Light leak on Contax iiia

[nomadia]

hello all, test rolls show that there's a light leak on my contax iiia, but only occurs 50-60% of the frames per roll. anyone knows the source of the light leak? suggested fix (aside from going to professional camera repairer)? degree of difficulty for fixing this? thanks all.

 

[Bill Jones]

Light leak

Light leak

It looks like your shutter is hanging up at the bottom of the exposure (top of the picture because they are reversed when taken.) The light strike is not exactly parallel to the bottom, suggesting that at least sometimes when the shutter fires it hangs up on one side (load side.) Try looking at the back of the shutter without film in the camera and shot it multiple times at each shutter speed. If the shutter is not coming down evenly or it hesitates at the bottom (probably cannot see this as light strike is not too over exposed) it may have dirt in the track.

As a,first fix try setting the shutter to time and fire it. While the shutter is open blow out and gently clean the shutter track. There may be film chips or other small debris there. If this fails, you will probably need CLA/shutter job.

Bill

 

[nomadia]

Thanks, Bill! I'll try your suggested first fix and update you with results.

 

[Kevcaster]

I think Bill's diagnosis is probably right and the shutter is hanging up. I'm interested in what the outcome of this has been. I had the same issue after servicing a lla, the same effect appeared only on the 1/50th setting. I lubricated the top of the first curtain shaft and the problem has abated for now.

If this camera has had a recent service then it should probably go back for this to be looked at and, if not, then time to invest.