Canon acknowledges, doesn't fix black dot and band problems on 5D Mark II

It's been released, unboxed, and adored by many. But, like other eagerly anticipated bodies from Canon, the 5D Mark II hasn't been entirely trouble-free for the early adopters. The company is at least stepping forward and confirming that the new model's two most commonly reported problems do indeed exist -- but isn't going so far as to fix them just yet. The first issue is called the "Black dot" phenomenon, where bright point light sources (like streetlights at a distance) result in a grouping of dark pixels immediately to their right, as seen above. The second issue is ugly vertical banding, apparently appearing only in sRAW1 mode. Canon has no advice on the first problem, but says you can avoid the other one simply by not shooting in sRAW1. Surely millions of photogs are wondering why they didn't think of that.

[Via Digital Photography Review, image courtesy of Stephan Hörold]

[Wwhat Posted Dec 19th 2008 3:01PM]

The 'perfect situation' might just be there when you want to make an unique shot, after paying a truckload of money too, you can and should demand to not have bugs and flaws that should not be there and aren't there on much cheaper cameras.
Digital photography already has its flaws and there's no need to invent extra flaws.

On the other hand, nothing is perfect and it could be worse and it's something I guess it's small enough to say people can wait for a fix to arrive in due course, but it's bound to hurt sales though.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2008 3:15PM]

I am glad that I use Nikon, never encounter a problem like this since the D1 now to D3.
for a while, i wanted to use Canon. but seeing all the firmware problem(S) and just recently the EOS 1D Mark 3.
the Mirror has to be replace! if you are professional that is how inconvenience! (if you only have one camera in your hand at the moment)
they are trying really hard to push product out into the market.
which it isn't ready yet!

[balls Posted Dec 19th 2008 3:32PM]

Thank god for the QA testers.

By QA I mean Early Adopters :D

[Hoot Posted Dec 22nd 2008 2:56PM]

Photoshop'd

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 23rd 2008 2:11PM]

I use Nikon equipment but I think Canon stuff is also excellent. This isn't a major issue like the camera maybe writing errors to image files but it is an issue. Unfortunately one that has been there from before with Canon, though hopefully it can be fixed easily.

It will but shouldn't stop potential buyers from buying it if they like what the camera does. Those looking to buy it should just sit back, wait for the issue to be resolved and then purchase it. Chances are if you are buying a 5D MKII you have a digital camera already. You can hold of while the issue is resolved and go from there.

The major problem will be if Canon takes too long to fix it. If so just return the own you own before the warranty and Canon will get the message the hard way. The is if it happens to your images often and really affects you and your business. The average consumer shoot can easily afford to over look it or do the same as they are valued customers as well.

I hope Canon fixes it soon because I as a Nikon user think it is a fantastic camera and has the potential to be a classic for Canon much like what the D3 and D700 is for Nikon.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 9th 2009 10:52AM]

Firmware release to address black dot and banding problems. In the end Canon DID something about it.