Leica M2 light areas on edges of pictures

[Mjd-djm]

I picked up a new M2 a few weeks ago and I seem to be having a little problem with it. On some images, not all, I am seeing lights patches at the top and bottom of the image (or the sides if taken in Portrait). It only seems to be noticeable in shots taken outside in daylight but even then not all photos.

Can anyone tell me if this is linked to shutter seal problems, i.e. light getting in to edge of negatives between shots (lens cap was off the camera the whole time)?

Or is it more likely a processing error? In the past I noticed that too much circular rotation in agitation can lead to movement of the developer at the edges of the negatives resulting in lighter areas.

I've attached a couple of pictures for you to take a look at.





Any ideas?

 

[johannielscom]

Bottom of the image = top of the camera.
Something might cause the shutter to slightly drag at the top side, exposing the film there more than on the rest of the frame. Might be a piece of film lodged in the path of the curtain. Might be that the shutter top ribbon is coming undone from the shutter drum.

Select 1/15th and dry-fire the shutter with the back door up. Check for the second shutter curtain post being vertical. Has to look |, not \ when moving across the film gate.

If not that, it might be a light leak coming from the lens mount side or the top side of the back door. Light leaks are easier to spot with color film, the emulsion acts differently if the emulsion side it lit up (front) vs. the acrylic side is lit up (back). IDK specifics but others here can surely explain.

Good luck! If the camera was bought online, consider claiming part of a CLA to remedy the problem.

 

[Dwig]

...
Can anyone tell me if this is linked to shutter seal problems, i.e. light getting in to edge of negatives between shots (lens cap was off the camera the whole time)?

Or is it more likely a processing error? In the past I noticed that too much circular rotation in agitation can lead to movement of the developer at the edges of the negatives resulting in lighter areas.
...

Need More Info:

If it is a light leak, it will quite possibly affect the "clear" film along the sprockets and between frames. The question not answered by the posted samples is whether there is any density change between the frames that matches that seen in the image.

Personally, I think it looks very very much like a processing flaw typical of improper agitation (generally excessive spinning of the reel).

 

[Mjd-djm]

Need More Info:

If it is a light leak, it will quite possibly affect the "clear" film along the sprockets and between frames. The question not answered by the posted samples is whether there is any density change between the frames that matches that seen in the image.

Personally, I think it looks very very much like a processing flaw typical of improper agitation (generally excessive spinning of the reel).

I just checked the negatives and it looks perfectly clear around the edge of the frame, sprocket holes and between pictures. I guess that suggest a processing error? I just assumed it would be visible on all images and not just a few.

 

[Shac]

I agree with Dwig - I've had similar results and figured out it was over-vigorous agitation. At least try more gentle next time
Good luck

 

[grouchos_tash]

I had this when I first used Rodinal (with Fomapan 400) from over agitation