CCD Bloom

What is CCD bloom?

CCD bloom (also called "smear" or "vertical streaking") occurs when a pixel's charge well overflows from an extremely bright light source. The excess charge spills into neighbouring pixels along the vertical transfer channel, creating characteristic bright streaks that extend above and below the light source.

Why it only happens on CCD

CMOS sensors read each pixel independently, so charge overflow stays localised. CCD sensors transfer charge in vertical columns, meaning overflow propagates along the entire column — producing the distinctive vertical streak.

Creative exploitation

Many Mavica and lo-fi photographers deliberately point their CCD cameras at bright point-light sources (Christmas lights, candles, sun reflections) to produce bloom streaks. The effect is impossible to authentically replicate in post-processing and has become a hallmark of the CCD aesthetic.

Which Mavica models bloom most?

All Mavica models can produce bloom, but the lower-resolution models (FD5, FD7, FD51, FD71) with their smaller pixel wells tend to bloom more easily. The higher-end CD-series models have better anti-bloom circuitry that suppresses the effect.

Tips for intentional bloom

1. Point directly at a small, intense light source
2. Use night or low-light scenes for maximum contrast
3. Lower-resolution Mavica models produce stronger streaks
4. The effect is strongest when the light source is small and isolated