Light Leak Help!

[antonandreas]

Hi Everyone,

I have tried to locate my light leak every which way using a flashlight in total darkness, yet I still can not find the problem. The leak really tends to show up on daytime outdoor shots. Other times it may be there, though not quite as defined.

I believe light is coming from the hinge (which is on the right side). Could you please look below and give me any suggestions where this errant light (on the mid left edge of the photo) is coming from and how to remedy it?

I have a Certo Six, if that matters any.

The image quality of the camera is so amazing that this blatant flaw really irks me.

Thank you,

Anton

 

[Al Kaplan]

That's a strange one! Usually they're more diffuse, not sharply defined! This would indicate that the leak is very close to the film itself. Is there anyway to cover the inside of the hinge with a strip of black cloth, even if you have to glue it in place? Well, try taping it first, then glue it if it does the trick.

It's probably only showing up when you're taking quite awhile between shots. Keeping the camera in an ever ready case (do you still have it?) might cure the problem also, as would covering the hinge on the outside with black Scotch Photographic Masking Tape or even electrical tape.

 

[antonandreas]

Thank you Al. I started thinking about executing a similar plan, but was wondering if my assumption was correct. I even looked into some stuff called Presto Felt but I am not so sure it would be good in this situation.

I do use the ever-ready case, which may be why the leak is more predominant on the bottom of the image.

 

[Al Kaplan]

The Presto Felt might be too thick to do the requisit bending. Hey, whatever works! Let us know! Since the camera is "hidden" in the case anyway try tape on the outside of the hinge. The light leak itself might be extremely small, but "travelling" along the hinge if there are shiny surfaces there.

 

[FallisPhoto]

Thank you Al. I started thinking about executing a similar plan, but was wondering if my assumption was correct. I even looked into some stuff called Presto Felt but I am not so sure it would be good in this situation.

I do use the ever-ready case, which may be why the leak is more predominant on the bottom of the image.

I don't think I'd use the Presto felt. Where you'd have to use it, it's too thick and it would probably spring the hinge even more -- where you may be already having a problem, if that is indeed where the problem is. If you need to use felt, you need something like Interslice's fabric seal instead, that is only 1mm thick. I'd be looking at where the hinge is secured to the back door and maybe filling in some gaps with J.B. Weld, if I could do it that way instead. I think the problem would be pretty visible if that's it. Another possibility is the red window and pressure plate. The pressure plate may need a new felt gasket under it; the Presto Felt may be good for that. One other thing to look at would be the pressure plate and the edges of the film frame and metal parts near it; if they are shiny bare metal, a little flat black paint could cure your problem. It doesn't look like a bellows leak, unless you were shooting in very directional light, and even then I'd expect it to be more diffused than that.