Shutter issue?

[thefountainhead]

Hello RF,

I've just started shooting FED3, and a great majority of films has this white light in the middle. Since not all pictures had this issue, I thought it's either shutter issue, or an inconsistent light leak, or shutter curtain not begin in sync.

Today i went out and took all pictures with 1/250 shutter speed, and every single picture has that line! Has anyone else experienced this issue? I have adjusted shutter tension following the sticky, but i'm starting to think it has to do with a faulty shutter mechanism that fails at 1/250. 🙁

 

[ZorkiKat]

This is shutter capping. Tensioning the shutter- did you increase it?- is not always a good solution. In fact it can also be harmful. If the mechanism is dirty or dry, tensioning will not do much. Try flush cleaning first and then retense as instructed. The least necessary tensioning (4 to 5 turns for the rollers) is better.

 

[fidget]

Does the mark extend outside of the frame?

Dave

 

[wolves3012]

What Zorkikat says is right, however, I'm not convinced that isn't a light-leak of some sort. The light patch looks exactly the same shape, size and position in both frames. The bottom of the frame corresponds to the top of the film aperture, are there any screws missing, obvious damage etc in that area? You might try removing the back and examining the top of the frame (empty camera, of course) with the front of the camera facing a bright light source. Try it with the shutter cocked, uncocked and also watch as you wind on, slowly. I also think this isn't the only issue: the building shot also shows a problem on the right-hand side and that's probably related to a shutter not running correctly.

 

[thefountainhead]

sorry for late reply everyone. I'm currently travelling in London. I have followed the sticky again to alter curtain tension, however I'm making sure to avoid using 1/250 shutter speed during the whole trip. I will develop the films in a few days when i get home, and report back. Thank you for your replies!

 

[thefountainhead]

I got my films scanned, and i'm more confused now. Most of the pictures came out fine, but a few frames, seemingly random, still had that streak of white in the same place! Perhaps it is a light leak of some sort?
you can see it faintly on the attached picture

 

[thefountainhead]

i'll attach a picture that came out fine as well.

every frame was taken not using 1/250, but the problem continued, but less frame was affected (3~4 per 36). So i guess it's a combination of shutter tension and shutter mechanism? if so, should i just keep adjusting tension until i get it right? :bang:

 

[Dez]

i'll attach a picture that came out fine as well.

every frame was taken not using 1/250, but the problem continued, but less frame was affected (3~4 per 36). So i guess it's a combination of shutter tension and shutter mechanism? if so, should i just keep adjusting tension until i get it right? :bang:

It's probably not a good idea to adjust the shutter tension unless you are absolutely sure that this is the problem. It does look like a light leak to me. Shutter capping will produce a black bar on the positive. Temporary second curtain hanging will produce a light bar, but in both cases, the edges will almost always be straight up and down. The crucial question is whether or not the black streak on the negative extends outside the frame. If it does, it is a leak for sure. Try fitting a length of black wool along the length of the slot into which the removable back fits. The back will still fit, but this will cure most light leaks. Also, it is a good idea to go over the bright aluminum edge of the removable back with black paint or permanent marker.

Cheers,
Dez

 

[thefountainhead]

It's probably not a good idea to adjust the shutter tension unless you are absolutely sure that this is the problem. It does look like a light leak to me. Shutter capping will produce a black bar on the positive. Temporary second curtain hanging will produce a light bar, but in both cases, the edges will almost always be straight up and down. The crucial question is whether or not the black streak on the negative extends outside the frame. If it does, it is a leak for sure. Try fitting a length of black wool along the length of the slot into which the removable back fits. The back will still fit, but this will cure most light leaks. Also, it is a good idea to go over the bright aluminum edge of the removable back with black paint or permanent marker.

Cheers,
Dez

I just checked the negatives, and yes the lines do extend outside the frame through sprocket holes. I will go over the edge with a permanent marker, and shoot another test roll. Thank you!

 

[Dez]

I just checked the negatives, and yes the lines do extend outside the frame through sprocket holes. I will go over the edge with a permanent marker, and shoot another test roll. Thank you!

Great stuff!
Look for anything that may provide a leak near the center of the frame, at the top. It appears to be coming from one specific point; maybe there is a nick in the back at this point? The black marker will help, but the black wool is the more effective fix.

Cheers,
Dez

 

[wolves3012]

In addition to Dez's advice, after loading a film, you might try putting black tape along the seam across the top of the body/back to cover the join. If the issue disappears, it proves where the leak was from. Try leaving it un-taped and in daylight for a while too, make notes of what you did in terms of frame-count.

Light leaks can be fiendishly hard to find, so you can't just try random things.