How many kinds of light leaks in my first roll of Kiev 4AM?

[optikhit]

My first roll of Kiev 4AM has been developed. There are a lot of terrible light leaks in it. I have check in the forum about the lght leaks, however I still want to post this. I want to have your ideas about what kinds of light leaks have happened in my case, AND more importantly what can I do. Here I give 5 images enclosed.

[sockeyed]

I think that you've set a new record for light leaks. Too bad, because it looks like you've got some nice images there.

Don't worry, there are experts on this forum who will provide lots of tips.

You can start here:
http://www3.telus.net/public/rpnchbck/fixing%20light%20leaks.html

[peterc]

Well, it looks like there's one at the top of the back, one at the side. Picture 4 looks like a double exposure.

Peter

[varjag]

Right, do everything as written at Kiev Survival site, then check again. That should take care of the most common leaks.

[captainslack]

Wow! :eek:

Best of luck, my friend. Let us know how it turns out.

BTW, you've got a really cute daughter. :D

[optikhit]

I wonder to know IS there nay malfunctions in the shutter curtain?
If I do it myself, should I open the upper cover?

[FrankS]

Months and months ago I read someone's post on RFF that said something like if the leak is throught the lens/curtain, it looks white, and if the leak comes through the camera body it looks orange. Does anyone else remember that?

[ed1k]

if the leak is throught the lens/curtain, it looks white, and if the leak comes through the camera body it looks orange. Does anyone else remember that?

No, I don't remeber that. I can't think why it would change colour. Kiev 4 has a metal "solid rock" curtain.

[allthumbs]

Months and months ago I read someone's post on RFF that said something like if the leak is throught the lens/curtain, it looks white, and if the leak comes through the camera body it looks orange. Does anyone else remember that?

Never heard that, but I guess it makes sense if the light is going through an orange mask.

optikhit, I realize it's a completely different shutter system, but the curtain leaks i had in my zorki were consistent in placement. even though they varied by degree and did not always appear, they were always in the same place.

I feel I ought to raise the possibility that the light contamination might have happened outside of the camera. I think you need to trash another roll before you start disassembling your camera or gluing things to it.

[optikhit]

Never heard that, but I guess it makes sense if the light is going through an orange mask.

optikhit, I realize it's a completely different shutter system, but the curtain leaks i had in my zorki were consistent in placement. even though they varied by degree and did not always appear, they were always in the same place.

I feel I ought to raise the possibility that the light contamination might have happened outside of the camera. I think you need to trash another roll before you start disassembling your camera or gluing things to it.

Yes I do now have a roll in the camera. It has left about 15 frames unexposed. I adhere a black tape on the upper edge of the back, hoping to see the effect.

[allthumbs]

What I was trying to say was: I think you should take NO corrective measures and shoot another roll, to verify that the problem was with your camera and not with the film cartridge or with handling, or if it is a problem with the camera perhaps to get a better idea where the leak is.

[Jocko]

This is just a thought, Optikhit, but were you using Lucky film?

According to the Retrophotographic website "Lucky films are coated on a clear base... The films should be loaded into the camera in subdued light or shadow as light hitting the film leader can be 'piped' along the film by the transparent base leading to unwanted fogging. It is also possible the the film pressure plate can reflect some light back into the film leading to over-exposure, particularly in the highlights".

[Skinny McGee]

It looks like some one left the screen door open

[optikhit]

Jocko: The film is not Lucky but Fujifilm Superia X_TRA 400, but I am not sure it is Fuji quality. My second roll of film will indicate if it is problem of film.
RJ_: The idea is interesting and may be right. I recall that the picture 3 was taken at 1/1000. But everything here is weird for me.
Helios 103 lens is so sharp...Here are some images without (nearly) light leaks.
Thank you all guys for ideas.

[captainslack]

Months and months ago I read someone's post on RFF that said something like if the leak is throught the lens/curtain, it looks white, and if the leak comes through the camera body it looks orange. Does anyone else remember that?

I remember that! In fact, it was mentioned on a thread I started about light leaks in my Minolta A5.

[optikhit]

Hi guys, I have a terrible discovery today regarding my Kiev4AM. After finishing the second roll in camera, I test the shutter curtain as usual what I did when I take pictures. When I slowly wind the film wind-on wheel, I stop several times. I discove that there will occasionally be a slot in the top of the curtain. I am definitely sure this slot was one of the light leaks (Picture 3 and 5). Have you ever had such problem? Do you wind the film in steps? How to repair this problem?

[optikhit]

When I change speed lower one to a faster, the slot happens.
I have bid problem then.

[Brian Sweeney]

The shutter is not capping during winding. That means shutter repair.

Sounds harsh, but I've given up on Russian cameras. I've had 1 Zorki last 1 roll of film, and two Kiev's that did not last much longer. Shutter problems. I like the Russian lenses, and take time with those for use on the Nikons, Contax's, and Canons. I need a lot more free time to devote to learning shutter repair to take the cameras on.

[pangkievrange]

When I change speed lower one to a faster, the slot happens.
I have bid problem then.

Very simple. Lock the shutter at B. Bend the hook tip while holding the top portion above the tip.

pangkievrange

[optikhit]

I would like to thank you all guys for your suggestions.

RJ-: Thank you very much for your kind words. No, I am not disappointed by those light leaks and shutter flaw. Actually I like my first Kiev very much because of the excellent performance of the Helios 103 lens and the metal feeling. I will probably buy another Kiev 4. Those old machines are interesting things I play.

Oh, have you ever been in Harbin? Yes, usually there are a lot of ice on the road in Harbin so that it sometimes is slippery. Harbin is a city with a lot of European style buildings. We have Ice & Snow Festival every year in Harbin. Friends are welcome here. So just come! I will be the guide for you!

Pangkievrange: Thanks a lot. Would you please explain your instruction in more details? It may helps me a lot!

[jan normandale]

Looking at the prices of a Kiev here among RFF members you might want to watch for one coming up or post a WTB notice. I just got one and I'm waiting to use it. Check around and good luck because your shots are always interesting I hope you solve this and show some new photographs.

[pangkievrange]

Well, you see the second curtain gets hooked after the shutter is wounded. The hooking tip barely catches the curtain. When you change speed, the curtain's slight movement causes the curtain to separate from the hooking tip. You need to bend the hooking tip inward slightly so that the hooking tip still catches the curtain during the speed change. In order to do that, you set the shutter at B and leave the curtain open. You need to hold the portion above the tip when you bend the tip.

I would like to thank you all guys for your suggestions.


RJ-: Thank you very much for your kind words. No, I am not disappointed by those light leaks and shutter flaw. Actually I like my first Kiev very much because of the excellent performance of the Helios 103 lens and the metal feeling. I will probably buy another Kiev 4. Those old machines are interesting things I play.

Oh, have you ever been in Harbin? Yes, usually there are a lot of ice on the road in Harbin so that it sometimes is slippery. Harbin is a city with a lot of European style buildings. We have Ice & Snow Festival every year in Harbin. Friends are welcome here. So just come! I will be the guide for you!

Pangkievrange: Thanks a lot. Would you please explain your instruction in more details? It may helps me a lot!

[optikhit]

Thank you very much, Pangkievrange. The curtain seems OK now, I check it many times today and no slot appears again. It is strange because I did nothing to the curtain except I touched the curtain from the front. But I am not sure how long it keeps in such state.

I will trash another roll. Thanks....