Moscow 4 misery

[DH73]

A few weeks ago, I bought a 1957 (Mk2) Moscow 4 medium format 6x9 folder from a well-known eBay seller in Ukraine. When it arrived, it looked in fabulous condition, so I loaded it up and went out to shoot a roll with it. My joy was short-lived, when that moment of truth came as I lifted the film out of the developing tank. Almost all of the 8 frames were partly or completely fogged out, like this (which was actually the only usable frame; the others were much worse):



So I contacted the seller, who without hesitation, agreed to replace the faulty camera. Using a torch, as suggested by the seller, I discovered a large-ish hole in the bellows around where the flip-up part of the rf coupler stows.

A little while later, a supposedly freshly serviced 1956 (so Mk1) Moscow 4 arrived from Ukraine. I put another roll of FP4+ in, and shot my 8 frames. It took a little longer, as I was in the throes of a respiratory infection. I noticed that the replacement camera (of the earlier style of M4) and fitted with the hinged back, the 6x9 frame counter blind wouldn't shut fully. To reduce any risks of stray light, I covered the never-to-be-needed 6x6 blind with black tape and made a flap over the 6x9 blind for extra protection. Anyway, I finished the film and developed it in the usual way. When I lifted it out of the tank, I was horrified to see that it was partially fogged to a lesser or greater extent on each frame, see below:



I have contacted the seller again, who assures me he personally checked the camera and that it was tested with a film before it was sent to me. I have sent the camera back to him (he has a UK address as well) and am now asking for a refund.

Can anyone on here suggest a source of the second camera's light leak? I could not see any leak in the bellows, although I did note that the camera has sustained a heavy blow at some point, enough to bend the lower folding mechanism, rendering the rf gear useless.

I have no wish to 'name and shame' the seller, at this stage anyway. I'm just curious to know other folks thoughts on it. It has left me very disappointed, as I really wanted a 6x9 camera to use alongside my Mamiya C220 and Kiev 6C 6x6 cameras, both of which are amazingly good, but the square format is limiting at times.

Thanks, David.

 

[tunalegs]

Were all the images fogged the same way? It's very strange that only one side of the image is fogged and it cuts off so sharply.

Fog from a red window usually comes in from the edges like this (note this is from a 645 camera):
plants by Berang Berang, on Flickr

And depending on how long the window was exposed to light may make it all the way across the width of the film. But I've never seen it stop half way across so sharply. So I think the leak is coming from somewhere else.

 

[Pioneer]

Does anyone sell a bellows for your Moskva. I realize that means you are spending more of your money...and your time, but this is the primary cause of light leak headaches with any folding camera.

To eliminate other possibilities load film then use black tape to surround the door and put a piece of black tape across the little window. Fold a tab on the tape so you can carefully lift it to see the next film number come up. Also, find an o-ring that is the correct size at your hardware store and put it around the film advance knob/key.

If, after that, the roll of photos comes through in good condition then you know what the problem is. If you still have a light leak then you are almost certainly leaking light through your bellows.

 

[Moto-Uno]

With that prevalent a light leak , I'd think that with a very bright light in a dark room would make this rather obvious . I use a 12v quartz light in a box that the camera fits squarely over and have found light leaks on one of my Mockba 5's and a Iskra 1 in this fashion. It's coming from the top of the camera I believe . Happy searching , they could
take a satisfactory picture . Peter

 

[Ko.Fe.]

.... I have sent the camera back to him (he has a UK address as well) and am now asking for a refund.
...
Can anyone on here suggest a source of the second camera's light leak? I could not see any leak in the bellows, although I did note that the camera has sustained a heavy blow at some point, enough to bend the lower folding mechanism, rendering the rf gear useless.

So, first time he sold you camera with light leak which was easy for you to find. Second time he sold you damaged camera. Do you realize if camera was so damaged, leak could come from unusual place?

Do yourself a favor next time. Buy simple German 6x9 folder camera. It doesn't have to be RF.

 

[DH73]

Does anyone sell a bellows for your Moskva. I realize that means you are spending more of your money...and your time, but this is the primary cause of light leak headaches with any folding camera.

To eliminate other possibilities load film then use black tape to surround the door and put a piece of black tape across the little window. Fold a tab on the tape so you can carefully lift it to see the next film number come up. Also, find an o-ring that is the correct size at your hardware store and put it around the film advance knob/key.

If, after that, the roll of photos comes through in good condition then you know what the problem is. If you still have a light leak then you are almost certainly leaking light through your bellows.

As I posted above; I sent the camera back to the seller on Thursday. I think I have reached the stage where I just want a refund now.

When I first got the camera, I did put tape over the unused 6x6 counter shutter, and a tape 'flap' over the 6x9 shutter.

 

[Pioneer]

Good idea. There are folding cameras available that work fine without all the drama.

 

[DH73]

Update:
Having sent the camera back to the seller, he has refunded me completely, all done without drama.