Vertical split in Nikon D800 long exposures: sensor defect, light leak, or processing issue?

Question

On a Nikon D800, I’m seeing a very uniform vertical edge/split in the same position across frames. It appears in a severely underexposed long exposure with a 10-stop ND filter and also in a dark frame shot with the lens cap on. Because the artifact is fixed in position and has a hard, straight boundary, I’m unsure whether this points to a light leak, sensor defect, or an electronics/processing problem.

Examples:

638 seconds, ISO 100, f/9.5, 10-stop ND, very underexposed
30 seconds, ISO 3200, f/3.5, lens cap on

What is the most likely cause, and how can I test whether it’s a light leak versus an internal camera fault?

Examples:
- 638 seconds, ISO 100, f/9.5, 10-stop ND, very underexposed
- 30 seconds, ISO 3200, f/3.5, lens cap on

What is the most likely cause, and how can I test whether it’s a light leak versus an internal camera fault?

user69369 · Answer

To me, the transition is too hard (seemingly from one row to the next) to come from a light leak - it would really have to be limited right in front of the sensor to get that hard edge, and that seems highly unlikely, especially, since it seems to be perfectly vertical (so the edge is always in the same row).

So I too suspect it is a sensor defect.

One way to find out for certain is to recreate your second photo (lens cap on), but hide your camera under some opaque things (cardboard, black plastic bags, cushions,...) - try to wrap it up as good as possible from all sides. Use a remote cable shutter to make the photo, but first, see that the room the camera is in gets as dark as possible.

If the issue persists, then it is not a light leak.

^{You could also do the opposite: Use a very bright torch and try to hit the camera from all angles for several seconds.}

Vertical split in Nikon D800 long exposures: sensor defect, light leak, or processing issue?

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