Help with G-9

I have a question for the G-9 experts.

We are getting light colored spots in our photos. Both on land and u/w. They especially show up against solid backgrounds.

Camera is set on Auto or Program.

At first I thought the lens face was spotty or air bubbles u/w; but that's not the answer.

Do you have any ideas?

Thanks,

TomC

Image 6443: f 3.5, 1/500, iso = 250

Image 6079: f 2.8, 1/60, iso = 250

Looks like backscatter, pure and simple. Dusty environments can produce that as well as underwater particles.

Are you using the on-board flash?

It dosn't look like backscatter to me and does look more like the effect produced by bubbles on the port. Though that can't be the case in the second photo unless the sea level has risen dramatically around the pyramids... To rule out or maybe confirm a backscatter related problem, compare a few surface and u/w shots against similar "solid backgrounds" with and without the on-board flash or strobes.

It dosn't look like backscatter to me and does look more like the effect produced by bubbles on the port. Though that can't be the case in the second photo unless the sea level has risen dramatically around the pyramids... To rule out or maybe confirm a backscatter related problem, compare a few surface and u/w shots against similar "solid backgrounds" with and without the on-board flash or strobes.

I agree on the test, but I do think it looks like backscatter. I can show examples of each, on land and underwater, sadly. Both caused by the usual particulates, suspended in air or water. In the case of the on-land backscatter, it was in a dusty desert environment as well. Only happened with a flash, of course.

I first suspected something on the glass, but the OP assured us the glass is clean, and second, the spots are not in the same place between the photos. They'd be static if it was something burned into the glass (or at least tough to clean off). (ditto for something on the sensor)

I would clean everything. Blow it out with a dust remover. Try another card as well. Do the spots show up in the same place on every frame? From what I can see here they aren't. If they were it might be a sensor issue. It still might be.

Do they refract? Show up on the viewfinder or view screen? Then it could be a lens issue...

Jack

It looks like backscatter to me too Tom. I also get those on my G9 when using the on-board flash - even in air.

The other thing it could be is dust inside the lens or on the sensor.

Cheesr

James

I neglected to say that the above two photos were taken with two different cameras, both G-9s.

My first assumption on the u/w shot was air bubbles on the port face but the land photo throws me. I saw the spots on the pyramid photo and no way did I think back scatter. But it could have been as it was Egypt and there is a lot of sand. James may be right. I will do some controlled testing and closer inspection of the camera.

Below is a photo of K on this dive, taking a shot. She has her strobe out, which is good - but I suppose she needs a longer arm segment for better strobe placement. And before you say it - she differently needs to get closer. But hey, she was in the water trying to get the shot!

Thanks for the input,

TomC

My first assumption on the u/w shot was air bubbles on the port face but the land photo throws me. I saw the spots on the pyramid photo and no way did I think back scatter. But it could have been as it was Egypt and there is a lot of sand. James may be right. I will do some controlled testing and closer inspection of the camera.

Here's some backscatter... on land... at night... in a desert environment with lots of fine dust in the air. Internal flash, although different camera (not G9). Just an example of how land doesn't necessarily mean no backscatter.

Having seen this lates example of 'topside backscatter' I would certainly agree that is the most likely cause of the problem. Its not a scenario I have experienced and, I willing concede, to have learned something

Oh, and for the record, while that is indeed a pirate galleon, that topside backscatter example was taken in the middle of a very large and dusty desert.

Must have been Burning Man...

Must have been Burning Man...

If there's another place to find a pirate galleon in a desert, I'd like to know. LOL