diff --git a/satpy/tests/writer_tests/test_mitiff.py b/satpy/tests/writer_tests/test_mitiff.py
index 498ed0e5a3..a7e9589f1f 100644
--- a/satpy/tests/writer_tests/test_mitiff.py
+++ b/satpy/tests/writer_tests/test_mitiff.py
@@ -20,8 +20,15 @@
 Based on the test for geotiff writer
 
 """
+import logging
+import os
 import unittest
 
+import numpy as np
+from PIL import Image
+
+logger = logging.getLogger()
+
 
 class TestMITIFFWriter(unittest.TestCase):
     """Test the MITIFF Writer class."""
@@ -270,7 +277,6 @@ def _get_test_dataset_with_bad_values(self, bands=3):
         """Create a single test dataset."""
         from datetime import datetime
 
-        import numpy as np
         import xarray as xr
         from pyresample.geometry import AreaDefinition
         from pyresample.utils import proj4_str_to_dict
@@ -531,6 +537,19 @@ def _get_test_dataset_three_bands_prereq(self, bands=3):
                                      10.8]})
         return ds1
 
+    def _read_back_mitiff_and_check(self, filename, expected, test_shape=(100, 200)):
+        pillow_tif = Image.open(filename)
+        for frame_no in range(pillow_tif.n_frames):
+            pillow_tif.seek(frame_no)
+            np.testing.assert_allclose(np.asarray(pillow_tif.getdata()).reshape(test_shape),
+                                       expected[frame_no], atol=1.e-6, rtol=0)
+
+    def _imagedescription_from_mitiff(self, filename):
+        pillow_tif = Image.open(filename)
+        IMAGEDESCRIPTION = 270
+        imgdesc = (pillow_tif.tag_v2.get(IMAGEDESCRIPTION)).split('\n')
+        return imgdesc
+
     def test_init(self):
         """Test creating the writer with no arguments."""
         from satpy.writers.mitiff import MITIFFWriter
@@ -545,81 +564,50 @@ def test_simple_write(self):
 
     def test_save_datasets(self):
         """Test basic writer operation save_datasets."""
-        import os
-
-        import numpy as np
-        from libtiff import TIFF
-
         from satpy.writers.mitiff import MITIFFWriter
-        expected = np.full((100, 200), 0)
+        expected = [np.full((100, 200), 0)]
         dataset = self._get_test_datasets()
         w = MITIFFWriter(base_dir=self.base_dir)
         w.save_datasets(dataset)
         filename = (dataset[0].attrs['metadata_requirements']['file_pattern']).format(
             start_time=dataset[0].attrs['start_time'])
-        tif = TIFF.open(os.path.join(self.base_dir, filename))
-        for image in tif.iter_images():
-            np.testing.assert_allclose(image, expected, atol=1.e-6, rtol=0)
+        self._read_back_mitiff_and_check(os.path.join(self.base_dir, filename), expected)
 
     def test_save_datasets_sensor_set(self):
         """Test basic writer operation save_datasets."""
-        import os
-
-        import numpy as np
-        from libtiff import TIFF
-
         from satpy.writers.mitiff import MITIFFWriter
-        expected = np.full((100, 200), 0)
+        expected = [np.full((100, 200), 0)]
         dataset = self._get_test_datasets_sensor_set()
         w = MITIFFWriter(base_dir=self.base_dir)
         w.save_datasets(dataset)
         filename = (dataset[0].attrs['metadata_requirements']['file_pattern']).format(
             start_time=dataset[0].attrs['start_time'])
-        tif = TIFF.open(os.path.join(self.base_dir, filename))
-        for image in tif.iter_images():
-            np.testing.assert_allclose(image, expected, atol=1.e-6, rtol=0)
+        self._read_back_mitiff_and_check(os.path.join(self.base_dir, filename), expected)
 
