Blackmagic Design has announced a recall of all early PYXIS 12K cameras manufactured before serial number 14221337. The company is offering a free sensor board upgrade for affected units or a replacement camera.
According to Blackmagic Design, approximately 10% of cameras from this production range can exhibit image artifacts when certain settings are pushed. The issue is down to a tolerance variation in an electronic component on the sensor board.
The wrinkle in all this comes as the company also says that some customers who experienced the issue previously received replacement cameras from resellers that were sourced from the same pre-14221337 serial number batch. These exhibited the same behavior. As a result, Blackmagic Design says it cannot be confident in any camera shipped before that serial number and has decided to recall all of them.
This is a pretty major move for any manufacturer, but the sensor board has now been redesigned to address the issue. The updated component is identified as Revision B. Any cameras that have been sent to Blackmagic Design support offices for repair recently have automatically received this upgraded sensor board.
While only 10% of cameras showed visible artifacts, the company says that testing and upgrades performed over recent months have resulted in measurable improvements across all upgraded units. Based on that, Blackmagic reckons that every camera can benefit from the Revision B sensor board, and all recent ones off the production line now include it.
Cameras returned for service during the past few months should also have been upgraded, although customers are advised to confirm this with support. In addition, some earlier cameras before serial number 14221337 were upgraded at the factory prior to shipment.
Any customers with PYXIS 12K cameras manufactured before serial number 14221337 are eligible for the free sensor board upgrade. Blackmagic says customers should contact a regional sales office to arrange either a sensor board replacement or a replacement camera, whichever is the quickest option.
The sensor board upgrade or replacement camera offer is available immediately at no charge through Blackmagic Design sales offices and will remain available for three years.
www.blackmagicdesign.com/support for more information.