Coolpix 5400 'pink' problem

[Fast Eddy]

I've got two coolpix 5400 cameras. My original one takes pictures with a noticable magenta cast in the highlights. I've seen it on other people's 5400s as well.

Heard of it? Any idea what part needs replacing?

It is not a setup issue.

I bought a 2nd more dead 5400 and I'm hoping to combine the two into one working camera.

[Photo-John]

That sounds like a white balance problem, Eddy. Are you using it with white balance set to auto? Have you experimented? Does it have the same problem with the white balance presets as well as auto white balance? Have you tried creating a custom white balance to see if that eliminates it? If you've seen it with other 5400s, I would worry that you might not be able to fix it by changing parts.

I'm not sure what the mechanics of the camera's white balance system are. There could be a separate color meter. But I expect the camera's processor analyzes the CCD data to determine what a neutral balance is. That would mean the problem is either with the programming or the sensor. Either one of those is going to be pretty hard to deal with.

How bad is it? Can you post a sample? Have you considered getting a new camera?

[Fast Eddy]

I've got some samples at home, not here. It's bad enough that I don't bother taking any pictures with it.

I think you're right about it being a separate sensor that's gone bad. I think I tried other white balance presets, but I'll check again tonight.

Re another camera: thought about it, but I've got a big flash a couple batteries and a microdrive that make this particular model pretty compelling.

[another view]

I've got a Coolpix 5000 which is very similar - the older version of this camera. The auto WB is very good on it, and I can't remember any complaints about it or the 5400's WB. I'd like to see some examples (post with the EXIF data if you can), but if it's on Auto WB, that doesn't sound good. Try setting it for daylight and taking a shot outside on a sunny day, see how that works. Also, a little deeper in the menu functions are fine-tuning for white balance (-0.3, 0, +0.3 etc). Make sure this is set to zero.