New D200 Dead Pixel

<p>I noticed an unexpected black spec on an early image out of my D200

the other day. Wasn't sure what it was so I did a little research on

hot,dead, & stuck pixels.

 

<p>Using the D200's Multiple Exposure feature (shooting menu) to

create an "ubermask" (see: <a

href="http://www.cs.wisc.edu/~jduffy/699/" target="_blank">

http://www.cs.wisc.edu/~jduffy/699/</a> } by shooting a 10 exposure shot.

 

<p>This confirmed that I do, indeed, have a single dead pixel on my

brand new camera. See photos at: <a

href="http://www.pbase.com/efusco/d200" target="_blank">

http://www.pbase.com/efusco/d200</a>

 

<p>My question. Is this a common finding on a new camera. Should I

immediately send the camera in or just deal with the dead pixel.

Should I expect it to be perfect 'out of the box'? I don't wanna

over-react but I also don't wnat to have to deal with this dead pixel

forever if it's something folks general have fixed early on.

 

<p>comments, suggestions, advice?<div></div>

<i>Should I immediately send the camera in</i>

 

I wouldn't wait one minute.

 

There are programs that can remove dead pixels, but I don't think you should "just deal" with it. Not for $1700.

Send it in for repair under warranty. Nikon will remap that pixel to an adjacent pixel and you

will be all set.

<br>

Dead pixels are common in a variety of devices: Cameras, televisions, LCD monitors, etc.

Most manufacturers publicly announce what they consider to be their threshold for replacing

(vs. fixing via remapping). For example Formac's <a href="http://mail.formac.co.uk/webapp/

support_enduser_faq_detail.php?faqID=14">replacement policy</a> is a minimum of 5 - 7

stuck pixels.

I have two D100s- neither camera has been heavily used. Both went back to Nikon within the warranty period for hot pixels.

If it were me I might consider using the camera for a few months, dealing with the pixel, then send it in while still well within warranty. That way if any other pixels happen to go hot, they can be dealt with at that time. Or perhaps something else needs a tweak after 3 months... that sort of thing. Just a thought. -Greg-

If it wasn't such a high demand item, I would try to get the retailer to take it back(exchange) since it was defective out-of-the-box.

I used to work in camera shops back in the 70's, here is what you need to do, put everything

back in the box and rerturn it immediately. Hopefully you haven't filled out the warentee

card yet, if you have you will have to send it to Nikon. Any reputable retailer will exchange

cameras for you, they will simply return to Nikon for credit. I recently did this with a Palm

LifeDrive I bought at CompUSA, no hassle, they just gave me a new one and I had had this for

6 weeks! Insist on a new exchange, you do not want to keep this camera, unless you enjoy

post production on every single image! BTW: My routine with new stuff is to wait 2 months

on warantee cards, if an electronic devise fails it usually fails early, good luck.

I think I would keep & use the camera for a few months until the initial demand of the D200 gets to be a bit lower. This is because your camera will likely be serviced quicker after all the hassle with a new D200 model has settled a bit. And you do want to use it, it's unlikely that they'd give you a replacement just for a thing like this right now because they are in short supply. And you can always have it fixed a bit later.

I'm with Greg S. Wait to see if there are other issues. More than likely yes, as I had first pick D70 and D2x and both needed to go back.

I think I will wait a little bit. I don't think that one pixel's going to be a big deal and I want to make sure no other issues crop up. I do need to get this off and back before May though for a big planned trip then. And knowing Nikon's typical turn around time......

Evan, why not at least try to exchange it with the camera dealer? What have

you got to loose, if that doesn't work you can always take the other route. I like

Rick's advice. I would pack it back up real nice and take it right back to the

camera store with a few prints of the dead pixel.

 

Happy Holidays All!

 

D

You are not the only D200 with a hot pixel(s). To return it does not guarantee the replacement will not have a hot pixel, considering there are 10.2 million of them.

 

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1021&message=16379152

<i>You are not the only D200 with a hot pixel(s)</i> -Greg<br><br>

Read the entire thread - at the end they say it's not a hot pixel after all.

Well, there's 2 cameras being discussed. Perhaps neither has any hot pixels, and maybe including Evan's D200. If so, all the better. I hope that's the case. :)

 

I should try that test/approach on my old S2.

My D2H developed a hot pixel within a couple of months after buying it. No other pixels have gone bad. It's seldom visible, being in the lower right hand corner which is often cropped anyway, and if it does happen to show it's easily touched up. But I should send it in while the camera's under warranty. I just haven't had a long enough break when I wasn't using the camera regularly.

Lex, sounds like the perfect excuse for you to get a D200 ;^)

Thanks again for everyone's (varied) suggestions.

I took the camera by my photo store today where I bought it. Not suprisingly they had no cameras on hand for which to exchange. One of the salesmen there that I know (took care of as a patient once actually) took my name and number down allegedly to call me if/when they get some in again.

 

I guess I'll just wait a while...I don't feel a big urge to rush but do want it fixed before my Ireland trip this Spring.

Nah, Dan, if I did that I'd have to carry both my D2H and the D200 because I have this paranoia about backups. And my back already hurts enough as it is from lugging the D2H.