My Kiev 4a (meterless) has developed llight leaks

[kievman]

Hii Gang, Long time since I have posted on this forum, But I know if there is any place on the web where I can get a answer to my question, it is here.

I did a search of the forum before I decide to post, but no luck.

I bought this Kiev 4a a few years ago off the bay, orginally the focus was off, so I sent it to Oleg in the Ukraine to have it overhauled, it has worked flawlessly since then. I recently had some rolls processed from a trip to Costa Rica I took last spring. and on one roll there is light leak on about every 4 or 5 frames. which seems unusual. Normally if there is a light leak, it should be on every frame. The iinconsistant nature of the light leak makes it very hard to diagnose. I though may be it is happening when I change shutter speeds or there is a pin hole in the shutter, highly unlikely with a metal shutter. but you never know. I left the camera case for Kiev at home to save wieght on this trip and though maybe it was coming thru the back seal somewhere. but I have searched with a flashlight, but to no avail. I have included a sample of a image with the light leak (upper left corner and alwise in the same spot and same shape) for all to evaulate, After looking at a number of light leaks it seems that some are darker than others.....
Any feedback would be great - Michael

 

[oftheherd]

Have you been to the Kiev Survival Site at http://www3.telus.net/public/rpnchbck/ ? There is a section of light leaks. Apparently there are several places that may cause light leaks. Sure it may require some disassembly, but the directions are good. in my case, it only required putting some "yak yarn" on the body where the back attaches. That got rid of my light leak. And no, it wasn't yak yarn, but a dark yarn that I further darkened with an indelible felt pen.

 

[pakeha]

Could be a long shot but try this. With the back on cup the camera in your hand as you would if carrying without a strap, now squeeze a little and feel for lateral movement on the back. I had very similar problem with one roll some time ago and i remembered that the way i was carrying the camera induced movement in the back. Since then i have used with 1/2 case or carried with care and had no problems and one of these days i will get around to oftheherds simple solution..but , busy,busy too busy.
regards
CW

 

[Mark Wood]

This is caused by a light leak from the baffle behind the rangefinder prism:

http://www3.telus.net/public/rpnchbck/fixing light leaks.html

If (in a dark room) you shine a torch through the small rangefinder window and look into the back of the camera where the sprocket drive shaft enters the top plate casting, you'll see the light coming through (very feintly) into the take-up spool chamber. There's a slot in the shaft and it's only when that is facing the film that you tend to get the fogging, hence the fact that you don't get the problem on every frame.

I had exactly the same problem with my 4a and it took ages to track it down. I solved the problem by replacing the baffle with some black polythene sheet. Fiddly to do but possible without removing the shutter assembly.

 

[Mark Wood]

In fact, here's a picture including the fogging that was solved by replacing this baffle.

 

[wolves3012]

Mark Wood's photo shows quite a similarity, maybe that is indeed the problem. The Kievs are noted for light leaks, I'll second the usefulness of the Kiev Survival site. They're nice cameras when working properly (I'm lucky - both of mine work well and don't leak!).

 

[fanshaw]

Mark Wood's photo shows quite a similarity, maybe that is indeed the problem. The Kievs are noted for light leaks, I'll second the usefulness of the Kiev Survival site. They're nice cameras when working properly (I'm lucky - both of mine work well and don't leak!).

I second the observation that Kievs are noted for light leaks. My 4a came with a light leak when I bought it new. It was fixed under guarantee by the UK importers, T&OE.

 

[kievman]

Hey Gang, THanks for the replies and info. I THink Oftheherd and Mark Wood could both be right. I am going to try both solutions. It looks like the light leak is coming thru the sprocket holes on the top or maybe thru the light seal on top too. I am going to check out the kiev survival guide too.
I have 4 kievs and this is the only one that has light leaks develope all others work fine.
I just bought another 4a from the UK for $60US wish me luck and thanks again for all the help and info -Kievman

 

[kievman]

Bingo!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I did as Mark Wood suggested Shine a flashlight thru the small Rangefinder window and sure enough I could see a small amount of light coming thru!!!!!!!! Now ijust have to decide if I want to attempt taking the top plate off to fix the problem...... All the best Kievman

 

[Mark Wood]

Bingo!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I did as Mark Wood suggested Shine a flashlight thru the small Rangefinder window and sure enough I could see a small amount of light coming thru!!!!!!!! Now ijust have to decide if I want to attempt taking the top plate off to fix the problem...... All the best Kievman

Glad to hear you've tracked the problem down. It's actually a relatively easy thing to fix and you can get at the baffle without removing the shutter assembly. When once the top casting is off, you can prise the rangefinder prism out which gives reasonable access. The old baffle is actually secured between two small plates and you need to remove a couple of screws remove it and put them back in to secure the new one. (You'll see what I mean when once you get inside the camera.) The trick seems to be to make a larger baffle and fold it over slightly at the edges to make sure it seals well. I also used a tiny piece of double-sided tape to fasten the baffle to the back of the prism once it was put back in.

Mark