Advice needed please

[OurManInTangier]

I've got a light leak somewhere and I'm hoping someone here may be able to tell me if its an 'in-camera' light leak or a processing light leak.

I tend to shoot Delta 100 in my M6 'classic' and TriX in my M6 TTL, looking at my negs it would appear that the TTL has what has been called a 'leica leak' as the Delta 100 negs are fine whilst some, but not all, frames from negs shot on TriX look like the pics below. All my processing is done using the same tank, black-out bag and methods.....is it time to get my TTL CLA'd by somone and if so does anyone know anyone good in the UK?

 

[OurManInTangier]

 

[Chris101]

Is it always in the same position relative to the frame? If so, then that supports an 'in-camera' leak, and not a processing leak.

 

[OurManInTangier]

Yes, unfortunately it is in exactly the same spot. Sometimes its quite a large looking leak, othertimes less so but always in the same place.

 

[Axel]

Could be a shutter problem. Somehow your shutter clothes slow down on the left side. Could be smaller with higher speeds an larger with lower.
Did you check the light seals on the back plate of the camera?

Regards, Axel

 

[kully]

Is that streak just in the frame, or does it extend into the sprocket holes?

 

[OurManInTangier]

Yeah, it goes right down into the sprocket holes Kully.

Axel, you may be onto something here, it does tend to appear on images where I've used a smaller aperture - the two images above are prime examples of that though I didn't upload an example with a larger aperture.

 

[mfogiel]

It looks like a shutter curtain curl

 

[OurManInTangier]

It looks like a shutter curtain curl

I've never heard of this. Would you mind explaining for me please?
It would certainly appear that I need to get this camera looked at by someone.

I'm working in Singapore, Perth, Sydney and San Francisco at the end of July and into August all on the trot and had planned to take both M6 bodies, looks like it will be one M6 and an M8 as I doubt that I'll get the TTL back in time even if I sent it off somewhere tomorrow.

 

[Chris101]

Yeah, it goes right down into the sprocket holes Kully. ...

That pretty much rules out a shutter problem, as even with a broken shutter, the film gate will prevent light that is coming from the front from getting to the sprocket area.

I would suspect that it is a back door leak, and that the difference between big leak/small leak/no leak is due to the light environment of the camera, and how long it had been since you advanced the film.

 

[mfogiel]

It looks to me, like the cloth curtain of your shutter has ben bent, or for some reason bends during the exposure. I have seen this happen on rubberized cloth shutters of some old cameras. It can be caused by some obstacle on the path of the shutter which creates a friction effect.

 

[OurManInTangier]

I've just had a good look at the curtain and it seems to be aligned and in good shape...though obviously if something is happening during the exposure its hard to tell just by looking.

I think I need to send it away to be given a good health spa experience, could anyone help with some advice regarding UK or European CLA type people?

Many thanks for your help

 

[keeds]

Don't know about Leica, but had a Rolleicord and Rolleiflex CLA'd at Newton & Ellis in Liverpool. Turnaround was less than 2 weeks. Very satisfied.

 

[yoyo22]

A good address for a Leica CLA in UK: CRR Luton --> Click here.
Just give him a ring, don't try to email him.

 

[OurManInTangier]

CRR aren't taking new repairs until July according to their website. I'll give them and the guys in Liverpool a ring and go from there.

Thanks to everyone for the help & suggestions.

 

[Pablito]

Sherry Krauter (The Leica Lady) in USA is very good and especially likes doing work for pros - she can do a fast turn around if you phone her and explain your situation. She will ship FedEx or any way you like. I suggest you phone her. She's a phone person, but she does anwer emails. Google "Golden Touch"

If the splotch of light on the film goes all the way down on the sprocket holes to the edge of the film, then the problem is not the shutter, as someone above said.