Leica M5 film door seal

[Pieter12]

How many seals should there be on the film door of an M5? It is new to me, as are Leicas in general. I only see one, on the right side of the door and none on the camera body.I am trying to trace some severe fogging at the beginning of the roll of HP5+. Major fogging up to frame 6, fogging at the bottom of the roll throughout, tapering off toward the end of the roll. 2 rolls exhibit this identical issue. Haven't finished the next roll yet. Thanks.

 

[Hatchetman]

One possibility is you didn't close the door totally when you put the bottom back on. I've done that before.

 

[davidnewtonguitars]

Leicas generally do not have foam seals on their doors, but I don't know about M5's at all. That one doesn't "look Leica"

 

[farlymac]

Here's a thought. If the M5 does not require seals, then that bit of foam could actually be causing the leak.

PF

 

[bhop73]

It's only supposed to have the one, where yours is.

found this for comparison:
https://www.photo.net/discuss/threads/another-leica-m5-light-leak-puzzle-sorry.432887/

 

[Pieter12]

That thread seems to indicate there are felt seals along the film guides in the back. I don't see any on my camera.

 

[Spavinaw]

My M5 has only one seal along the right side of the door. It has no seals on the body.

 

[bhop73]

That thread seems to indicate there are felt seals along the film guides in the back. I don't see any on my camera.

It looks like the same textured paint that's on the inside of the baseplate to me.

 

[Pieter12]

This is what one of the posters says (maybe this is not present on the M5):

On the metal baffle nearest the film gate, there are two glued in felt "light trap" bars. One upper & one lower.
(See picture below showing lower bar)
Confirm that these two are secure throughout their full length of contact with the baffle.
With the shutter locked on the bulb setting (using a locking cable release), run a toothpick along this felt to see if it's loose in any way. The glue with age can fail. Sometimes causing the felt bar to fully detach and run right into the shutter mechanism etc.; causing among other things, light leak and a fully jammed camera.
The backs always have some minor play in them. Too tight a tolerance and you wouldn't be able to close the baseplate easily in certain temperature extremes. The felt/foam is provided so the back has a snug feel & a shock absorber for someone letting go of the door. Besides, light can't bend around and bounce without a reflective surface present. (Black crackle finish isn't considered reflective)
00XwFu-315841684.JPG

 

[Pieter12]

Just a delayed update. Processed a roll from the M5 and no apparent problems. The issue must have been Operator Error. Still not sure how, but glad this roll is fine.