GH2 GH2 dark spot issue

J

Jeff Gibbs

New member
I love my GH2. I sold my 5d I like the image so much. Alas I have had it only a couple weeks and began to notice a dark spot whenever I was shooting any blue sky. I thought it was the lens--cleaned lens, no help, changed lens, no help, still the annoying spot. Before I contact Panasonic and enter the no-man's land of sending my camera in for help, anyone have any suggestions? I tried the sensor cleaning option a few times. No change. The only color I notice the spot is against a blue sky leading me to wonder if it's a sensor issue of some kind. Thanks for any help!
 
I think your right in that it's an internal sensor thing, did you look at the sensor under light to see if it has a spot on it? Maybe a spec of something stuck to it. If not and you tried everything else, I would say send it in and get it fixed. That sucks to buy a new cam, and have to go through this annoting crap. Sorry to hear that man.
 
Oh, took a look with a flashlight at the sensor, can see no dust or anything unclean on the sensor. Dang! I am a documentary filmmaker and was counting on this camera this summer. Who knows how long Panny would have it in service. Other than the dot and sky banding problems I love the image. But since I am going for a theatrical blow up, the defects are a problem.
 
By any chance, did you point your camera directly at the sun for an extended period of time?

FWIU, it's possible to burn a camera's sensor.
 
Wow I just went back and checked what I shot the first day I had the camera and found a bit of sky and the spot is there!! I just didn't notice is until there was a solid bright color. So it almost certainly arrived that way. I have had a Gh1 (now GH13) for a year and a half and never had any spot issues. Of course to me the image on the GH2 is vastly superior.... except for the spot.
 
I have a old canon withthe same problem. Since I use it only for pictures i don´t mind that much becaus I always retouche. To me it was a sensor error. I cloud not find a way to make it better.
 
Yes, definitely try cleaning the sensor before going any further. Chances are the sensor is fine. But if cleaning makes no change in the appearance of the spot, then you better return the camera.
 
Ralph B said:
Yes, definitely try cleaning the sensor before going any further. Chances are the sensor is fine.
Click to expand...

Is there a recommended method for cleaning the GH2 sensor?

This looks like a good thing to have for only $30:
http://www.amazon.com/LensPen-SKL-1...DIE8/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1308630227&sr=8-4

The description claims you can look at your sensor while cleaning at the same time. I'm not sure if that comes with anything other than the scope, but I understand there are certain fluids made specifically for certain cameras; anyone using something in particular for the GH2?

I have a bulb that blows air - the manual warns to be careful when doing that. I haven't had to use it yet, but watched a YouTube video where someone was cleaning a DSLR sensor and he was swiping his hand across/down when squeezing the bulb ("Rocket" type) while pushing out the air as not to hit the inside directly.
The same guy, who claimed to be a professional camera serviceman, warned not to do maintenance cleaning; for example a monthly cleaning even if there is no dust present. He recommended to clean only when seeing presence of dust on the sensor while looking through a scope.

I'm not having an issue at present, but was wondering what others have used for cleaning the GH2 sensor?
I suppose this would be helpful to the OP as well.
 
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Thanks for the suggestions I did try the sensor cleaning from the menu. The fact that is shows up in yellow and blue backgrounds and nothing else and is pretty perfectly round tells me its a defect and especially since it was in day one shooting. Good news! Sammy Camera is taking care of this pronto easy to reach, very fast response. I am impressed. They are even swapping my grey for a black because thats all they have in stock. What a treat to deal with a place that doesn't feel like a factory. And a relief that my summer shooting schedule won't be thrown off. Now if they could get rid of the banding issue I could sell my XF-300...
 
I have two spots that show up whenever I film a blue sky. Weird thing is, they always seem to be in different places. And, no, it is not dust. It has to be a sensor problem. I plan on sending my GH2 into service AFTER I'm done shooting my short film. Sucks that I bought a brand new camera and right out of the box it has sensor problems. Unbelievable.
 
Filmkid2003 said:
I have two spots that show up whenever I film a blue sky. Weird thing is, they always seem to be in different places. And, no, it is not dust. It has to be a sensor problem. I plan on sending my GH2 into service AFTER I'm done shooting my short film. Sucks that I bought a brand new camera and right out of the box it has sensor problems. Unbelievable.
Click to expand...

Why can't it be dust? Why does it HAVE to be a sensor problem?
 
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