Nikon D500 sensor issue

Within the last two days, I posted a picture of a Dunlin that exhibited a reticular lattice pattern in some areas of the image. I will post another image in avian which has the same pattern. Both Daniel and Artie suggested I post a sky image to see if this pattern shows up. So here for this forum, I will show the two pictures in which this pattern is quite visible and a sky shot both raw and processed with my typical workflow. I see the pattern in the sky images but it is very subtle. The last three images were taken at iso-2000, 500 mm PF with 1.4 extender, F8 for the Hummingbird picture and F-16 for the sky shots. All pictures taken with D 500, tripod for the sky images, processing with DxO photolab 2 (including prime noise engine), Topaz adjust, vignette with ON1, TK sharpening action at 10%. I have sent this information along to Nikon.




RAW

Processed

I see it on the first 2 processed bird photos, I do not see it on the f16 blank photos.
(you have a clean sensor!).

there is nothing wrong with your sensor. the last image just has vignetting that has been poorly corrected by the software you are using thus the blotches, vignetting is from the lens not the sensor and it is normal. You are using a lot of unnecessary filters in processing (topaz, vingetter prime noise etc.) these might be screwing up the files, before making a conclusion use a standard simple raw converter (Nikon capture or just the basic ACR) and just do a neutral RAW conversion.

Hi Arash, there is definitely something going on in the first two images (not vignetting or post-processing). You have to look carefully, but there are faint square patterns in the oof areas (they do not show in the sky pictures, interestingly). See above the dunlin's back, and above the right hummer's bill. You may have to stare for a few seconds, but once you see them they are apparent.

Daniel Cadieux said:

Hi Arash, there is definitely something going on in the first two images (not vignetting or post-processing). You have to look carefully, but there are faint square patterns in the oof areas (they do not show in the sky pictures, interestingly). See above the dunlin's back, and above the right hummer's bill. You may have to stare for a few seconds, but once you see them they are apparent.

Click to expand...

I see them now, it is odd since sensor read out is either horizontal or vertical. I'd still try to use a different RAW convertor to see if they disappear if not contact Nikon.

arash_hazeghi said:

there is nothing wrong with your sensor. the last image just has vignetting that has been poorly corrected by the software you are using thus the blotches, vignetting is from the lens not the sensor and it is normal. You are using a lot of unnecessary filters in processing (topaz, vingetter prime noise etc.) these might be screwing up the files, before making a conclusion use a standard simple raw converter (Nikon capture or just the basic ACR) and just do a neutral RAW conversion.

Click to expand...

From Nikon:
Response from Angela M.

I got Moe (David's) NEF file, the image was severely underexposed and dark I pulled up the exposure and as I expected there are no patterns.the artifacts seen is caused by the junk RAW converter and the filters, not the sensor which cannot cause square patterns.

The support gal who responded from Nikon is not an engineer and does not understand the image sensor or the read out scheme, if you send your camera in the technician or the engineer who will evaluate the camera will just confirm it is within spec and send it back to you, it would be a waste of time and shipping.

original underexposed by 2 stops


100% crop from the "problem" area RAW conversion + 2.5EV capture one pro, no artifacts. your camera is good.

hope this helps.

Thanks Arash! This is good news that is fully preventable now that Moe knows that his camera is fine.