How many kinds of light leaks in my first roll of Kiev 4AM?

optikhit

Photo gear player
Local time
8:15 PM
Joined
Nov 15, 2005
Messages
162
Location
Harbin, China
My first roll of Kiev 4AM has been developed. There are a lot of terrible light leaks in it. I have check in the forum about the lght leaks, however I still want to post this. I want to have your ideas about what kinds of light leaks have happened in my case, AND more importantly what can I do. Here I give 5 images enclosed.
 
Last edited:
Right, do everything as written at Kiev Survival site, then check again. That should take care of the most common leaks.
 
Months and months ago I read someone's post on RFF that said something like if the leak is throught the lens/curtain, it looks white, and if the leak comes through the camera body it looks orange. Does anyone else remember that?
 
Frank said:
if the leak is throught the lens/curtain, it looks white, and if the leak comes through the camera body it looks orange. Does anyone else remember that?
No, I don't remeber that. I can't think why it would change colour. Kiev 4 has a metal "solid rock" curtain.
 
FrankS said:
Months and months ago I read someone's post on RFF that said something like if the leak is throught the lens/curtain, it looks white, and if the leak comes through the camera body it looks orange. Does anyone else remember that?

Never heard that, but I guess it makes sense if the light is going through an orange mask.

optikhit, I realize it's a completely different shutter system, but the curtain leaks i had in my zorki were consistent in placement. even though they varied by degree and did not always appear, they were always in the same place.

I feel I ought to raise the possibility that the light contamination might have happened outside of the camera. I think you need to trash another roll before you start disassembling your camera or gluing things to it.
 
allthumbs said:
Never heard that, but I guess it makes sense if the light is going through an orange mask.

optikhit, I realize it's a completely different shutter system, but the curtain leaks i had in my zorki were consistent in placement. even though they varied by degree and did not always appear, they were always in the same place.

I feel I ought to raise the possibility that the light contamination might have happened outside of the camera. I think you need to trash another roll before you start disassembling your camera or gluing things to it.

Yes I do now have a roll in the camera. It has left about 15 frames unexposed. I adhere a black tape on the upper edge of the back, hoping to see the effect.
 
What I was trying to say was: I think you should take NO corrective measures and shoot another roll, to verify that the problem was with your camera and not with the film cartridge or with handling, or if it is a problem with the camera perhaps to get a better idea where the leak is.
 
This is just a thought, Optikhit, but were you using Lucky film?

According to the Retrophotographic website "Lucky films are coated on a clear base... The films should be loaded into the camera in subdued light or shadow as light hitting the film leader can be 'piped' along the film by the transparent base leading to unwanted fogging. It is also possible the the film pressure plate can reflect some light back into the film leading to over-exposure, particularly in the highlights".
 
Jocko: The film is not Lucky but Fujifilm Superia X_TRA 400, but I am not sure it is Fuji quality. My second roll of film will indicate if it is problem of film.
RJ_: The idea is interesting and may be right. I recall that the picture 3 was taken at 1/1000. But everything here is weird for me.
Helios 103 lens is so sharp...Here are some images without (nearly) light leaks.
Thank you all guys for ideas.
 
FrankS said:
Months and months ago I read someone's post on RFF that said something like if the leak is throught the lens/curtain, it looks white, and if the leak comes through the camera body it looks orange. Does anyone else remember that?

I remember that! In fact, it was mentioned on a thread I started about light leaks in my Minolta A5.
 
Hi guys, I have a terrible discovery today regarding my Kiev4AM. After finishing the second roll in camera, I test the shutter curtain as usual what I did when I take pictures. When I slowly wind the film wind-on wheel, I stop several times. I discove that there will occasionally be a slot in the top of the curtain. I am definitely sure this slot was one of the light leaks (Picture 3 and 5). Have you ever had such problem? Do you wind the film in steps? How to repair this problem?
 
The shutter is not capping during winding. That means shutter repair.

Sounds harsh, but I've given up on Russian cameras. I've had 1 Zorki last 1 roll of film, and two Kiev's that did not last much longer. Shutter problems. I like the Russian lenses, and take time with those for use on the Nikons, Contax's, and Canons. I need a lot more free time to devote to learning shutter repair to take the cameras on.
 
optikhit said:
When I change speed lower one to a faster, the slot happens.
I have bid problem then.

Very simple. Lock the shutter at B. Bend the hook tip while holding the top portion above the tip.

pangkievrange
 
I would like to thank you all guys for your suggestions.

RJ-: Thank you very much for your kind words. No, I am not disappointed by those light leaks and shutter flaw. Actually I like my first Kiev very much because of the excellent performance of the Helios 103 lens and the metal feeling. I will probably buy another Kiev 4. Those old machines are interesting things I play.

Oh, have you ever been in Harbin? Yes, usually there are a lot of ice on the road in Harbin so that it sometimes is slippery. Harbin is a city with a lot of European style buildings. We have Ice & Snow Festival every year in Harbin. Friends are welcome here. So just come! I will be the guide for you!

Pangkievrange: Thanks a lot. Would you please explain your instruction in more details? It may helps me a lot!
 
Back
Top Bottom