M2 has light leak - DAG confused

styvone

styvone

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Hi everyone!

My M2 (early model with lever rewind, no self-timer) is experiencing some sort of light leak. There's a band on the left side and a triangular shape on the bottom right side of each photo. This only appears on some photos (about half of the roll has this, spread through out pretty randomly). The film I used in these sample photos is Cinestill 800T. I have other sample images from a roll of Portra 800 I ran afterwards with the same exact leak (using a different lens that I've shot with before with no issues. So it isn't the film choice or the lens causing this leak).

The camera is with DAG right now. Don opened up the camera and can't find anything out of place. He also ran a test roll and cannot replicate the light leaks. At this point, I'm kind of in the dark, so I'm asking if anyone has any ideas or suggestions. (I read some threads online about a poorly installed RF light shield, but Don said that the early rangefinder window light shield is installed correctly on my camera).

Thanks in advance!
 

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Are the leaks only on this roll of Cinestill? I’ve had rolls of their film with marks on it, although nothing like this.

Marty
 
I would send Don your lens to check it with the camera together. It could be a defect in the lens.
 
If you took a photo, did not advance the frame, the attached lens had no cap on it for a long time, the photo can have light leak like that.
 
One thing for certain about the leak is it is coming from the front, not the back of the camera, otherwise you'd see a bunch of red patches. It also has to be in the image chamber as it does not move across the frame like when the film gets rolled up on the take-up spool. Interesting that there is a shadow on the left side where the leak doesn't strike the film. And those triangular strikes on the right suggest the light was coming from above (image in camera would be upside down and reversed). Seeing as they are repeating would make one think the stray light is coming from the lens as an internal reflection. Would be interesting to know what two lenses you used, and if you have a third lens if it would also replicate the light strikes. Maybe you could take the camera into a darkened room and shine a bright light into the lens to see if you detect any leaks coming through or around the curtains.

PF
 
Don says he can’t replicate the leak. did he do a test roll? did he also cla the camera? perhaps whatever he did solved the issue if he can no longer replicate the leak.
 
Thank you everyone for the replies. I used a Minolta M-Rokkor 28/2.8 and a Voightlander Ultron 35/2 ASPH (Type 2, black) on the M2. The sample images you're seeing are from the Minolta lens, but the same leak persists when using the VC Ultron lens and Portra 800.

Don ran a test roll and couldn't replicate the leak. He did not CLA the camera beforehand. It is currently with him right now, and I'm not sure what to do. I keep sending him links to information on threads, but none have proven helpful.
 
Don has fixed light leaks on two M2’s for me. I recall on one of them he used modified M6 parts. I believe if anyone knows how to remedy light leaks on M2, Don is very capable. I would try another roll of different film and another lens when you get it back.
 
Interesting article here dedicated to M light leaks.

Is the bottom plate bent by any chance?
 
Stupid question (and sorry if I’m asking the obvious) but had you taken the camera into a darkroom and shone a small flashlight all the way round the body? Take the lens off and shine the light around the rear of the camera. Then open the back door (baseplate still on) and shine a light from the front - any light coming through? A small flashlight in a darkroom (or dark room) can often help find light leaks.

I’m wondering about that baseplate as well - with the lens removed and the shutter open, you could shine the flashlight along the edges of the baseplate and see if there's any light coming through.
 
Does the same thing happen if you take photos with the lens cap on? I'm thinking there might be a leak between cassette and shutter.
 
Looks like the light shield to me. If this is the case, the light leak will only happen if changing lenses in bright light. The only other thing I would imagine it could be is a loose strap lug - but it'd have to be pretty severe.
 
Strap lug hole? Something must be blocking the light in that vertical strip. Can’t be lens or film as you already said.
 
The camera is with DAG right now, so I can't complete all of these suggestions just yet.

The base plate is in fine condition. During both rolls on my end (with the leaks), I kept the same lens on at all times. Strap lugs on the camera are new and installed by DAG.
 
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