Light Leaks on my M3

[adamjohari]

Hi guys,

I'm getting light leaks on some but not all of my photos, and I don't know why. Below are the examples:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/61504425@N03/5597524869/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/61504425@N03/5597524499/

Can someone tell me what's going on? Some of my pictures don't have the leaks and some do. Could it have to do with the shutter speed? How do I fix this?

Thanks

Adam

 

[B.J.Scharp]

Those look more like flare than light leaks to me. What lens are you using and are you using a hood?

Another thing to look for is the negative next to it. I've noticed that if I have a very bright light source near the edge of the image (like the sun), light sometimes leaks through to the frame next to it.

 

[adamjohari]

It's a Jupiter 8 lens. I was going to upgrade it to a summicron but never got the chance. I really hope that it's the lens and not the camera.

Does lens flare look like that?

The camera had a CLA last year from CRR Luton so maybe it's the lens. I dunno. Not too familiar with film cameras.

Thanks

Adam

Thanks

 

[Daan]

That looks like a light leak to me.
Try putting some tape over the door on the back on the camera. My old m2 had a light leak there.

 

[adamjohari]

I use a Zhou case with my M3, so maybe it's not the back door? It has to either be the lens or the shutter or maybe the connection between the lens and the shutter via the adapter?

Adam

 

[sc_rufctr]

I'm going with a light leak but you know I've seen faulty film do that as well. (especially colour)

Is it only this roll?

 

[adamjohari]

Hi Peter, nope it isn't just on this roll. Has been happening to a few rolls now. I can't really pin point when the leaks happen though. I'm wondering if it's on the different shutter speeds, different aperture settings, maybe even cause of the cold weather outside. Don't know really.

I think when I get back home from work I'll close my curtains, use my torchlight and try to figure what's the cause.

Adam

 

[adamjohari]

ok so i did some flash light testing... but to no avail. i have no clue what's going on. the camera looks perfect to me.

Adam

 

[zx9]

Looks like lens flare to me, one bean shot has a bright highlight and flare the other bean shot is at a different angle so the sun is not reflected straight into the camera. I am very cautious about strong against the light shots with some of my lenses Jupiter 8 included.

 

[haempe]

Take a look at the negatives. Is the effect also outside the frames visible?

 

[Particular]

Years ago I had a light leak on my m3 that looked just like that. I had it repaired, and that took care of it. The repair person wouldn't tell me where the problem was though (he turned out to be a hack).
If the leak would be coming through the door it would be colored by the film base, which it is not. It may be coming in through the rangefinder. There supposedly are some light seals there that could be the problem. The leak is coming from the upper left (image is projected upside down), so that is a possibility.

 

[adamjohari]

thanks for the tips guys. i left the negatives in the office 🙁 but i'll check it tomorrow. i think maybe this weekend i'll drop by my local camera store, buy some really cheap film, and shoot away while using his lens in different shutter speeds and apertures.

i'm really hoping that it's the lens and not the camera.

on another note: i love this camera and rangefinders in general. it's such an eye opener to shoot film and it feels great to be carrying a rangefinder instead of a bulky SLR. good times good times. will be better once this issue is resolved.

thanks

adam

 

[adamjohari]

I just had a look at the negatives. There are no leaks between the frames. I'm beginning to suspect that this is more to a lens issue.

I called CRR Luton yesterday. They said that they are backlogged until July 😀 . Haha. The lady from CRR said that she thinks it might be more of a lens issue than a camera issue.

Adam