Worried... Flare? Light leak?

[braver]

Last rolls from my M6, shot with the 28 Elmarit, show some evidential light leaking streaks, as well as artifact apparant in the image below. Always in the same spot in a number of instances (not always there though). What do you guys think, could this also be a light leak, or is it a flare or ghost from the lens?

 

[dogberryjr]

It doesn't seem to go to the edge of the film, so I would be more inclined to think flare. Were you using a filter?

 

[Roger Hicks]

Looking at the direction of the light, flare seems unlikely too, and flare/ghosting wouldn't always be in the same place. I assume you've ruled out a shutter pinhole by holding the camera up to a VERY strong light, lens off, back open, shutter cocked and uncocked. Are you sure it's not a printing artifact?

Cheers,

R.

 

[Ron (Netherlands)]

Might be due to a reflecting light source coming from the building.

Shot at Madurodam The Hague?

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Do they ever show up between the frames, looking at a negative strip?


We've seen artifacts like this from the back of the Leica M's before. A fitted case provides a "last barrier".

 

[braver]

Shot at Madurodam The Hague?

Yup 🙂 Hadn't been there for a while, it's great.

Do they ever show up between the frames, looking at a negative strip?

I should check again, but haven't spotted it outside the frame. In fact, it's always in the same spot.
Which is what worries me. Flare was my first thought, some shots with this issue have very bright subjects and it was very sunny. However, I was using the hood and no filter, and this lens is not supposed to flare!

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Looking though the lens: is there any haze, cracks in an inner element, or deep scratches?

I have a Summicron -bought dirt cheap- with a fracture in an inner element. On some rare shots, into strong light sources, the fractured glass produces something much like this.

 

[braver]

Looking though the lens: is there any haze, cracks in an inner element, or deep scratches?

No, the lens is perfect, indistinguishable from new, and the glass is definitely flawless...

 

[bobkatz]

Im afraid is a curtain problem...check it with a light,,,
something like that with my m3...😡
Bob

 

[braver]

Yeah that's what I thought. Well, the M6 is going back for full service, luckily still covered by warranty from the last time Will van Manen looked at it. Good thing I got a backup, there are worse things in life than having to use an M2 for a while 😉