     def test_save_one_dataset(self):
         """Test basic writer operation with one dataset ie. no bands."""
-        import os
-
-        from libtiff import TIFF
-
         from satpy.writers.mitiff import MITIFFWriter
         dataset = self._get_test_one_dataset()
         w = MITIFFWriter(base_dir=self.base_dir)
         w.save_dataset(dataset)
-        tif = TIFF.open(os.path.join(self.base_dir, os.listdir(self.base_dir)[0]))
-        IMAGEDESCRIPTION = 270
-        imgdesc = (tif.GetField(IMAGEDESCRIPTION)).decode('utf-8').split('\n')
+        imgdesc = self._imagedescription_from_mitiff(os.path.join(self.base_dir, os.listdir(self.base_dir)[0]))
         for key in imgdesc:
             if 'In this file' in key:
                 self.assertEqual(key, ' Channels: 1 In this file: 1')
 
-    def test_save_one_dataset_sesnor_set(self):
+    def test_save_one_dataset_sensor_set(self):
         """Test basic writer operation with one dataset ie. no bands."""
-        import os
-
-        from libtiff import TIFF
-
         from satpy.writers.mitiff import MITIFFWriter
         dataset = self._get_test_one_dataset_sensor_set()
         w = MITIFFWriter(base_dir=self.base_dir)
         w.save_dataset(dataset)
-        tif = TIFF.open(os.path.join(self.base_dir, os.listdir(self.base_dir)[0]))
-        IMAGEDESCRIPTION = 270
-        imgdesc = (tif.GetField(IMAGEDESCRIPTION)).decode('utf-8').split('\n')
+        imgdesc = self._imagedescription_from_mitiff(os.path.join(self.base_dir, os.listdir(self.base_dir)[0]))
         for key in imgdesc:
             if 'In this file' in key:
                 self.assertEqual(key, ' Channels: 1 In this file: 1')
 
     def test_save_dataset_with_calibration(self):
         """Test writer operation with calibration."""
-        import os
-
-        import numpy as np
-        from libtiff import TIFF
-
         from satpy.writers.mitiff import MITIFFWriter
 
         expected_ir = np.full((100, 200), 255)
@@ -755,9 +743,8 @@ def test_save_dataset_with_calibration(self):
         w.save_dataset(dataset)
         filename = (dataset.attrs['metadata_requirements']['file_pattern']).format(
             start_time=dataset.attrs['start_time'])
-        tif = TIFF.open(os.path.join(self.base_dir, filename))
-        IMAGEDESCRIPTION = 270
-        imgdesc = (tif.GetField(IMAGEDESCRIPTION)).decode('utf-8').split('\n')
+
+        imgdesc = self._imagedescription_from_mitiff(os.path.join(self.base_dir, filename))
         found_table_calibration = False
         number_of_calibrations = 0
         for key in imgdesc:
@@ -785,19 +772,13 @@ def test_save_dataset_with_calibration(self):
                     self.fail("Not a valid channel description i the given key.")
         self.assertTrue(found_table_calibration, "Table_calibration is not found in the imagedescription.")
         self.assertEqual(number_of_calibrations, 6)
-        for i, image in enumerate(tif.iter_images()):
-            np.testing.assert_allclose(image, expected[i], atol=1.e-6, rtol=0)
+        self._read_back_mitiff_and_check(os.path.join(self.base_dir, filename), expected)
 
     def test_save_dataset_with_calibration_one_dataset(self):
         """Test saving if mitiff as dataset with only one channel."""
-        import os
-
-        import numpy as np
-        from libtiff import TIFF
-
         from satpy.writers.mitiff import MITIFFWriter
 
