Possible Light Leak ??

arbib

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I just bought a Zarya (Zarja), and after a few rolls, I have noticed a central area..(center top of the negative) about every 15 or so exposures. I am thinking it may be where the two curtains connect.

What happens with visual inspection (while winding) is that as the curtains get to the center area, the curtains edges overlap a bit more. That is..Before it get the center, I can see each curtains medal edge, as it moves though the 2nd half of the winding cycle, the medal edged start to overlap.

But, That during winding...The Leak, I believe is during exposure..
here are the two examples, one from loading the film and shooting off blanks (apparently, I had a enough light to make an exposure with the blanks), frame 6. The other is frame 17.

Any advise is helpful
Thanks
 

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looks like a pinhole on the shutter cloth... try to check it with a very strong light, both on the first and the second curtain, with lens removed and back open
 
Bingo !!!!

Bingo !!!!

looks like a pinhole on the shutter cloth... try to check it with a very strong light, both on the first and the second curtain, with lens removed and back open

It is on the second curtain, or the curtain at the film gate after winding...

Now, is there a DIY fix?? Or do I need a new shutter curtain...??
 
Black fabric paint on the cloth side of the shutter worked well for the small group of isolated pinholes on my Fed 3. Take a look at the rubberized side of the curtain; is it relatively intact and pliant away from the holes or is it dried out, cracked and flaky-looking? The latter is bad news as more holes are likely to be generated.
 
Black fabric paint on the cloth side of the shutter worked well for the small group of isolated pinholes on my Fed 3. Take a look at the rubberized side of the curtain; is it relatively intact and pliant away from the holes or is it dried out, cracked and flaky-looking? The latter is bad news as more holes are likely to be generated.

Here is Photo of the area. It looks like something scratched against it..There are 3 or so tiny holes in that line scratch area, It looks fairly pliable to me. the large dent has no light leak. (I checked in a dark room with a small flashlight on, and at a close distance from the opposite side of the shutter) .

This the Rubberized Side. Inside the Mount Camber.
 

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new curtains go for about 5€ on the bay, but I never tried changing, it is probably a demanding job, try with paint first.
Paint that dark mark under the scratch too, looks like a sun burnt.
 
You have nothing to lose by trying to block the holes in the curtains. I use something called gutta used in silk painting. It is a thick black paste, sold in a squeezy tube, which dries to form a flexible layer. I smear a small amount on the affected part with a finger. Black fabric paint has also been recommended.
 
Thanks for the suggestions...I will try the Fabric Paint...
There is a workaround...Keep the shutter "un-cocked" until ready to shoot. Shoot quickly and don't cock the shutter. The pin holes are small enough not effect an exposure if I take a few quick seconds to take the photo right after I wind the shutter. And leave the shutter un-cocked. (the first curtain is light tight).

Here is two of many good exposures..
The 30mm Pentacon is faily distortion free..a little, but not bad at all
 

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Just looked a store that carries Fabric Paint...Which Kind??
FOR:

*Screen Painting? Do you want a smooth, creamy non-toxic Screen Printing Ink that hardly leaves any feel on the fabric? If yes, then this Speedball Ink is for you!.
*Silk Printing? Versatile, thin flowable paint for silk painting and many other uses on most fabrics

Or does not matter that much, as long as it is black?
 
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