Bad Pixel
 

I've owned 2 XL1s cameras for the past 3 years. One of the XL1s cameras had the CCD 3-prism assembly replaced once to correct bad pixels. The second XL1s had its CCD 3-prism assembly replaced twice and now has more bad pixels, so it has to go in again.

On this forum, I've read other people experience bad pixels with this model. Thank God I have an extended warranty for these cameras, but at this rate, I will be out close to $1,000 when my extended warranty goes away and I have to get them repaired again.

I shoot about 15 wedding events per year, recording about 6 hours of footage. I don't think that is excessive usage. I don't understand why this model has such a problem with bad pixels. I understand to not point the camera at the sun, so I don't do that. So are there other things, like photographer flashes or DJ lights that could be causing this to happen?

Any feedback would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Ron

I would say that is a pretty bad rate indeed. I haven't heard of
anyone else having so much problems with bad pixels. I myself
have used the camera for 3 years without a single bad pixel.

Cannot imagine any other external factor being of that much
influence.

I assume this problem shows up in your footage when captured
or played on a TV (ie, not a viewfinder dead pixel)?

Yes, the hot pixels show up on my external monitor.

Someone else I know has the XL1 and they had bad pixels before and suspected photographer flashes causing this. I admit that I shoot a lot of dancing with the cool lights in the background for effect. Sometimes for minutes a time. So those lights are pointing directly at my lens. I would stop doing that if someone would confirm that is a bad thing to do. I take excellent care of this gear, so I know it's not a physical abuse issue. I must either be bad luck or what I point at.

Thoughts?

Ron

I think you should transition out of those cameras, Ron.

Move into the XL2 or something else entirely.