-        expected = np.full((100, 200), 255)
+        expected = [np.full((100, 200), 255)]
         expected_key_channel = [u'Table_calibration: BT, BT, °[C], 8, [ 50.00 49.22 48.43 47.65 46.86 46.08 45.29 '
                                 '44.51 43.73 42.94 42.16 41.37 40.59 39.80 39.02 38.24 37.45 36.67 35.88 35.10 34.31 '
                                 '33.53 32.75 31.96 31.18 30.39 29.61 28.82 28.04 27.25 26.47 25.69 24.90 24.12 23.33 '
@@ -826,9 +807,8 @@ def test_save_dataset_with_calibration_one_dataset(self):
         w.save_dataset(dataset)
         filename = (dataset.attrs['metadata_requirements']['file_pattern']).format(
             start_time=dataset.attrs['start_time'])
-        tif = TIFF.open(os.path.join(self.base_dir, filename))
-        IMAGEDESCRIPTION = 270
-        imgdesc = (tif.GetField(IMAGEDESCRIPTION)).decode('utf-8').split('\n')
+
+        imgdesc = self._imagedescription_from_mitiff(os.path.join(self.base_dir, filename))
         found_table_calibration = False
         number_of_calibrations = 0
         for key in imgdesc:
@@ -839,29 +819,21 @@ def test_save_dataset_with_calibration_one_dataset(self):
                     number_of_calibrations += 1
         self.assertTrue(found_table_calibration, "Expected table_calibration is not found in the imagedescription.")
         self.assertEqual(number_of_calibrations, 1)
-        for image in tif.iter_images():
-            np.testing.assert_allclose(image, expected, atol=1.e-6, rtol=0)
+        self._read_back_mitiff_and_check(os.path.join(self.base_dir, filename), expected)
 
     def test_save_dataset_with_bad_value(self):
         """Test writer operation with bad values."""
-        import os
-
-        import numpy as np
-        from libtiff import TIFF
-
         from satpy.writers.mitiff import MITIFFWriter
 
-        expected = np.array([[0, 4, 1, 37, 73],
-                             [110, 146, 183, 219, 255]])
-
+        _expected = np.array([[0, 4, 1, 37, 73],
+                              [110, 146, 183, 219, 255]])
+        expected = [_expected, _expected, _expected]
         dataset = self._get_test_dataset_with_bad_values()
         w = MITIFFWriter(base_dir=self.base_dir)
         w.save_dataset(dataset)
         filename = "{:s}_{:%Y%m%d_%H%M%S}.mitiff".format(dataset.attrs['name'],
                                                          dataset.attrs['start_time'])
-        tif = TIFF.open(os.path.join(self.base_dir, filename))
-        for image in tif.iter_images():
-            np.testing.assert_allclose(image, expected, atol=1.e-6, rtol=0)
+        self._read_back_mitiff_and_check(os.path.join(self.base_dir, filename), expected, test_shape=(2, 5))
 
     def test_convert_proj4_string(self):
         """Test conversion of geolocations."""
@@ -913,42 +885,37 @@ def test_convert_proj4_string(self):
 
     def test_save_dataset_palette(self):
         """Test writer operation as palette."""
-        import os
-
-        import numpy as np
-        from libtiff import TIFF
-
         from satpy.writers.mitiff import MITIFFWriter
 
-        expected = np.full((100, 200), 0)
-
-        exp_c = ([0, 3, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0,
-                  0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0,
-                  0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0,
-                  0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0,
-                  0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0,
-                  0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0,
-                  0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0,
-                  0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0,
-                  0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0],
-                 [1, 4, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0,
-                  0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0,
-                  0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0,
-                  0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0,
-                  0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0,
-                  0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0,
-                  0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0,
-                  0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0],
-                 [2, 5, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0,
-                  0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0,
-                  0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0,
-                  0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0,
-                  0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0,
-                  0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0,
-                  0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0,
-                  0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0])
-
-        color_map = [[0, 3], [1, 4], [2, 5]]
+        expected = [np.full((100, 200), 0)]
+
+        exp_c = [0, 3, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0,
+                 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0,
+                 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0,
+                 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0,
+                 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0,
+                 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0,
+                 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0,
+                 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0,
+                 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0,
+                 1, 4, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0,
+                 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0,
+                 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0,
+                 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0,
+                 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0,
+                 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0,
+                 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0,
+                 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0,
+                 2, 5, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0,
+                 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0,
+                 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0,
+                 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0,
+                 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0,
+                 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0,
+                 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0,
+                 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0]
+
+        color_map = (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
         pal_desc = ['test', 'test2']
         unit = "Test"
 
