M5 Light Leak

[davidnewtonguitars]

There are 2 separate curtains, one for "at rest" the other "cocked".
One of them may be leaking, and you may be able to see it in a dark room with a torch if you are in the UK, a flashlight in the US.

 

[bobkatz]

Please check if occurs only when the shutter is cocked, and some time passes before you take the photo.
A very, very smaaall pinhole in curtain needs long time for expose the film.
Apologise for my englsh🙁

Regards.

Hello...
Is this was the answer?😛

 

[hawkhanlumist]

Hello...
Is this was the answer?😛

It was and it wasn't. I mean, yes, ultimately, I think the source is a leak through the curtains. It only shows if there is enough time to pass for the light to appear. So yes, you were right. It took some testing to confirm this as well as determine which curtain was the cause of the leak.

Thanks for your suggestion though. It had been my hunch as well, but having another person voice this opinion was of assistance.

Best,

HKL.

 

[hawkhanlumist]

There are 2 separate curtains, one for "at rest" the other "cocked".
One of them may be leaking, and you may be able to see it in a dark room with a torch if you are in the UK, a flashlight in the US.

Thanks David,

I have tried this, though I couldn't see the leak. I might try again. The hard edge to the light leak is what makes me wonder. I doesn't look like a pinhole Instead, it looks like the curtain is detaching at some point or a film winding mispacing is introducing a leak where there should be one.

HKL

 

[Peter de Waal]

Another common fault is the strip of light seal material that the curtains run against drying out and puckering. My M5 was fixed by Chris Wood in Auckland (who's retired now). Chris trained at Leitz in the 1960's. After trying a number of materials, including the tape Leitz supplied for the M2-6 - which caused wear on a brand-new set of replacement curtains - was to cut some strips of the vinyl used as body covering on the Praktica MTL5. This worked perfectly and was slippery enough not to grab the rubberized curtain surface.

Overall a service from someone competent is indicated. They are great cameras and worth spending money on.

 

[hawkhanlumist]

Another common fault is the strip of light seal material that the curtains run against drying out and puckering. My M5 was fixed by Chris Wood in Auckland (who's retired now). Chris trained at Leitz in the 1960's. After trying a number of materials, including the tape Leitz supplied for the M2-6 - which caused wear on a brand-new set of replacement curtains - was to cut some strips of the vinyl used as body covering on the Praktica MTL5. This worked perfectly and was slippery enough not to grab the rubberized curtain surface.

Overall a service from someone competent is indicated. They are great cameras and worth spending money on.

Hi Peter -

Thanks for your input. The scenario that you are describing sounds entirely likely as being the same issue, my camera has. Did you observe a similar phenomenon?

I believe I recall reading the story of your fix in another thread also.

I think a service is in order soon, as you recommend. It might have to wait a couple of weeks till I can pull the dough together.

HKL.

 

[hawkhanlumist]

There are 2 separate curtains, one for "at rest" the other "cocked".
One of them may be leaking, and you may be able to see it in a dark room with a torch if you are in the UK, a flashlight in the US.

Right. Only two shutter curtains. I knew it was a stupid question.

I think this means that as long as I delay shutter advance/cocking until just prior to shooting, I can get away with no light leaks. I am shooting a second test roll, and will test this hypothesis.

Thanks,

HKL

 

[Peter de Waal]

Hi HKL,
my M5 wouldn't fire above 1/250 when I received it, so it was packed off for service before I used it.

It's moot anyway. Your M5 needs work as the original oils will have dried out by now.

BTW please ensure that whomever you charge with it's service does not use modern "engine oil", even synthetics. I see too many references to "Mobil One" as some kind of panacea. Engine oils contain detergents to engulf wear particles and dirt which are carried to the surface of a filter matrix under pressure. They also contain emulsifiers to bind water - absorbed in the filter's paper matrix (up to a point).

We don't want wear particles, dirt and water to be held for years next to finely finished steel shafts. We want these contaminants to fall out of the bearing. And of course we keep our equipment serviced if we use it heavily!

Something like a single-grade synthetic hydraulic oil of the right weight would be fine, as would synthetic grease(s).

