Optura XI split screen? at DVinfo.net

Jeff Miller · November 14th, 2004, 08:03 PM

My Optura Xi has this odd problem where under certain lighting conditions you can see a vertical split in the picture. It's very faint and only happens under low light. It's actually so faint you won't see in the finder, you'll see it slightly on the LCD screen, and it becomes apparent on a TV. It's a thin white line...
It had done this ever since I had it but I didn't notice until I was editting old stuff months later (what can I say? I was busy). Is this an Optura thing or is there something wrong with my camera?

Rob Lohman · November 15th, 2004, 10:23 AM

Do you have a website to put a picture up?

Jeff Miller · November 15th, 2004, 11:43 AM

No... I'm woefully lacking in web presence....

Also BTW the camera was sent in for repair already. Ultimate Electronics sat on it for a week or two then sent it to Canon, so we'll see what happens. I'm just curious if anyone's seen this before

Tom Hardwick · November 19th, 2004, 07:14 AM

This 'split' in the picture - is it always in the same place on the screen? Could it be CCD smear? - a problem with this cam if you use higher shutter speeds.

Jeff Miller · November 19th, 2004, 07:48 AM

I'm not sure what CCD smear is - like that vertical effect you get when looking at something overly bright?

The split is always dead center of the picture, it doesn't move. It's only real noticable in low light, where typically I slow down the shutter speed, 1/30 or less.

Michael Wisniewski · November 19th, 2004, 11:09 AM

Jeff, I think this is normal for the Optura Xi. I have experienced the same thing.

A larger lens hood will fix the problem, I usually just shade the lens with my hand or cardboard to make it go away.

Jeff Miller · January 18th, 2005, 07:33 PM

I sent my XI off on warranty service, and when it came back it still had the same split screen problem dispite a "CCD BLOCK REPLACEMENT". I was doubtful they did anything but I'm pretty sure they actually replaced the chip since there are dead pixels now there that weren't before.

Moral of the story, this is an XI shortcoming, don't service your camera, you'll wish you hadn't.

Chris Hurd · January 18th, 2005, 08:02 PM

Jeff, send me an image via email and I'll host it.

Tom Hardwick · January 19th, 2005, 02:22 AM

Yes, I look forward to seeing it.

November 14th, 2004, 08:03 PM	#1
Jeff Miller Major Player Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: St Louis, MO Posts: 227	Optura XI split screen? My Optura Xi has this odd problem where under certain lighting conditions you can see a vertical split in the picture. It's very faint and only happens under low light. It's actually so faint you won't see in the finder, you'll see it slightly on the LCD screen, and it becomes apparent on a TV. It's a thin white line... It had done this ever since I had it but I didn't notice until I was editting old stuff months later (what can I say? I was busy). Is this an Optura thing or is there something wrong with my camera?

November 15th, 2004, 10:23 AM	#2
Rob Lohman RED Code Chef Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Holland Posts: 12,514	Do you have a website to put a picture up? __________________ Rob Lohman, visuar@iname.com DV Info Wrangler & RED Code Chef Join the DV Challenge \| Lady X Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Buy from the best: DVinfo.net sponsors

January 18th, 2005, 08:02 PM	#8
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,366 Images: 513	Jeff, send me an image via email and I'll host it. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

November 15th, 2004, 11:43 AM	#3
Jeff Miller Major Player Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: St Louis, MO Posts: 227	No... I'm woefully lacking in web presence.... Also BTW the camera was sent in for repair already. Ultimate Electronics sat on it for a week or two then sent it to Canon, so we'll see what happens. I'm just curious if anyone's seen this before

November 19th, 2004, 07:14 AM	#4
Tom Hardwick Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Billericay, England UK Posts: 4,711	This 'split' in the picture - is it always in the same place on the screen? Could it be CCD smear? - a problem with this cam if you use higher shutter speeds.

November 19th, 2004, 07:48 AM	#5
Jeff Miller Major Player Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: St Louis, MO Posts: 227	I'm not sure what CCD smear is - like that vertical effect you get when looking at something overly bright? The split is always dead center of the picture, it doesn't move. It's only real noticable in low light, where typically I slow down the shutter speed, 1/30 or less.

November 19th, 2004, 11:09 AM	#6
Michael Wisniewski Wrangler Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Makati, Metro Manila Posts: 2,706 Images: 32	Jeff, I think this is normal for the Optura Xi. I have experienced the same thing. A larger lens hood will fix the problem, I usually just shade the lens with my hand or cardboard to make it go away.

January 18th, 2005, 07:33 PM	#7
Jeff Miller Major Player Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: St Louis, MO Posts: 227	I sent my XI off on warranty service, and when it came back it still had the same split screen problem dispite a "CCD BLOCK REPLACEMENT". I was doubtful they did anything but I'm pretty sure they actually replaced the chip since there are dead pixels now there that weren't before. Moral of the story, this is an XI shortcoming, don't service your camera, you'll wish you hadn't.

January 19th, 2005, 02:22 AM	#9
Tom Hardwick Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Billericay, England UK Posts: 4,711	Yes, I look forward to seeing it.