sense to me and since you haven't had an issue since then maybe that's what happened.

I strongly recommend that you never go to a paid event with only one camera Exen. Always carry a backup. Two of everything. You were lucky this time that your D700 didn't totally freak out on you, but what happens when another unforeseen event happens? Nikon builds great cameras but that's not to say you could trip and drop it and have something break. Not saying there's anything wrong with your D700, I never really thought this was a fault with the camera, just saying you should be better prepared for such things.

Sounds to me that Nikon is offering to check out your camera even though they seem to think it was a weather related issue and there's nothing wrong with it. Nothing sinister about that.

Posted 3 years ago #
soap

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As was said in the first post "What I figured out I could do was take two quick shots: one shot would have the yellow bar and one would be clean."

Nikon also, basically, was alleging fog, and that's why I called shenanigans.

Forget for a moment that the sensor is one of the heat sources inside the camera, and that's some fog (Would do John Carpenter proud) which comes and goes and comes and goes on a patterned basis. I don't buy it. I've had condensation on film before during exposure, and it didn't color-cast either. Nice clean lines of condensation at that.

;)

Posted 3 years ago #
Exen

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Joined: May '09
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NikoDoby: my partner was/is using a D300s, so there's no problems there. Additionally, I have back up batteries, flash, memory cards, and plenty of lenses to go around. Quite covered.

The reason I was upset with Nikon isn't because they offered to take a look at my camera, it's that they first said it was probably the weather, then I inquired as to how they reached this conclusion, and they responded with wanting me to send it in. It was like a joke: "Nope, nothing wrong with the camera. Definitely the weather." "How do you know that? How did you decide that?" "Um...send it in and we'll look at it".

So, basically, had I not said anything further, they wouldn't have offered to take a look? This is not how I anticipated Nikon working on a D700 issue.

Once again, pointing the problem to the weather is easy enough. As I have said, that's what I was blaming it on at first. These issues still remain: 1) it did not malfunction in the cold (despite Nikon claiming a 32 degree tolerance) 2) it would randomly malfunction inside: one picture would be wrecked, the next would be fine. 3) the issue eventually went away 4) and subsequently came back (and once more went away) 5) and finally, I attempted to reproduce this issue to no avail. One would think if it was the weather (cold to warm places), I would have been able to reproduce it.

And I don't know why *fog* would produce a *yellow* band.

soap: :)

Posted 3 years ago #
CassiusRoads

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Joined: Oct '09
Posts: 15
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I had this exact problem with my d80 under fluorescent lighting on one or two occasions. Cold was not a factor, nor was anything on the sensor. I figured that it had to do with the shutter speed and the lighting conditions. I just did a google search and came up with this thread that may be useful:
http://photo.net/canon-eos-digital-camera-forum/00KEpj

Posted 3 years ago #
NikoDoby

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Joined: May '09
Posts: 6,598
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I like your explanation CassiusRoads. Shutter speed was at 1/2500 at f/1.8 and ISO 4000. I keep saying it but I don't think there's anything wrong with your D700 Exen but if Nikon is offering to take a look at it then I'm not sure why your upset about that? Just send it in to them? What's wrong with what they suggested or didn't suggest to you? Just send it in.

Posted 3 years ago #
Exen

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Joined: May '09
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Great, CassiusRoads! Thanks for that! Before starting this thread, I did a search on Google myself, but your search abilities appear to be far superior to mine.

I'm going to conclude with that (unless, of course, I see the issue again this weekend - but I will definitely take note of lights this time!). Thanks a lot, everyone!

Posted 3 years ago #
NikoDoby

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Joined: May '09
Posts: 6,598
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Good luck forum brother :^) Keep us informed.

Posted 3 years ago #
LukaClick

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Joined: Nov '09
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i ve just had similar troubles with brand new d700 and i was terrified :)... I also noticed that this problem depends on card that I m using, so now, one card is still giving the same yellow line on about 2 or 3, of every 10 shots... when i use another card, yellow line vanishes, then i saw this thread, and found some similar explanations from Johndbr, so i guess that the cf card could make some trouble... i m going to format the suspicious card now and see what is going to hapen. it is a bit disapointing from nikon d700 to have this problems, my old d70s never gave me this much headache ;)....

Cheers :)

Posted 3 years ago #
LukaClick

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Joined: Nov '09
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i tried to reproduce on formated suspicious card and just couldnt... i guess it s because of the card... it s working fine now..

Posted 3 years ago #
Meinrad

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Joined: Nov '09
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Do you get the yellow line under all lighting conditions, or only with fluorescent / LED type lighting? I ask this, because I can create a yellow bar any time I want (on my D700) if I use very short exposure times when the only light source is a computer screen. After building myself a little strobe interruptor (in essence a fast-rotating disk with a hole in it), I can recreate the same yellow line just for my eyes. In other words: it's not the camera!!!

Posted 3 years ago #
Micah

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Joined: Dec '09
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Well I hope this has been figured out already, but if not, I'll give you the answer. (and tests to reproduce it!)

This is absolutely about florescent lighting!

Have you noticed a hum from older florescent lights? That hum is electricity passing through the tube many times per second. As the light passes through the tube it charges phosphors which emit light. You never get true continuous light from florescents. They used to be around 60Hz, but I suspect (from the absence of noise) that newer compact bulbs are higher frequency.

You can see large tube florescents give odd effects when moving in videos, and often you can see the effect with the naked eye.

The problem for still cameras is that at higher shutter speeds, you are capturing part of a cycle. You can make the effect disappear by using a slower shutter speed (definitely less than 250th...sometimes as low as 60th for really bad ones.) The reason you get color bars that run the length of the frame is that for shutter speeds over 250th, the shutter works by dragging a slit of open shutter across the frame. Different parts of the sensor are being exposed to different parts of the cycle over about a 250th of a second.

This makes proper exposure impossible. Each cycle will shift color over it's course, so it's also impossible for proper color balance.

So the solution is: under florescents of any sort, keep your shutter speeds low. Test when possible to find out how low. If you need a speed higher than 250th, you're stuck with lighting purely by flash/strobe/hotlights/whatever you bring.

A possible fix for your old images that you want to save is lightroom or photoshop using the latest version of ACR, and you can use the virtual grad tool to add a color grad to the image.

Hope this helps. Good luck!

Posted 3 years ago #
kanuck

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Wow I was a little late reading this topic but its very interesting. Hopefully the problem has been sorted by now. I would have guessed it was a heat problem either from the temperature changes (maybe air conditioning inside and +35 degrees outside) or something with the interior lighting. Scary stuff I'm getting a D700 very soon.

Where the Images usable after post processing software was done like Lightroom or CS4?

Posted 3 years ago #
optimaforever

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Joined: Nov '09
Posts: 85
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I guess I'd use color balance layer adjustment with a gradient mask in PS CS4.
this was a very interesting thread.
thanks a lot!

Posted 3 years ago #
extrahumane

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Joined: Oct '10
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Wait a minuet! I have the same friggin problem, but It is in normal weather. I found the problem to be the fluorescent lights do this wave of yellow. If you notice you take several pictures with a burst you will see that One or more of the photos will be clean. I shoot with a D7000 and D90. Its not the glass I use either. Also, when I flipped to video mode I see this horrible looking vertical streaks of yellow light. I tried to adjust the white ballace and set the ballance to 4K kelvin but still these yellow lines. I put my camera in the shade and even in the dark the lines are prominent.

It looks like the problem is the frequency of the lights or wavelengths. Please anyone with more information please help.

Posted 2 years ago #