Strange image quality problem (lines across image)

[odklizec]

Guillermo, you can perform the master reset by switching the mode dial to Video mode. Then (with the camera turned OFF) you should press and hold "Zoom down" + "Flash" and "Play" button >> You should be asked if you want to initialize the settings. After confirming, the camera should be reset to its factory state.

However, I don't think this will help you. Your problem sounds like a sensor defect. The reason why there is no banding visible in the video is most probably that the video frames are scaled down from the full resolution and so the lines may be lost due to the scaling procedure? Just for fun, try to take some photos in lowered resolution (like 640 or 1MP, 3MP or 5MP). Do you still see the banding?

[CHICHORNIO]

Yeap, it´s a sensor issue I guess (it´s like the lens/sensor combo is broken). The banding it´s on low res too. I think it has to go for repair. I´m going to the US in November, do you know who can repair it? Popflash guys do service on Ricoh? Because I´ll be around Southern California for about 10 days, maybe I can leave the GRD1 for service during this days. Thanks for your help.

[odklizec]

In the US, Ricoh cameras are serviced by Cris Cam:
http://www.criscam.com/

Unfortunately, the estimated price of GRDI repair is calculated to $196 (+ $12 shipping fee). I'm not sure it's reasonable to repair it here? Maybe you can ask directly Ricoh Japan?

[CHICHORNIO]

Yes, that price scared me away! I already sent a complain to Ricoh Japan. I´ll let you know how it goes. Thanks again. Anyway, that keep me thinking that I should keep my work in color, ja!

[odklizec]

BTW, does the banding appear also in RAW? I guess so, but it might be worth a try?

[CHICHORNIO]

Yeap, also in RAW. So I guess I´ll keep it as a collector item unless it suddenly fixes itself as it broke itself. Or one day I´ll disasembly it my myself and see what´s inside a Ricoh´s heart.

[LarryLatchkey]

Hello everybody,
I have the same issue with my GRD I. It's a shame as it's such an expensive machine and so well built... I think it’s about 3 1/2 years old. Actually, the first one I bought didn’t focus so I had to send it back. Then for 3 years the only problem were instable battery contacts, so that at times it would close down despite a fully charged battery. Cleaning with a cotton bud helped.
Some three months ago the banding appeared. I someow have the feeling that I smashed the sensor by using it when the battery was extremely low and it closed down in the middle of recording an image due to lack of energy... But that’s just a presumption, I don’t have the technical knowledge to make more that a guess. Strangely some days later I was able to shoot a couple of fine pictures, but then the banding reappeared to stay.
I had someone at Harrison Cameras Sheffield (I was living in the UK until recently) look at it and they said it looks familiar to them but they only remember it as a problem on different brands from quite some years ago, and they hadn’t come across this for a while. He said despite the lack of guarantee Ricoh might (morally...? ) feel obligated to replace the sensor for free.
I was told by someone who works for Ricoh that the replacement of a sensor might cost around €150 – €200. Fortunatley in Germany were I live Ricoh is well represented.
Best,
LL

[LarryLatchkey]

I had mine repaired, and they dealt with it quickly. It cost me €119.– so I'd say it was definitely worth it.

[Schaki]

I don't know if you still have that GRDI and unrepaired. If it's not repaired there is a GRDI available which have a jammed lens after having been dropped. You could simply take the sensor from that one to replace the defect sensor in your own GRDI. It is not extremely hard but might take a while. One need to be careful with that flat ribbon-cable which goes from the top and down to the button-set.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ricoh-GR-Digi ... 4ab66bb622
He says that it is a GRDII but the real picture of his clearly shows a GRDI.

[CHICHORNIO]

I don't know if you still have that GRDI and unrepaired. If it's not repaired there is a GRDI available which have a jammed lens after having been dropped. You could simply take the sensor from that one to replace the defect sensor in your own GRDI. It is not extremely hard but might take a while. One need to be careful with that flat ribbon-cable which goes from the top and down to the button-set.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ricoh-GR-Digi ... 4ab66bb622
He says that it is a GRDII but the real picture of his clearly shows a GRDI.

Thanks for the link! My GDR is still unrepaired. I`ll will bill. I think it`s worth for the money.