@@ -963,14 +930,14 @@ def test_save_dataset_palette(self):
         w.save_dataset(dataset, **palette)
         filename = "{:s}_{:%Y%m%d_%H%M%S}.mitiff".format(dataset.attrs['name'],
                                                          dataset.attrs['start_time'])
-        tif = TIFF.open(os.path.join(self.base_dir, filename))
+        pillow_tif = Image.open(os.path.join(self.base_dir, filename))
         # Need to check PHOTOMETRIC is 3, ie palette
-        self.assertEqual(tif.GetField('PHOTOMETRIC'), 3)
-        colormap = tif.GetField('COLORMAP')
+        self.assertEqual(pillow_tif.tag_v2.get(262), 3)
         # Check the colormap of the palette image
+        palette = pillow_tif.palette
+        colormap = list((palette.getdata())[1])
         self.assertEqual(colormap, exp_c)
-        IMAGEDESCRIPTION = 270
-        imgdesc = (tif.GetField(IMAGEDESCRIPTION)).decode('utf-8').split('\n')
+        imgdesc = self._imagedescription_from_mitiff(os.path.join(self.base_dir, filename))
         found_color_info = False
         unit_name_found = False
         name_length_found = False
@@ -997,8 +964,7 @@ def test_save_dataset_palette(self):
         self.assertEqual(unit_name, ' Test')
         # Check the palette description of the palette
         self.assertEqual(names, [' test', ' test2'])
-        for image in tif.iter_images():
-            np.testing.assert_allclose(image, expected, atol=1.e-6, rtol=0)
+        self._read_back_mitiff_and_check(os.path.join(self.base_dir, filename), expected)
 
     def test_simple_write_two_bands(self):
         """Test basic writer operation with 3 bands from 2 prerequisites."""
@@ -1009,20 +975,69 @@ def test_simple_write_two_bands(self):
 
     def test_get_test_dataset_three_bands_prereq(self):
         """Test basic writer operation with 3 bands with DataQuery prerequisites with missing name."""
-        import os
-
-        from libtiff import TIFF
-
         from satpy.writers.mitiff import MITIFFWriter
-        IMAGEDESCRIPTION = 270
 
