Curtain Light Leak

oscroft

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I've shot a film with my new FED3 (with J-8), and there's evidence of a light leak in the shutter curtain. I can see a worn patch on one of the curtains, and when I hold it against a very strong light I can see a faint bit of light getting through. It only affected 2 out of 24 frames, so I'm guessing I happened to have it pointed towards the sun for those.

Is there anything you can get to paint on worn patches of shutter curtain? I really don't want to have to replace the curtain, because the shutter is otherwise working beautifully and the speeds are just about spot on (even the slow ones down to 1 sec).

As an aside, I'm very pleased with the J-8. Sharpness and contrast look excellent, and it feels really nice in the hand.
 
Liquitex Acrylic paint has worked on my Canon IIF. I painted on two thin coats, working the paint gently into the shutter curtain.
 

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One way I have fixed curtain leaks is to mix lamp black (found at any art supply store) with thinned rubber cement then carefully paint it onto the affected area. You will need to let it set for at least 24 hours afterward.
Another thing you can do is to glue a small patch from and old shutter curtain onto the hole. Be sure to make it just large enough to cover. :cool:
 
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Just a quick note to say thanks - I've gone with two thin coats of black acrylic paint worked gently into the fabric, and that seems to have done the trick.
 
I have solved same problem with a special paint used for writing on T-shirt. It's deep black, thick and elastic when dry. Two or three hands and remember to let the hand dry for 24h, SO, IF IT IS THE SECOND CURTAIN, you have to cock the shutter (so exposing the curtain), but be aware not to shoot in the next 24h or the curtain will stick in a mess...
I am on the third/fourth roll after the treatment and no more light leaks.
ciao
 
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