Just got my QL17...what are these streaks across my photos?

[regularchickens]

http://namakoteam.com/fotos/canonet/

So I received my QL17 GIII today and rushed to shoot a test roll and get it developed. When I got my photos back, I could see these wild streaks going across the length of most of my negs, with a couple frames having what look like pops. What's going on here? Is this a light leak, or did I get static when I rewound the roll?

Plus, several of my frames have dark bars on one side or look like they were misaligned or partially wound and then re-exposed.

Did I get a lemon?

The purple line across the scans is a different issue - I'm convinced that the scanner in use at my local Target is screwed-up somehow.

 

[bigdog]

My Canonet had a bad light leak that required new seals and it also had a quirky film advance that would allow you to advance the film more than one frame if you don't pay attention when cocking the lever.

I have learned to live with the film advance issue because I love the lens and results I get with this little gem...I just have to pay attention...at least it accurately only advances one frame per lever cocking.

It also appears you have a thin scratch across the emulsion as though the pressure plate is scoring a line when you advance the film and a light leak issue?

 

[bmattock]

Yeah, looks like several problems. Definitely a scratch in the emulsion, I'd check the pressure plate, but I suspect it is on the other side towards the front of the camera. Light leaks also - typical for a camera this age. You can test this theory by sealing seams of the camera up with electrical tape once you load a new roll in it.

 

[ItsReallyDarren]

To me those psychedelic circles looks like something went wrong with the development. Try shooting another roll and developing it at a different lab. If those strange effects are still there then it might have to do with the lens.

That constant blue streak is proboably a scratch like the others have said.

I also have a winding quirk with my QL 17, the first few frames get extra spacing between the exposures.

 

[regularchickens]

I think I just figured out the light leak problem. The shutter tends to stick open on this one if I use the 1/4 sec shutter setting. I remember that the last shot I took was 1/4 sec, and I don't remember hearing the shutter close before I rewound it. That must have been it. I'll have to avoid that setting in the future.

The seals seem to have been replaced by a previous owner, as there's felt in the seal areas instead of foam. So that shouldn't be a problem.

The pressure plate looks and feels clean. I think the line is not an emulsion scratch, but a problem with the scanner in Target's lab. I can't see a scratch like that in my negs...but I do see fingerprints left by the lab tech, hah.

I'll have to take care not to advance the film lever more than one full throw. There were a few times when I remember pushing the lever more than once because I couldn't remember if I'd wound already.

 

[bmattock]

I think I just figured out the light leak problem. The shutter tends to stick open on this one if I use the 1/4 sec shutter setting. I remember that the last shot I took was 1/4 sec, and I don't remember hearing the shutter close before I rewound it. That must have been it. I'll have to avoid that setting in the future.

The seals seem to have been replaced by a previous owner, as there's felt in the seal areas instead of foam. So that shouldn't be a problem.

The pressure plate looks and feels clean. I think the line is not an emulsion scratch, but a problem with the scanner in Target's lab. I can't see a scratch like that in my negs...but I do see fingerprints left by the lab tech, hah.

I'll have to take care not to advance the film lever more than one full throw. There were a few times when I remember pushing the lever more than once because I couldn't remember if I'd wound already.

Glad to hear it is not light leaks. As to the scratch - I have had the same problem, it is something in the camera, trust me. It may be gone now. You can't see it in the negs, but it is there. I know that purple line all too well.

As to winding - the lever is supposed to lock when the camera is wound. If it lets you keep winding, there's a problem. I had a Canonet with that problem. Never did get it fixed.

Good luck with it!

 

[bsdunek]

Several of the answers are right - those are not light leaks from the body. I'm not sure they are from a sticking shutter either. There could be a leak through the shutter - a pin hole in the case of a cloth shutter, or a bent leaf in the case of a metal shutter. I'm not familiar with this camera as to what kind of shutter it has.

I have seen similar marks from two causes. 1. Film that was left in a hot car too long, and, 2. Film that has been through x-ray machines. Did your film experience either of these?

That scratch about 1/3 of the way down sure looks like something in the camera is scratching the film. Use a magnifier to examin the negatives - check both sides! I cleaned up a ding on the pressure plate on one of my Nikon F's with automotive rubbing compound. Worked great!

 

[M C H]

My QL17 GIII worked perfectly until I dropped it. After that, I too could advance it without stopping after the four strokes on loading, or after each stroke when advancing. When I took it to Mark Hama, I said "Well, it's an old camera so just do whatever you can for it." He looked at me and said "I can fix it," simultaneously deadpan and understated.

He did fix it, of course, and now it works perfectly. He may be able to fix yours as well.

 

[Fabrice2]

the psychedelic circles can mean that he simply walked with the camea,if the light leak is big enough??
for me it looks like a processing problem,like when the developing tank is not perfectly light sealed>that would explain the circle too(?)
When you buy a canonet or a similar camera, the first thing to do is to change the light seals.
we can get a some problem with a scanner when the film is not in the good side (emulsion up),but it doesn't look like that.
Your problem has been caused by the light,certainly in the camera, check your light seals..

 

[remegius]

Gosh...I'd forgotten that I have an old QL17 stashed in the closet. Anyone have a recommendation as to where I can get it CLA'ed

 

[januaryman]

Mark Hama in Georgia.

 

[remegius]

Mark Hama in Georgia.

Thank you!