         dataset = self._get_test_dataset_three_bands_prereq()
         w = MITIFFWriter(base_dir=self.base_dir)
         w.save_dataset(dataset)
         filename = "{:s}_{:%Y%m%d_%H%M%S}.mitiff".format(dataset.attrs['name'],
                                                          dataset.attrs['start_time'])
-        tif = TIFF.open(os.path.join(self.base_dir, filename))
-        imgdesc = (tif.GetField(IMAGEDESCRIPTION)).decode('utf-8').split('\n')
+        imgdesc = self._imagedescription_from_mitiff(os.path.join(self.base_dir, filename))
         for element in imgdesc:
             if ' Channels:' in element:
                 self.assertEqual(element, ' Channels: 3 In this file: 1 2 3')
+
+    def test_save_dataset_with_calibration_error_one_dataset(self):
+        """Test saving if mitiff as dataset with only one channel with invalid calibration."""
+        import sys
+
+        from satpy.tests.utils import make_dsq
+        from satpy.writers.mitiff import MITIFFWriter
+        logger.level = logging.DEBUG
+
+        dataset = self._get_test_dataset_calibration_one_dataset()
+        prereqs = [make_dsq(name='4', calibration='not_valid_calibration_name')]
+        dataset.attrs['prerequisites'] = prereqs
+        w = MITIFFWriter(filename=dataset.attrs['metadata_requirements']['file_pattern'], base_dir=self.base_dir)
+        _reverse_offset = 0.
+        _reverse_scale = 1.
+        _decimals = 2
+        stream_handler = logging.StreamHandler(sys.stdout)
+        logger.addHandler(stream_handler)
+        try:
+            with self.assertLogs(logger) as lc:
+                w._add_calibration_datasets(4, dataset, _reverse_offset, _reverse_scale, _decimals)
+                for _op in lc.output:
+                    self.assertIn("Unknown calib type. Must be Radiance, Reflectance or BT.", _op)
+        finally:
+            logger.removeHandler(stream_handler)
+
+    def test_save_dataset_with_missing_palette(self):
+        """Test saving if mitiff missing palette."""
+        import sys
+
+        from satpy.writers.mitiff import MITIFFWriter
+        stream_handler = logging.StreamHandler(sys.stdout)
+        logger.addHandler(stream_handler)
+        logger.setLevel(logging.DEBUG)
+
+        dataset = self._get_test_one_dataset()
+        pal_desc = ['test', 'test2']
+        unit = "Test"
+        palette = {'palette': True,
+                   'palette_description': pal_desc,
+                   'palette_unit': unit,
+                   'palette_channel_name': dataset.attrs['name']}
+        w = MITIFFWriter(base_dir=self.base_dir)
+        tiffinfo = {}
+        tiffinfo[270] = "Just dummy image desc".encode('utf-8')
+        filename = "{:s}_{:%Y%m%d_%H%M%S}.mitiff".format(dataset.attrs['name'],
+                                                         dataset.attrs['start_time'])
+        try:
+            with self.assertLogs(logger, logging.ERROR) as lc:
+                w._save_as_palette(dataset.compute(), os.path.join(self.base_dir, filename), tiffinfo, **palette)
+            for _op in lc.output:
+                self.assertIn(("In a mitiff palette image a color map must be provided: "
+                               "palette_color_map is missing."), _op)
+        finally:
+            logger.removeHandler(stream_handler)
diff --git a/satpy/writers/mitiff.py b/satpy/writers/mitiff.py
index ef07417527..d85527e7a6 100644
--- a/satpy/writers/mitiff.py
+++ b/satpy/writers/mitiff.py
@@ -18,9 +18,11 @@
 """MITIFF writer objects for creating MITIFF files from `Dataset` objects."""
 
 import logging
+import os
 
 import dask
 import numpy as np
+from PIL import Image, ImagePalette
 
 from satpy.dataset import DataID, DataQuery
 from satpy.writers import ImageWriter, get_enhanced_image
@@ -367,7 +369,7 @@ def _add_calibration_datasets(self, ch, datasets, reverse_offset, reverse_scale,
                     elif ds.attrs['prerequisites'][i].get('calibration') == 'brightness_temperature':
                         found_calibration = True
                         _table_calibration += ', BT, '
-                        _table_calibration += u'\u00B0'  # '\u2103'
+                        _table_calibration += "\N{DEGREE SIGN}"
                         _table_calibration += u'[C]'
 
                         _reverse_offset = 255.
@@ -621,7 +623,7 @@ def _calibrate_data(self, dataset, calibration, min_val, max_val):
                                                   (float(max_val) - float(min_val))) * 255.
         return _data.clip(0, 255)
 
-    def _save_as_palette(self, tif, datasets, **kwargs):
+    def _save_as_palette(self, datasets, tmp_gen_filename, tiffinfo, **kwargs):
         # MITIFF palette has only one data channel
         if len(datasets.dims) == 2:
             LOG.debug("Palette ok with only 2 dimensions. ie only x and y")
@@ -629,40 +631,45 @@ def _save_as_palette(self, tif, datasets, **kwargs):
             # The value of the component is used as an index into the red, green and blue curves
             # in the ColorMap field to retrieve an RGB triplet that defines the color. When
             # PhotometricInterpretation=3 is used, ColorMap must be present and SamplesPerPixel must be 1.
-            tif.SetField('PHOTOMETRIC', 3)
-
-            # As write_image can not save tiff image as palette, this has to be done basicly
-            # ie. all needed tags needs to be set.
-            tif.SetField('IMAGEWIDTH', datasets.sizes['x'])
-            tif.SetField('IMAGELENGTH', datasets.sizes['y'])
-            tif.SetField('BITSPERSAMPLE', 8)
-            tif.SetField('COMPRESSION', tif.get_tag_define('deflate'))
+            tiffinfo[270] = tiffinfo[270].decode('utf-8')
 
