Spot in image

[Mac]

Hi All,

I've recently noticed a large spot appearing in the top right corner of the images I get from my new Panasonic TZ6.

At first I thought it was on the camera screen but after some tests I can see its in the image. With a detailed image it can be hidden but with a flat background (e.g. a blue sky) it's very obvious and extremely annoying!
I've tried cleaning the lens (not tried a proper cleaning fluid yet, can't find it!) but that has made no difference. I examined the lens with a magnifier and I can see a small scratch in the centre of the lens but I think that's been there since soon after I bought it. (No idea how that happened!?). I don't think that's causing the problem though as its right in the centre.

Any ideas? I've contacted a Panasonic repair centre but I suspect they will say 'you caused a scratch and thats the problem'. Before sending it I would like to see if anyone else has experienced this or got any suggestions as to the cause/solution.

Mac

[mike_j]

Re: Spot in image

Can you post a picture showing the problem?

If sounds like a dirt or oil spot on the sensor, a common problem on DSLRs but you shouldn't get it on a TZ6 and it may be a manufacturing fault. It will probably be necessary to return it.

[Mac]

Re: Spot in image

Hi Bill,

I can't reduce the image sizes (to be able to upload them here) as I haven't installed any image editing software yet. (usually content with just cropping etc).
So I've uploaded two test images to flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/15967431@N05/?saved=1
they are spot 1 & spot 2
taken at different focal lengths they show a slight difference in the spot shape and position so I'm wondering if that shows that it is something to do with the lens?

[Ian]

Re: Spot in image

That's clearly dust somewhere either on one of the lense elements or one of the sensor filters. With your type of camera, it's a service job unfortunately.

Ian

[Mac]

Re: Spot in image

Ok thanks. So hopefully Panasonic should cough up for the repair then?
The Camera's only 3 months old.
What about the small scratch I can see right in the centre of the lens, could they argue that's responsible?

[Ian]

Re: Spot in image

Ok thanks. So hopefully Panasonic should cough up for the repair then?
The Camera's only 3 months old.
What about the small scratch I can see right in the centre of the lens, could they argue that's responsible?

The defect is clearly not in the centre of the lens, so it's not likely to be that.

Ian

[Patrick]

Re: Spot in image

The defect is clearly not in the centre of the lens, so it's not likely to be that.

Ian

A scratch on the lens would not cause a spot, most of the time it would have little effect the image, perhaps a little softening, more with smaller apertures.

I once had a cracked filter on a lens and it produced very little effect until f16 even then very little.

Patrick

[Mac]

Re: Spot in image

That's what I thought but it's good to have my thoughts confirmed.
Thanks everyone for the help with this.
I've not used a photo forum before but I will again!
I'm going to send it to Panasonic for repair and hope they do the decent thing...
Given that the lens is fixed I don't see how anything I could have done could have caused this!
Cheers, Mac

[Ian]

Re: Spot in image

Good luck! Please do let us know how you get on.

Ian

[ash]

Re: Spot in image

Even on compacts dust can find a way in sometimes, rather than a pricey service might be aswell either putting up with it and cloning when visible or sell camera on ebay and upgrade

[Ian]

Re: Spot in image

Even on compacts dust can find a way in sometimes, rather than a pricey service might be aswell either putting up with it and cloning when visible or sell camera on ebay and upgrade

I think he's hoping to get it fixed under warranty as the camera is only three months old.

Ian

[Mac]

Re: Spot in image

Good News!

I've just got the camera back from the repair company, (DK AVS in Horley).
They have replaced the lens and cleaned the sensor, all seems well!
I had the impression that like a lot of companies they would try to wiggle out of responsibility but they have done the decent thing and I have a fully working camera again!

As a side issue, I discovered the joys of shutter priority mode when using my mates TZ10 whilst mine was out of service and I really miss not having it!
Funnily enough my old and battered (I have to flick the lens several times to make the protective iris fully open!) Canon PowerShot A510 does have shutter and aperture priority!... I think it will get brought out of retirement for action shots!

Thanks for all who helped

Mac

[Ian]

Re: Spot in image

That was a very quick turnaround! Presumably you didn't need to pay anything?

Ian

[Mac]

Re: Spot in image

I know, I'm quite impressed!
It didn't cost me a penny!
I'm even going to get the special delivery postage refunded as the post office messed up the delivery address and it got delivered one day late!
They received the camera on wednesday (I got an email saying they had it and the condition it was in) and I got it back today by special delivery.
I now have a new lens so even the small scratch that was there before has gone.