Mark on negative

[viboons]

My first roll from the newly acquired Leica M3 many shots, not all, got a mark at the same position close to the corner. This happened with 21mm, 35mm, and also 50mm. Is this from a faulty camera or from my mistake in developing?

 

[Ronald M]

Best guess is a light leak in camera.

Possibilities are shutter holes, back door, strap lugs, or top deck not sealed.

 

[viboons]

Best guess is a light leak in camera.

Possibilities are shutter holes, back door, strap lugs, or top deck not sealed.

Thanks Ronald.

I bought it from a shop that did the CLA to this M3 with 3 months warrantee. Will bring it back to the shop next week.

 

[bluesun267]

Being in the same position on each frame I'd suspect a hole in the shutter curtain

 

[Pablito]

Being in the same position on each frame I'd suspect a hole in the shutter curtain

Yes and it would be easy to test for this if you are willing to sacrifice a roll of film.

 

[Pál_K]

Light leak. Since it’s in the lower left of the frame, the light source is actually at the upper right.

My suggestion is to wind the shutter, remove the lens and bottom plate, flip open the rear door, and while aiming the camera at the bright sky or other broad bright light source, look for the leak. If you don’t see it, release the shutter and look again. If you still can’t find it, perhaps the leak is coming from a very small hole where the rangefinding mechanism resides.

 

[Guest]

Get into your darkroom with a small flashlight, if it’s a hole in the curtain you will easily find it.

 

[viboons]

Thank you for all your comments.

I went to the shop I bought this M3 and he guess it was the shutter curtain and it may take few weeks to get the parts and fix it.