+            img = Image.fromarray(datasets.data.astype(np.uint8), mode='P')
             if 'palette_color_map' in kwargs:
-                tif.SetField('COLORMAP', kwargs['palette_color_map'])
+                img.putpalette(ImagePalette.ImagePalette('RGB', kwargs['palette_color_map']))
             else:
-                LOG.ERROR("In a mitiff palette image a color map must be provided: palette_color_map is missing.")
+                LOG.error("In a mitiff palette image a color map must be provided: palette_color_map is missing.")
+                return
 
-            data_type = np.uint8
-            # Looks like we need to pass the data to writeencodedstrip as ctypes
-            cont_data = np.ascontiguousarray(datasets.data, data_type)
-            tif.WriteEncodedStrip(0, cont_data.ctypes.data,
-                                  datasets.sizes['x'] * datasets.sizes['y'])
-            tif.WriteDirectory()
+            img.save(tmp_gen_filename, compression='tiff_deflate', compress_level=9, tiffinfo=tiffinfo)
 
-    def _save_as_enhanced(self, tif, datasets, **kwargs):
+    def _save_as_enhanced(self, datasets, tmp_gen_filename, **kwargs):
         """Save datasets as an enhanced RGB image."""
         img = get_enhanced_image(datasets.squeeze(), enhance=self.enhancer)
+        tiffinfo = {}
         if 'bands' in img.data.sizes and 'bands' not in datasets.sizes:
             LOG.debug("Datasets without 'bands' become image with 'bands' due to enhancement.")
             LOG.debug("Needs to regenerate mitiff image description")
-            image_description = self._make_image_description(img.data, **kwargs)
-            tif.SetField(IMAGEDESCRIPTION, (image_description).encode('utf-8'))
+        image_description = self._make_image_description(img.data, **kwargs)
+        tiffinfo[IMAGEDESCRIPTION] = (image_description).encode('utf-8')
+
+        mitiff_frames = []
         for band in img.data['bands']:
             chn = img.data.sel(bands=band)
             data = chn.values.clip(0, 1) * 254. + 1
             data = data.clip(0, 255)
-            tif.write_image(data.astype(np.uint8), compression='deflate')
+            mitiff_frames.append(Image.fromarray(data.astype(np.uint8), mode='L'))
+        mitiff_frames[0].save(tmp_gen_filename, save_all=True, append_images=mitiff_frames[1:],
+                              compression='tiff_deflate', compress_level=9, tiffinfo=tiffinfo)
+
+    def _generate_intermediate_filename(self, gen_filename):
+        """Replace mitiff ext because pillow doesn't recognise the file type."""
+        bs, ex = os.path.splitext(gen_filename)
+        tmp_gen_filename = gen_filename
+        if ex.endswith('mitiff'):
+            bd = os.path.dirname(bs)
+            bn = os.path.basename(bs)
+            tmp_gen_filename = os.path.join(bd, '.' + bn + '.tif')
+        return tmp_gen_filename
 
     def _save_datasets_as_mitiff(self, datasets, image_description,
                                  gen_filename, **kwargs):
@@ -671,15 +678,14 @@ def _save_datasets_as_mitiff(self, datasets, image_description,
         Include the special tags making it a mitiff file.
 
