Why do my Fujifilm FinePix F850EXR photos show repeating lines and discoloration?
Asked 3/15/2014
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2 answers
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My Fujifilm FinePix F850EXR has started putting repeating line patterns and some discoloration into captured images. The problem appeared suddenly after normal use and remained after a factory reset. I also tested saving to internal memory instead of the memory card, and cleaning the lens did not help.
The lines are not obvious when simply viewing the scene on the camera, but they appear in the recorded image. Is this more likely to be a sensor fault, an issue with processing electronics, or something like a filter in front of the sensor? Are there any simple tests I can do to narrow it down?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
12y ago
2 Answers
1
The pattern does look like moire and it is incredibly symmetrical. Is the symmetry typical of other affected shots? If so, that rules out optical imperfections. I am willing to bet the problem is electronic.
There is a way to tell if it's the sensor. When you say it looks fine "when simply looking through the lens" I assume you are looking at the display on the back of the camera, so obviously its still going through the sensor. Does it look the same on the back display after you've taken the shot? If not then the sensor isn't to blame, its the electronic processing or the storage that is the issue (you say you ruled out storage). If it does look the same, then you know you captured the picture accurately, (assuming its not just because the pattern is too small to see, but then again there is also discoloration which should be detectable even on the smallish display).
Is the distortion only evident after downloading the image from the camera? Perhaps there is a problem with the transfer method?
From what you've described, I am tempted to think that the problem is in the image processing chip.
Originally by user17634. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user17634
12y ago
0
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The pattern does look like moiré, but because it appeared suddenly and persists across resets and different storage media, it’s more likely an internal hardware/electronics issue than a setting or memory-card problem.
Good next tests:
- Compare the live view and the playback image on the camera. If the pattern is visible in the captured image but not in live view, that points more to image processing/electronics after capture rather than the sensor itself.
- Take one image sharply in focus and another completely out of focus. If the pattern stays similar even when the scene is blurred, that suggests the issue is in the sensor or something directly in front of it, not the lens optics.
- Check whether the pattern is always similarly symmetrical from shot to shot. Consistent symmetry also suggests an electronic or sensor-related fault rather than dirt or lens damage.
Based on the answers, the most likely causes are the sensor, processing electronics, or possibly a filter element near the sensor shifting out of place. Cleaning the lens won’t fix that. On a compact camera like this, repair may not be economical; a service center would need to confirm whether the sensor assembly can be replaced.
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