I see signs of a shutter curtain damage

raid

raid

Dad Photographer
Local time
7:23 AM
Joined
Nov 2, 2005
Messages
36,565
Which RF cameras use cloth shutter curtains?
I got back today a roll of film that I took last weekend.
There is a clear star like burn in every negative.
It indicates that the shutter curtain has a hole.
It is most likely a cloth shutter curtain.
Is it only Leica that uses cloth shutter curtains?
I could have used any of these cameras last weekend:

Hexar RF
M6
M3
Canon P
Canon 7

If it were a Barnack Leica, how would you inspect the curtains? The back does not come off.

I am now concerned about the Kodachrome rolls that I have exposed with the M6 or M3. I inspected the M6 by opening the back door and removing the lens from the front. I pointed the back of the camera at a light source while using a lupe to see if i can detect any light leaks. I could not.
The P has a metal curtain I think.
What about the Hexar RF?

Help.
 

Attachments

  • 002797-R1-14-14Arff.jpg
    002797-R1-14-14Arff.jpg
    77.5 KB · Views: 0
Last edited:
To check a Barnack body, stick a business card in where the film goes, remove the lens and see if you can see the hole. I big hole will be obvious.

For pinholes, the body shell has to come off. That is a bit fiddly, if it has a self timer. Otherwise it is straight-forward.

Vick
 
Thanks for the tip, Vick.
I just checked online about the Hexar RF. It has a metal shutter.
It may be the M3 or the M6 then.
 
Sorry to hear that Raid,

Like Vickko said on the B-bodies, or try a flashlight from below.

Neither the P of the 7 should be guilty... both have titanium foil.

Dunno about the Hex - too rich for my old blood. :rolleyes:
 
I have film in the M3. I may have to remove the roll to check out the camera.
Rick, I got the Hexar RF for very little.
 
I may have carried two cameras and withour covering the lens.
The sun was very strong, and it could be that while using one camera, the other camera was exposed to the direct sunlight. I will try to avoid such a thing.
 

Attachments

  • 002797-R1-18-18Arff.jpg
    002797-R1-18-18Arff.jpg
    103.5 KB · Views: 0
Last edited:
It has to be the M3 or the M6.
Should I place a light behind the curtain and see if in a dark room I see any holes?
 
I just had a tear in my M3 at the seam. I feel the suckiness of the situation. For the barnack, i wonder if you could shine a penlight from under the chassis and behind the curtain. good luck.
 
I tried one of those LED push button lights, about $3. It was too big for my IIIa, so I broke it and taped the Led to the button cells. It worked fine and helped me find a light leak. I just dropped it in place of the film cassette and went to a dark place for my eyes to adjust, about 20 minutes in the dark.

You should call the UFO people about those pictures. :)
 
I'd suspect either the M3 or M6, Raid. And if the roll you've got in your M3 has the same problem, you'll know the culprit. For Barnacks, take the lens off and look closely at the shutter curtains; you'll be able to see signs of holes or wear. If it's not too bad and is limited to one spot, a little liquid electrician's tape will take care of it.
 
Steve,
I removed the roll from the M3 so that I get it developed quickly.
If it is OK, then it it is the M6 or the Standard Leica that has the pinholes.
 
Right, dropping the shell can be fiddly, and disastrous. You can lower the value on a collector-grade screw mount Leica by 30% if you don't know what you're doing, especially with post '52 IIIfs.

If you want to check curtains, drop the shell properly and go into a pitch black room with a small flashlight and new batteries. If you're over 40, grab a magvisor too. Pinholes can be very elusive, particularly around the sewn seam.
 
raid said:
Steve,
I removed the roll from the M3 so that I get it developed quickly.
If it is OK, then it it is the M6 or the Standard Leica that has the pinholes.
Click to expand...

Once you identify the culprit, Raid, and assuming the damage is not too extensive, I'd recommend "Brush On Electrical Tape," which you can buy at your local hardware store. Take the lens off, and apply sparingly w/ a wooden matchstick to the hole, and let dry for 24 hours. That should take care of it.
 
It is most likely the M6. Robin and I walked along the beaches in very strong sunlight two weeks ago. He just emailed me that I had with me the M6 and the P.
 
I just checked out the M6 and the M3 for light leaks, and I was not able to find any.
1. I removed the lens.
2. Went into a dark room
3. Pointed a strong light at the curtain while I look from the other side.
4. I switched sides for the light direction. No light can be seen.

I really thought that it was the M6.
Now what?
 
did you check both curtains?

also try shining a light while winding slowly (less likey though-yours looks like a hole)
 
dragunov said:
did you check both curtains?

also try shining a light while winding slowly (less likey though-yours looks like a hole)
Click to expand...

I looked through one curtain, then I advanced one frame and looked again. Isn't this enough? I looked from both sides.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom