Strange error

[konicaman]

Sorry for my ignorance - this might be a familiar problem with FSU cameras - but I have never seen the likes of it before. Is this a shutter problem, does the camera have a light leak, or?? It is happening in about one of ten pics, with both my Zorki 6 and my FED 3. I am aware of the fact, that the shutter has to be wound all the way (really weird that you can actually fire the shutter without doing that...). Any help would be most welcome 🙂

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=8026&ppuser=29503

 

[Roger Hicks]

Looks very like a light leak, either through the camera back or through the lips of the cassette. Given the hard edge in one shot I'd back the former.

Tashi delek,

R.

 

[konicaman]

Thanks, you might have a point there. There are no light seals in the camera, except for one along the lock (in the door opposite the hinge), but there seems to be "rails" in the top and bottom of the door. Maybe I should try putting in some light seals there?

 

[Mark Wood]

It's orange-coloured fogging so, assuming it's colour negative film, the light is coming from behind the film, which points strongly towards the camera back.

 

[hks3sgte]

My Zorki 6 has similar light leaks... well, maybe a lot worse.

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=73742

I have to try light seals as the back doesn't seem to close too well. Someone also recommended leaving the "neverready" case on to help with the leaks.

 

[brachal]

Are those shots from the same camera? You mention that your Fed-3 and Zorki-6 do this. Given the completely different ways the backs of these cameras are designed, it seems odd that they'd produce such similar leak patterns.

 

[David Hughes]

What number was the shot with the light on it? If no's 1, 2 and 3 I'd suspect the cassette or cassette handling: leaving a cassette on a desk top in sunlight can do it.

Also, does the streak of light go evenly or unevenly across the full width of the negative or what? Just looking at prints is only a fraction of the checks needed.

And two different cameras with the problem suggests something outside the camera like the processor as well as the cassettes' handling.

Just my 2d worth. I hope it helps.

Regards, David

 

[fanshaw]

I had a very similar light leak in a my Zorki-6. From the shape of the red fogging, it is almost certainly due to a defective felt light seal on the door,behind the catch.or a similar seal on the body next to the door hinge.

 

[konicaman]

Well, the error is spread out all over the film with no apparent system. The 3 pics are all from the Zorki. Pics from the Fed have a similar color, but are spread over a larger area of the negative (yes it is color negative film). I have just fitted the Zorki with new seals on the door - one in each side as well as top and bottom of the door. I'll shoot a film this weekend and see if it helps. I'll report back on this.

Come to think of it - I have just changed lab as my films came back with a lot of dust; if the light seals do not help, I'll try a 3rd lab.

Thanks for the input so far everybody 🙂

 

[konicaman]

After having fitted the Zorki with light seals and shooting another film, I only got 2 pictures with flares - one looking like the others and one looking like this
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=109937

I just got 2 more films developed at the same lab, from other cameras, just to make sure - no problems there.

Maybe I should work a little more on those seals, or could it be the shutter curtains?

 

[Joao]

As written in a previous post, have a look at the negatives and check if the lightleaks stay whithin the frame or if they go to the sprocket-hole area. If they do, light is most probably leaking from the back of the camera.
Regards
Joao

 

[konicaman]

Just took a look. The one with the flare in the corner does not reach the sprocket hole area whereas the vertical flares do. So back to the light seals. The corner thing might be a loner...
Thanks