I have the M5 factory manual and you can still get all of the specified lubricants.

Cheers,
Peter

 

[hawkhanlumist]

Hi Peter,

Thanks for the reply. It is much appreciated.

I was advised from the gentlemen from whom I purchased the camera that a CLA was undertaken about 10 years ago. I was advised by the person who performed that very CLA that it requires a CLA every 12 years. It is likely due for another as is evidenced by some issues that are creeping up.

They are indeed great cameras, and worthy of keeping in good condition. I am sort of hoping that after this CLA, I can just get down to the business of shooting with her without any further worry.

Thanks again,

HKL

 

[shorelineae]

Hey, I had a similar problem (but it was different light leak pattern). I sent pics to Don (DAG Cameras) and we couldn't figure it out .. until I mentioned that the leatherette had worn off and needed replacing. Well it turns out that on the left front of the camera (with the front side pointed away from you), there is an opening from where the light can leak in. Simply replacing the leatherette got rid of the light leak.

 

[Huss]

M5 light leak

M5 light leak

Heavy sigh, my M5 has developed a light leak. Was fine last time I used it...
Doesn't appear on all images, about 50% of them. This scan is from the entire image to the film edge so you can see it does not go past the film edge, it is completely in the image area. Nothing on the perforations etc..

 

[CharlesDAMorgan]

That's a bore.

You must have strong words with it in German.

 

[dourbalistar]

Huss, mine does the same thing. Same shape, same spot on the frame. Mine appears much less frequently, but it seems to happen more when shooting in bright sun, at a subject that's reflecting a lot of light. I've just kept shooting it, but I'm curious where the leak originates. I remember another member (j.scooter?) had a similar issue, but I think he got it sorted.

Anyway, here's what mine look like.

 

[MJ Buckpitt]

It looks like a leak via the rangefinder window. Grap a small flashlight, open up the back of the camera and with the shutter open shine the light through the RF window. Look into the back of the camera and see if you can see the flashlight in the film chamber. I'm guessing that if you look on the upper right-hand side you will see something. Change the angle of the flashlight and it's best if you do this in semi-darkness.

 

[Huss]

It looks like a leak via the rangefinder window. Grap a small flashlight, open up the back of the camera and with the shutter open shine the light through the RF window. Look into the back of the camera and see if you can see the flashlight in the film chamber. I'm guessing that if you look on the upper right-hand side you will see something. Change the angle of the flashlight and it's best if you do this in semi-darkness.

Just did that.
And you Sir, are correct!

I see a very faint point of light coming through here (indicated buy the arrow). It is only revealed when the shutter is open.
So.. how to fix

Untitled by desmolicious, on Flickr

 

[hap]

Hmmm I haven't used mine in a while. Looks like I should start in the office with a flashlight test and move on to some picture taking.

I presume there is a baffle or something that shields the film chamber from stray light like that?

Sherry would probably guess but not sure too many of us are going to call and ask.

 

[hap]

Just did that.
And you Sir, are correct!

I see a very feint point of light coming through here (indicated but the arrow). It is only revealed when the shutter is open.
So.. how to fix?

Untitled by desmolicious, on Flickr

Perhaps you can test by placing a tiny bit of black tape over that pin hole and see if it blocks the light. If camera can be operated with the tape and no mechanical issue, then test with film? Is a start.

 

[hap]

After reading the old thread from 2019, a light leak in an M5 is not uncommon. It seems a chore to try and find the source. A job for Sherry , DAG, or Gus. When you sell, just add $500 🙂)

 

[j.scooter]

My light leak wasn't sorted, it happens infrequently and when it does I consider it a feature 🙂

Seriously though, the leak wasn't happening often enough and I didn't want to send it anywhere. I will try the flashlight the the RF window to see if I can track it down.

Huss your pic isn't showing up.

 

[Huss]

My light leak wasn't sorted, it happens infrequently and when it does I consider it a feature 🙂

Seriously though, the leak wasn't happening often enough and I didn't want to send it anywhere. I will try the flashlight the the RF window to see if I can track it down.

Huss your pic isn't showing up.

I reattached the pic.