larkahn

I have a Coolpix P7100.

There is a thin irregular black line on the left side of my camera screen and a shorter irregular black line on the right side. Was this possibly caused by pressure on the screen, or something else? I keep it in a sturdy case, but it's not a hard shell case. When traveling, it's placed in my carry-on suitcase which has a lot of electronic goods. I try to position it where it won't receive any pressure, but I'm wondering if somehow it did get some.

The lines don't appear in the actual photos when viewed on my computer.

Does anyone have any thoughts on what caused this and whether it's a one-off situation, or whether the screen might deteriorate further on its own?

Screen Damage Coolpix P7100

(Download)

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

If the lines don't appear in your computer, I wouldn't worry about it. Almost similar to dust inside a zoom lens. They very rarely show up on the image taken.

larkahn

Thanks for the quick reply.

Leitz Loc: Solms

It was caused by careless handling.

rrkazman

Definitely dead pixels, this is caused by any number of events. Pressure is one, cold is one, given the shape of the lines is either pressure, or contamination.

larkahn

Thanks. I actually had thought about cold, but figured that 32 degrees Fahrenheit wouldn't cause problems. The camera hadn't been used for about 2 months.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

The P7100 is a compact, fixed lens camera that is about 6 years old. It is certainly out of warranty. If the camera worsens, whereas your photos look bad. Then, I suggest you buy another camera, and put a protective glass over your LCD screen on your next camera.

rrkazman

32 Degrees is freezing, no digital device is engineered to be exposed to any extreme temperatures. The D7100 is designed to work at 32 degrees F, if the camera is left in a car overnight when the weather man says it has been 32, there is no assurance that in your area it was not colder. There is also a difference when using a Camera in the cold and having it sit in the cold. I lost the CCD on a Nikon by having it go in checked luggage it was well packed in a foam shipping case but the cold and low pressure cased the CCD to de-laminate. So my recommendation is never let your camera sleep where you wouldn't.

larkahn

One possibility is a short flight from NYC to Philadelphia. Because I was sitting near the back of the plane the boarding order required me to wait. And because it was a small aircraft, I was then told that my carry on had to be checked because there was no more shortage space on the plane. Absolutely no way out of this. I wonder........ Thanks for your insight.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Could you please expand on your comment? Thank you.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Live with it. The cost of replacing the LCD wouldn't be worth it. Of course, you could buy one and attempt the repair yourself. If you do, get a set of JIS (Japanese) screwdrivers.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Original-New-Replacement-For-Nikon-Coolpix-P7100-LCD-Flex-Cable-Ribbon-camera-/261852304821

This sows the replacement for a different Nikon.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwQVwShjuys

rrkazman

If this was a CRJ, or similar plane the luggage hold is marginally heated, but not pressurized. Outside temperatures at 35,000 feet are 70 degrees below zero, cargo holds are held at around 30 degrees but at atmospheric pressure which is 4 times lower than at 500 feet above sea level. This change in pressure can cause the trapped gas in an LCD or LED display to expand and become damaged. The maximum operating altitude rating on a D7100 is 5000 feet above sea level. That not really how high you can go but what pressure it was designed to operate at, the air pressure at 5000 feet is 24.90m InHg, at 35000 feet it is 7.06 InHg,. This can damage computer screens, tablets, cameras, even lenses that have vacuum between elements, or inert gas. I fly all the time, if I am forced to give up my carry on, I either remove all of the electronics and carry it on or I ask the gate agent to provide me with a letter that states the air lines will be responsible for all damages that will occur. I have a small string bag in my Camera case that can hold Camera and lenses. That way I can place it under the seat, and hold it on my lap after take off. If the airlines are insistent the request of a letter stating they will cover all damage to your valuables will generally encourage them to find space in the passenger cabin for your valuable items.

Leitz Loc: Solms

It doesn't look to me like deterioration from age, and the OP intimated that it may not have been stowed properly. Perhaps I should have said "appears to have been caused ... "

Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina

If it isn't impacting the image it is probably not worth worrying about trying to fix it on that camera.

Best,
Todd Ferguson

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

The cargo holds of ALL airliners are pressurized, and cargo holds for baggage are heated. How much heat is up to the individual airline. Industry standard for pressurization is 8000' throughout the fuselage. Unless you are on a 787, which can maintain a 6000' cabin pressure, you and everything you have with you is exposed to atmospheric pressure equivalent to approximately 8000' with no ill effect on electronics. Small, unpressurized commuter aircraft, such as the Twin Otter, used all over the world, will take you and your camera to 12,000' and sometimes more. Skydiving camera men (and women) routinely exit the aircraft at 13,500' even in winter when it is well below zero at that altitude. Even in the summer it can be darn cold up there.
The odds of low pressure or temperature having caused the damage to the OP's camera are extremely slim. There is a far better chance that it was simply a defective screen.