IIIC light leak?

[Fadedsun]

Just got a roll of film back. Most of the photos came out perfectly fine, but there were a couple with strips of light on them. Most notably this one.

My camera came back fairly recently from a CLA. I sent the tech a couple of the photos from this roll asking for his opinion. He told me it's common for LTMs to get a light leak from the shell to the top plate, and around the slow speed dial. He recommended I seal this area off with black silicon sealer as it solves the problem in most cases, but I wanted to get a second opinion. I don't think this anything to do with the shutter mechanism as I just had the camera CLA'd.

 

[Erik van Straten]

The area around the slow speed dial has to be sealed very well, for light leaks are very common here. I recommend to install also a piece of light tight plastic foil, the type in wich photographic paper is packed, around the top of the take up spool chamber.

On this picture it is however clear that the light leak is in the bottom area of the camera as the spot is in the top part of the picture, maybe around a screw or the button on wich the bottomplate is hooked.

Here are the instructions from Leitz how to seal the camera.

Erik.

 

[Dralowid]

Well, I'd just send it right back to whoever carried out the service unless 1) the base wasn't on properly or maybe 2) you removed the lens in very bright direct sunlight.

 

[colyn]

This light leak does not come from the camera top as he claims. It is from near the bottom. My guess is inside the camera the bottom light baffle is incorrectly replaced. It looks like it is allowing light to come from between the baffle. There is a strip of felt under this baffle that could also be worn..

 

[Ronald M]

Needs new light shields around the shutter. Had many a Leica the same

 

[02Pilot]

I've seen similar effects on occasion from cameras that are light-tight. Reflection in the lens barrel or between the lens and the film plane, usually with the light source at a moderate to low angle directly above the lens axis.

 

[Fadedsun]

I've seen similar effects on occasion from cameras that are light-tight. Reflection in the lens barrel or between the lens and the film plane, usually with the light source at a moderate to low angle directly above the lens axis.

That's a possibility I also considered. This particular shot, the sun was very bright...

In any case, thanks for the replies and suggestions everyone. I'm going to finish the roll I currently have in the camera and see if this occurs again.

One thing I noticed one day when I got home is that a screw was loose by the rangefinder window. Not sure if that could have caused anything, but I obviously tightened it up since then.

 

[mcfingon]

Thanks for this information! I have seen a similar light leak in my IIIc. I think it may be that the baseplate is not tight on the camera body. You can get a little movement on the camera back if you push it low down near where the baseplate joins. Looking at my IIIf, I notice that the bottom of the camera body is black where the base plate goes on instead of silver metal on the IIIc, and that the guide channels in the baseplate have been bent so there is no movement in the body to baseplate fit.

 

[Fadedsun]

It took me a while to see you were replying to a comment of mine with all that colorful text. To be fair, I contacted Youxin again and he said he would take a look at my camera to see what the problem was. When I asked him what he would charge he told me "no charge", but that he remembered my camera wasn't in the best condition and that he would do his best.

Anyway - I have a roll to finish in the camera which I will then develop and evaluate for the same problem. If it pops up, I'll send it out again after that. Maybe it was a loose baseplate after all - who knows.

 

[Fadedsun]

Hey everyone,

So I put another roll of film through the IIIc, and it appears the problem is still occurring. I contacted the tech that CLAd my camera, showed him these examples and asked for his opinion. His explanation was that due to the period of time the IIIC and early M cameras were made, it's normal for light leaks to occur even if the camera functions properly after a repair. He told me I shouldn't expect the camera to work perfectly due to its age. Basically, it seemed like he was telling me to accept that I'll have these light leaks in my camera occasionally and that there was nothing I could do about it. Not sure if this is true. I'm a little skeptical. I understand the age of the camera, but I believe there are plenty of people on this message board that own the same camera and this problem wouldn't occur 100% of the time through its use.

I saw the post above by Erik showing how to seal off the camera, but I feel like this is above my skill level. I wouldn't attempt it, at least not without a proper video tutorial or a step-by-step with photos. I don't want to damage my camera. If someone knows of one, that would be greatly appreciated.

Just wanted a second round of opinions based on these photos about what's causing this. Out of 36 photos, only the light bands showed on these.

Now, it seems like the leak is occurring in the bottom of the camera, but there's one photo where it appears maybe a leak occurred at the top? The light band is on the opposite side as the rest of them.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Now, it seems like the leak is occurring in the bottom of the camera, but there's one photo where it appears maybe a leak occurred at the top?

Could be you've hold your camera the other side up for this shot. Check your negatives.

Another possibillity is that the shutter leaks when it is tensioned because there is a slit between the two curtains. Not very probable, but you can test this by closing the lens with the lens cap when tensioning the shutter after every shot.

Erik.

 

[02Pilot]

As I mentioned above, I've seen this before, and not just in Leicas. I'm convinced it's an internal reflection. Take a look at the interior of the camera behind the lens, both from the front and the back (with the shutter locked open) - inspect carefully for shiny surfaces, especially right around the film gate. If the camera is old and well-worn, the matte surfaces may have lost some paint or been rendered shiny by oil contamination or rubbing.

 

[Mr_Flibble]

I have also seen this before, mainly on M3 cameras though.
Light gets over/under the curtains when advancing the film.
The angle of the light causes the leak to start a few millimeters from the top/bottom edge of the frame and fade toward the center line. The leak usually runs from one frame to the next.

In the M3 it's the velveteen strips behind the light baffles that have worn down. In the IIIc I'm guessing it's the positions of the light baffles.

You could try shooting another roll and cap the lens every time you advance the film to verify that this is the problem.

 

[Dralowid]

...but surely problem should be sorted by the technician the OP used? I'm far from convinced by their comments regarding old cameras etc...what is a so called 'CLA' for?

 

[Fadedsun]

The overwhelming consensus is that it seems to be the light baffles or light shield needing to be re positioned. When I mentioned this to Youxin, he said if that were true, then the shutter wouldn't be working at all. I'm not a technician, so I can't say this is true one way or another.

In any case, since I live very close to Youxin, I asked him if I could sit in while he takes a look at my camera again. He said that was the best idea. I'm excited to be given the opportunity to see the repair process happen, and what he'll uncover when the camera comes apart again, if anything.

 

[ray*j*gun]

Don't let anyone tell you that Barnacks can not be light tight. I have been using them for many decades and none of them have ever bled light. When they are sorted out they are as good as any camera made.

 

[02Pilot]

If you haven't already, be sure to show him the images you posted here so he can see exactly what the light leak is producing on film. It may help to diagnose the problem.