         """
-        from libtiff import TIFF
-
-        tif = TIFF.open(gen_filename, mode='wb')
-
-        tif.SetField(IMAGEDESCRIPTION, (image_description).encode('utf-8'))
+        tmp_gen_filename = self._generate_intermediate_filename(gen_filename)
+        tiffinfo = {}
+        tiffinfo[IMAGEDESCRIPTION] = (image_description).encode('latin-1')
 
         cns = self.translate_channel_name.get(kwargs['sensor'], {})
         if isinstance(datasets, list):
             LOG.debug("Saving datasets as list")
+            mitiff_frames = []
             for _cn in self.channel_order[kwargs['sensor']]:
                 for dataset in datasets:
                     if dataset.attrs['name'] == _cn:
@@ -688,19 +694,22 @@ def _save_datasets_as_mitiff(self, datasets, image_description,
                         data = self._calibrate_data(dataset, dataset.attrs['calibration'],
                                                     self.mitiff_config[kwargs['sensor']][cn]['min-val'],
                                                     self.mitiff_config[kwargs['sensor']][cn]['max-val'])
-                        tif.write_image(data.astype(np.uint8), compression='deflate')
+                        mitiff_frames.append(Image.fromarray(data.astype(np.uint8), mode='L'))
                         break
+            mitiff_frames[0].save(tmp_gen_filename, save_all=True, append_images=mitiff_frames[1:],
+                                  compression='tiff_deflate', compress_level=9, tiffinfo=tiffinfo)
         elif 'dataset' in datasets.attrs['name']:
-            self._save_single_dataset(datasets, cns, tif, kwargs)
+            LOG.debug("Saving dataset as single dataset.")
+            self._save_single_dataset(datasets, cns, tmp_gen_filename, tiffinfo, kwargs)
         elif self.palette:
             LOG.debug("Saving dataset as palette.")
-            self._save_as_palette(tif, datasets, **kwargs)
+            self._save_as_palette(datasets, tmp_gen_filename, tiffinfo, **kwargs)
         else:
             LOG.debug("Saving datasets as enhanced image")
-            self._save_as_enhanced(tif, datasets, **kwargs)
-        del tif
+            self._save_as_enhanced(datasets, tmp_gen_filename, **kwargs)
+        os.rename(tmp_gen_filename, gen_filename)
 
-    def _save_single_dataset(self, datasets, cns, tif, kwargs):
+    def _save_single_dataset(self, datasets, cns, tmp_gen_filename, tiffinfo, kwargs):
         LOG.debug("Saving %s as a dataset.", datasets.attrs['name'])
         if len(datasets.dims) == 2 and (all('bands' not in i for i in datasets.dims)):
             # Special case with only one channel ie. no bands
@@ -712,8 +721,8 @@ def _save_single_dataset(self, datasets, cns, tif, kwargs):
             data = self._calibrate_data(datasets, datasets.attrs['prerequisites'][0].get('calibration'),
                                         self.mitiff_config[kwargs['sensor']][cn]['min-val'],
                                         self.mitiff_config[kwargs['sensor']][cn]['max-val'])
-
-            tif.write_image(data.astype(np.uint8), compression='deflate')
+            Image.fromarray(data.astype(np.uint8)).save(tmp_gen_filename, compression='tiff_deflate',
+                                                        compress_level=9, tiffinfo=tiffinfo)
         else:
             for _cn_i, _cn in enumerate(self.channel_order[kwargs['sensor']]):
                 for band in datasets['bands']:
@@ -727,5 +736,6 @@ def _save_single_dataset(self, datasets, cns, tif, kwargs):
                                                     self.mitiff_config[kwargs['sensor']][cn]['min-val'],
                                                     self.mitiff_config[kwargs['sensor']][cn]['max-val'])
 
-                        tif.write_image(data.astype(np.uint8), compression='deflate')
+                        Image.fromarray(data.astype(np.uint8)).save(tmp_gen_filename, compression='tiff_deflate',
+                                                                    compress_level=9, tiffinfo=tiffinfo)
                         break