My Rolleiflex Light Leak

[topaz]

Well, I feel pretty sure I have found it this time. The leak was mentioned here in an earlier post. I tried some of the methods suggested to track this sucker down. Harry had the camera for two months for CLA. He said it would take longer if I sent it back for an estimate on light leak. Did not want to do that. The leather on the wind side was old and dry. Still is. Was reinstalled with one tear and three holes. Glue had not held where winder handle fits in to hole. The very place where my automat roller is.
So, having just removed side panel and cleaned interior of my 3.5E. and having some great input from Dan, I pulled the leather off of the 2.8C. I held a flashlight down to the sideplate at the automat roller, and it's like Christmas in there. There are several bright leaks right there. Right there where my leak occurs. I have not replaced the leather yet on the 3.5E, so held the light to it. Nothing. No leaks.
So it is getting a bit late now, but I think I must pull the sideplate tomorrow to make sure that the light baffle, the brass one was not forgotten. I tend to think it was.
Ahh, cameras are so much fun. Then you get to make photos too!

 

[Dan Daniel]

I run test rolls through Rolleiflexes all the time with no leather on the side panels. It isn't part of the light sealing.

If either baffle- the brass sheet or cast metal insert- is missing, I would contact Fleenor and ask him to send you a replacment.

And if you haven't tried it before, I highly recommend cameraleather's Griptac material. Makes handling a TLR very nice. ~$26 for a full set, I think.