My Kiev 4aM

[leica M2 fan]

has been giving me wonderful photos since I got it. However, the last roll I developed just about every frame out of 24 the entire left side of the picture is totally White. What could this be, a shutter problem? Light leaks? Thanks for any input.

 

[Spyderman]

Could you post pictures?

My first guess would be a light leak. Kievs are known to have problems with light leaks.

 

[Xmas]

You need to look at the rebate of the negatives, was the sprocket holes exposed?

Noel

 

[40oz]

Could you post pictures?

My first guess would be a light leak. Old cameras are known to have problems with light leaks.

fix't. 🙂

 

[leica M2 fan]

Spyderman: wish I could post them but I haven't mastered those techniques.
Xmas: Sprocket holes for the areas that showed up in photo appear to be exposed, the ones that correspond to the light areas in the photo are dark in the negative.

 

[Xmas]

Ok is the light from the top sprocket hole, note the negative is upside down in the camera, or from both?

Noel

 

[leica M2 fan]

Noel

Noel

It is both sprockets.

 

[Ash]

leaky film can? Leak on the side of the camera?

Try another roll of film.

 

[Xmas]

Ok you need to remove the toplates and replace the light seals, over the shutter module and the sprocket shaft, it is not impossible to do yourself. Sorry, please see Russ Pinchbecks survival site.

http://www3.telus.net/public/rpnchbck/index.html

Noel

 

[leica M2 fan]

I hope that's all it is.

I hope that's all it is.

I envisioned a shutter problem. This is something I can do or have done. Thanks so much. 🙂

 

[leica M2 fan]

Here are photos.

Here are photos.

Am uploading one only to see if it meets size requirements.

 

[leica M2 fan]

And two more

And two more

See if these can identify the problem.TIA.

 

[Xmas]

leicia
The only real problams in fixing this yourself is you might drop some of the small screws, most are ferrous and magnetic so a large magnet will help, I Dyson the pile and show the Dyson catchment area the magnet.

You need a good set of watchmakers screw drivers, and a soft eraser to go down on the ring around the shutter release, note never done a 4am myself, a pro might use a pin spanner or have a layer or eraser stuck to doweling the pin wrench will mar if you slip.

You need to work over a deep tray like a 16x20 bromide paper dev tray or a coffee table serving tray. Each screw and washer needs to be stuck to a length of gaffer tape, in order of removal for easier reassembly.

MrP recomments black plastic & foam but I now prefer black paper and foam, I just cut into the mouse mat for foam. Black wool may be preferred.

I'd allocate a whole weekend but lots of people work real fast and will only take a few hours.

No force is needed nor should any springs project a part, if you get stuck stop & post a distress call, people have damaged things by panic measurers.

While you have to top plate off you can remove any grease, zippo fliud on end of soft brush, and PTFE liquid lube on end of dentist pick or darning needle. The slow speed escapments are prone to jam on the old grease, they are two little toothed wheels both need lots of wet brush strokes and one small drip of PTFE when clean, on the shafts, or you can let them run 'dry' on wax residue. The PTFE is wide temp and should not stall 40 below, if you get most of the wax out.

A niice wet weekend is needed... good luck
Noel

 

[Spyderman]

From the pictures I would say the leak is on the film-canister side of camera. Or it could be on the take-up side if you use a film canister on the take-up side.

In this picture:

as you can see: half is overexposed and half is as shot. The border between those 2 looks just like the film leader at the beginning of film - one part is exposed, then there is the border (as from the felt stripe) and then unexposed...

Or it can be leak between the back door and the top cover. There should be a "yak string" but you better replace it with some modern material (as Noel said cut it from mouse-pad). Like in this picture (linked from Kiev survival site):

 

[leica M2 fan]

Thanks Spyderman and Noel for your input.

Thanks Spyderman and Noel for your input.

From the pictures I would say the leak is on the film-canister side of camera. Or it could be on the take-up side if you use a film canister on the take-up side.

In this picture:

as you can see: half is overexposed and half is as shot. The border between those 2 looks just like the film leader at the beginning of film - one part is exposed, then there is the border (as from the felt stripe) and then unexposed...

Or it can be leak between the back door and the top cover. There should be a "yak string" but you better replace it with some modern material (as Noel said cut it from mouse-pad). Like in this picture (linked from Kiev survival site):

I'm happy you saw the pictures so you could see more. It took me a long time to upload by the time I figured out how to do it. Thanks again.🙂