Plaubel Makina Light Leak

[Bendj]

Hi all,

I have just taken receipt of a Plaubel Makina 670 which judging by the first roll has a light leak. I am keen to try and establish if the source is from the door seals or bellows. Here are some scans from the roll and a photo of the negatives.

The first shot of the roll is more affected than the rest of the roll. There was an hour gap from the first exposure to the rest of the roll which was shot in quick succession.

I have tried to look for a leak with a high powered torch but I couldn't see anything.

If anyone has an opinion on the source I'd be keen to hear it.

Thanks,
Ben


pm670-trix-oct17 (1 of 10) by Fair Kid, on Flickr

pm670-trix-oct17 (2 of 10) by Fair Kid, on Flickr

pm670-trix-oct17 (4 of 10) by Fair Kid, on Flickr

IMG_1266 by Fair Kid, on Flickr

 

[f16sunshine]

Sure looks like the top of the door. You could test the theory by placing a piece of Gaffers tape acros the door/camera seam and see if you closed it up.
If no leak you have your culprit, if it still leaks.... it's another culprit.

Does the door have any play in it ?

 

[Bendj]

Hi, thanks for the reply.

Yes, the door has a mini wobble which according to Aki Asahi (camera leather and film seals seller) is a sign of a foam seals issue.

I am half way though a roll with the back taped up so I'll finish that tomorrow in daylight and see how that looks.

Other that this issue the camera is good, focus is on at near and far, meter accurate, frame spacing is OK and it looks like it's has not been abused.

Seller has said they will pay for a fix and thinks it is the bellows.

 

[f16sunshine]

It's a super camera. Enjoy!

 

[Bendj]

I stupidly traded my last one for a Pentax 67 which was a great camera but I never took it anywhere as it was so big!

Here's another shot of the negs.

IMG_1267 by Fair Kid, on Flickr

 

[MikeL]

I just replaced the seals on my 670 with the Aki Asahi kit. I didn’t realize how loose my door was until I replaced the seals. Works great again!

 

[Bendj]

Hi there, that sounds encouraging. Were you suffering from light leaks too, did they look like my examples?

Did you DIY it, if so how tricky was it?

Cheers,
Ben

 

[Bendj]

Ok so a small update.

I taped up the door and low and behold the leak has gone. Emailed Miles Whitehead here in the UK and he says he can fix for £30 which I thought was pretty reasonable.

pm67-trix-nov17 (9 of 10) by Fair Kid, on Flickr

pm67-trix-nov17 (8 of 10) by Fair Kid, on Flickr

pm67-trix-nov17 (7 of 10) by Fair Kid, on Flickr

pm67-trix-nov17 (6 of 10) by Fair Kid, on Flickr

 

[MikeL]

Hi there, that sounds encouraging. Were you suffering from light leaks too, did they look like my examples?

Did you DIY it, if so how tricky was it?

My leaks looked like Dan's.

https://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=161447

The only hard part is getting the old seals off. Just takes time and lighter fluid or something. While removing them I saw how my little spring my seals had left. Old.