Light leak while changing lenses?

[jbharrill1]

First let me say that this issue is happening on a CL not an M but the CL part of the forum seems to be rather sleepy compared to the M section.

So this is the first time I've had anything like this happen with this camera. It was a very bright and sunny day out. I know somewhere around these frames I took the lens off, inspected the shutter curtain, and then replaced the lens. It is also possible that I may have advanced the film while the lens was off.

I also know that after I replaced the lens I accidentally fired the shutter with it set to bulb exposure but I believe that is the photo on the right (frame 13).

I really believe that I took two photos of my buddy skating and that would mean that the frame that is completely overexposed to the point of being completely black on the negative would have been the other missing skateboarding photo.

I've been doing a lot of research online and read that it's very common for leicas pre m6 ttl to leak light while changing the lens mid roll in direct sunlight (and the lens was definitely off in direct sun.) Also I read that sometimes advancing the film with the lens off can cause light leaks.

My theory is that somehow (very obviously) frame 12 was incredibly overexposed (either accidentally pressing the shutter while the lens was off, possibly exposing the film to light by advancing the film with the lens off, just plain overexposing with the shutter set to bulb with the lens on, or some other reason I have yet to think of) and that when frame 12 was overexposed somehow the light spread over to frame 11 as well because there was so much direct light. The vertical light leak stops abruptly when the film starts to wrap around advance spool stopping that part from becoming exposed to the leak.

I hope that this makes sense and I greatly appreciate the feedback. Does this seem like a logical answer? Basically I want to know if this is sort of a one time user error type of light leak (caused by changing lenses in the direct sunlight, I know that leica warns against doing this)or something that will need to be repaired in the future?

Also, I apologize for posting in the M section about a CL but like I said things just aren't quite a happening over in that neck of the woods, maybe with good reason :/

 

[michaelwj]

A few quick points to consider;

When you advance the shutter, the film advances at the same time. They are not seperate operations. Therefore, the join between the shutters where you would expect the light leak is actually between frames. This can explain the overexposure right at the edge which would also explain the overexposure between the frames; no gap. It's also not something you should do as a matter of course.

The bright line 2/3rds of the way across is something else and looks like the shutter is stuttering as it travels. It's catching which causes the extra exposure. It could be getting caught on something (likely) or it could be due to the tension on the shutter (not as likely).

It could be the result of some sort of internal reflection from when you advanced the shutter but it looks too clean for that. It also looks too clean for the typical "took of the lens while pointing the camera into the sun" light leak. Those look a lot more like blotches coming from the side and decreasing in exposure as the go away from the edges.

A few more questions; Has it happened before? If so at what speeds (all the same speed?)? Or is it something that randomly comes and goes and from you memory it just happened to coincide with the removal of the lens? Again, I don't believe the stripe at 2/3rd across is from the removal of the lens or advancing without a lens, but something else.

*Since this is the M subforum I'm basing my reply on my experience with M cameras, I've never used a CL or CLE.

 

[sleepyhead]

Sorry, I have no direct experience with this.

I think I would try to do a controlled test in bright sunlight conditions (i.e., waste a few frames changing the lens in the sunlight, and/or advancing the film in the sunlight), and then go into a dim location and repeat the same camera manipulations. Develop the film and see what you see.

Good luck, let us know what you learn.

 

[jbharrill1]

Michaelwj, no the striping 2/3rds of the way has never happened before. I've seen quite a few threads in the past about shutter problems causing similar looking images, but I'm really hoping that is not the issue here. Mainly just because I've heard a few people saying that it is really difficult to find someone who is willing to work on CL's. Plus I have a feeling I may end up spending more on a CLA than I paid for the body.

As soon as I finish the roll that is loaded I will load up some cheap color and try to mimic what happened that day. I know that I was shooting at 1/1000 speed for the two skateboard photos and in the few months I've had the camera I think this may have been the first time I actually used that speed. So maybe The possible shutter issue is related to the 1/1000th speed.

 

[michaelwj]

Michaelwj, no the striping 2/3rds of the way has never happened before. I've seen quite a few threads in the past about shutter problems causing similar looking images, but I'm really hoping that is not the issue here. Mainly just because I've heard a few people saying that it is really difficult to find someone who is willing to work on CL's. Plus I have a feeling I may end up spending more on a CLA than I paid for the body.

As soon as I finish the roll that is loaded I will load up some cheap color and try to mimic what happened that day. I know that I was shooting at 1/1000 speed for the two skateboard photos and in the few months I've had the camera I think this may have been the first time I actually used that speed. So maybe The possible shutter issue is related to the 1/1000th speed.

It could be particular to 1/1000th. I agree it would be a pain to fix, but if it's a new-to-you camera that's sat unused, these things can work themselves out with regular exercise. Hopefully no need to do anything about it.

 

[jbharrill1]

It could be particular to 1/1000th. I agree it would be a pain to fix, but if it's a new-to-you camera that's sat unused, these things can work themselves out with regular exercise. Hopefully no need to do anything about it.

THIS is the answer I was looking for!!!! Problem solved thank you!

Haha but really though I appreciate the replies. Obviously I'm not banking on the issues just working themselves out so any other input would be much appreciated.