Photo problem- I need an opinion!

[Chad A.]

Thanks for taking a look: here's the pic:

http://www.cascadeclimbers.com/plab/data/512/4625IMGP1885.JPG

It's a Pentax Optio S50; previously, I thought the lens was dirty, so I gently cleaned it with a lens cleaner cloth and spray, and this diagonal discoloration smear (obvious in the upper left of the photo) still appears. Is there something wrong with the camera? I'm not familiar with the workings of a digital camera, so maybe you all could help me pinpoint the possible/probable issue.

Thanks in advance...and yes, I usually take nicer pics than this!:D

[Rhys]

It looks as though it could be light. Does this always appear in the same place?

[Chad A.]

Yes, it does; that's the weird part. I wonder if it could be something strange, like a shadow from my finger cast across the lens? That'd be a long shot though. I've taken 10 different pics or so in different areas...the discoloration appears in the same spot.

[Chad A.]

...from the photography shop I bought the camera from is these possibilities:

1. "a small fleck of paint from the inside of the camera has dislodged and is causing a reflection internally"

2. "or, it has developed a small light leak"

3. "or, something may be out of alignment." I can't remember what exactly he said could be out of alignment, but none of these sounded pretty good. The salesman/technician seemed to think that it was quite costly these days to even get the manufacturer to take a look at it.

Any thoughts on any of this?

[Rhys]

Could be faulty. Is it too late to send it for a warranty repair?

I see from the exif:
Camera Make: PENTAX Corporation
Camera Model: PENTAX Optio S50
Image Date: 2006:07:13 19:15:03
Flash Used: No
Focal Length: 17.4mm (35mm equivalent: 107mm)
Digital Zoom: 2.560x
Exposure Time: 0.0040 s (1/250)
Aperture: f/7.7
ISO equiv: 50
White Balance: Auto
Metering Mode: Matrix

[Vich]

Looks like a thumbprint on the camera's sensor. If it were a DSLR, no big deal.

Send it in if you can.

[Chad A.]

Looks like a thumbprint on the camera's sensor. If it were a DSLR, no big deal.


Ok. Out of curiousity, where would the "sensor" be on a handheld digital such as this?

[Vich]

Ok. Out of curiousity, where would the "sensor" be on a handheld digital such as this?
By definition, it's in there somewhere. It's not accessible.

The "sensor" is essentially the "film" of the camera. It is a flat CCD surface positioned just behind your unremovable lens.

BTW: The cause I stated is just my guess. It doesn't look like a light leak though (seen that). As you stated, could also be an internal object dislodged and occluding the light path. Its pretty irrelevent though, they all require sending it in for repair.

[Chad A.]

Thanks much. I found a repair shop here around Portland (Pentax authorized). I talked to them, and they're going to take a look at the pic I just emailed them.

They said that it'd be 40 bucks to take it apart to look at it.

[Rhys]

If it's a new camera then it should be a warranty repair.

If it's not new then it's time to get a replacement. $40 just to tell you something will be horribly expensive to fix doesn't sound a bright idea.

[ReF's temporary account]

If it's a new camera then it should be a warranty repair.

If it's not new then it's time to get a replacement. $40 just to tell you something will be horribly expensive to fix doesn't sound a bright idea.

i agree with this. send it to the manufacturer even if it's out of warranty. they should be able to take a look at it for free and give you a quote if it needs repair (at least that's how it works with canon. sorry, no pentax experience).

[Chad A.]

Yeah, that's what I figured, but I think I'm simply going to move on. Besides, it'll just give me an opportunity to upgrade.

Thanks for all the replies!http://www.cascadeclimbers.com/threadz/images/graemlins/bigdrink.gif