regularchickens
Well-known
Hello all. I've had an M2 since March, and it has a problem with spills of light that show up on one or two frames on nearly every roll I take. I'm wondering if it's related to flare, as the problem is often more pronounced when I'm taking photos in strong, direct sunlight. This problem has persisted through even a CLA, so I'm really scratching my head. Is it flare? Is it a misbehaving shutter?
Here's a photo to demonstrate what happens. Note the light-leak-like spill of light along the left edge.
Any ideas? Any help would be much appreciated.
Here's a photo to demonstrate what happens. Note the light-leak-like spill of light along the left edge.
Any ideas? Any help would be much appreciated.
FrankS
Registered User
It looks like a light leak to me. Shutter problems usually look like bands across the short dimension of the film, not along the long dimension as shown in your example.
Do you hold your camera with the shutter release up or down while taking vertcal shots like this? That info will tell you if the leak is along the top or the bottom of the film gate.
Do you hold your camera with the shutter release up or down while taking vertcal shots like this? That info will tell you if the leak is along the top or the bottom of the film gate.
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regularchickens
Well-known
I hold the camera with the shutter release up, and indeed, the light spill happens across the top of the frame when I take a horizontal shot. I've held the camera up to the light with the lens off and the back open to try to see a leak, but I haven't been able to see one. I might be looking in the wrong place.
Youxin Ye did the CLA. I tried to explain the problem to him back when I became aware of it, and he advised that I keep the lens cap on when I'm not taking photos.
Youxin Ye did the CLA. I tried to explain the problem to him back when I became aware of it, and he advised that I keep the lens cap on when I'm not taking photos.
FrankS
Registered User
I would think that if you sent an email to Youxn with this picture, he would set things right.
Stu W
Well-known
Do you process the film yourself?
regularchickens
Well-known
I've just sent an email to Youxin Ye with a couple of photos of the problem, so hopefully this can be fixed up soon. 
I do, though this also happens on color rolls that I have processed at a lab.
Stu W
Well-known
Let us know what Youxin thinks. Stu
colyn
ישו משיח
Remove the rear door and take a look at the hinge area on the body. Is there a seal that looks like shutter curtain material?? There should be a seal to keep light from bleeding between the hinge and body..
Blank288
Established
My M2 has shown the same issue. In my case it only happened while changing lenses.
The curtain is kept 'flat' against the film gate by a frame. There are probably some sort of felt rims too to keep light out.
It is very likely that the frame on top or bottom side of the shutter curtain could be better adjusted. The problem should be visible when you look at the back side of the curtains against a bright light source. Try to look at an angle up or down along the curtains. maybe you should transport the shutter to see if the leak occurs during their movement.
In my case the leak showed up after a CLA (fortunately done in my home town). I returned the camera; repair was an immediate, quick and easy fix. My repairman explained that older shutter curtains are somewhat prone to this problem because they tend to curl up a bit along their long sides, thus making it possible for light to pass.
I am not sure if he only adjusted the position of the frame or replaced the felt too.
I think Youxin will address the problem promptly when indeed this is the cause.
The curtain is kept 'flat' against the film gate by a frame. There are probably some sort of felt rims too to keep light out.
It is very likely that the frame on top or bottom side of the shutter curtain could be better adjusted. The problem should be visible when you look at the back side of the curtains against a bright light source. Try to look at an angle up or down along the curtains. maybe you should transport the shutter to see if the leak occurs during their movement.
In my case the leak showed up after a CLA (fortunately done in my home town). I returned the camera; repair was an immediate, quick and easy fix. My repairman explained that older shutter curtains are somewhat prone to this problem because they tend to curl up a bit along their long sides, thus making it possible for light to pass.
I am not sure if he only adjusted the position of the frame or replaced the felt too.
I think Youxin will address the problem promptly when indeed this is the cause.
Sparrow
Veteran
I get this perhaps once in 100 shots
With the sun just out of shot, I've come to the conclusion it's stray light bouncing off the bright parts in the lens mount and an m to ltm adaptor
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3029/2811008056_8b293e5974_b.jpg
With the sun just out of shot, I've come to the conclusion it's stray light bouncing off the bright parts in the lens mount and an m to ltm adaptor
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3029/2811008056_8b293e5974_b.jpg
payasam
a.k.a. Mukul Dube
Same problem as Erik (only when lenses were changed), but with a IIIc. Turned out to be the front light shield.
[edit] Sorry, should have said lower light shield.
[edit] Sorry, should have said lower light shield.
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Tom A
RFF Sponsor
It most likely is the light shield that has come adrift. Can also be the hinge on the back door. There is a "felt" like material that supposedly eliminates stray light there. With age it gets compressed and cease to function. The fact that it is an intermittent problem makes me suspect that. It would only show up with direct and strong sunlight on the back of the camera. When you are shooting, your face and hand provides extra "shade", but once you have cocked the shutter and it is put down or suspended from a shoulder, direct light can hit the back.
I have had it on a couple of M3's and also on a severely beaten up M2. Had the seal changed - but on one it showed up during an assignment (usual 12 exp test roll midway through the job). I stuck some black tape over the hinge and it solved it temporarily. Try sticking some black electrical or gaffers tape along the top of the hinge - shoot another couple of rolls and be sure to expose the backside to the sun (the camera's - not your own) and see if the flare still shows up. If it does, it is probably the light seal inside. Either way, not a big job.
I have had it on a couple of M3's and also on a severely beaten up M2. Had the seal changed - but on one it showed up during an assignment (usual 12 exp test roll midway through the job). I stuck some black tape over the hinge and it solved it temporarily. Try sticking some black electrical or gaffers tape along the top of the hinge - shoot another couple of rolls and be sure to expose the backside to the sun (the camera's - not your own) and see if the flare still shows up. If it does, it is probably the light seal inside. Either way, not a big job.
Erik van Straten
Veteran
I get this perhaps once in 100 shots
With the sun just out of shot, I've come to the conclusion it's stray light bouncing off the bright parts in the lens mount and an m to ltm adaptor
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3029/2811008056_8b293e5974_b.jpg
Looks like you placed the camera wihout a lenscap for some time in a luminous surrounding. The film slowly builds up stray light that enters the lens and passes the shutter. M2 and M3 shutters are not very light-tight. The MP is better in that respect. Solution: allways use a lenscap, exept when actually taking a picture. Another solution: retension and release the shutter a couple of times before shooting. This, however, will cost you some frames on your film.
Erik.