I think I have a Light Leak! Help

[timothyd]

On my last roll, I keep seeing this line that is slightly lighter than the area around it. How do I verify that I have a light leak? What causes this? How do I fix it/who do I get to fix it? I have a Bessa R2M. Thanks.

[payasam]

Does the line appear lighter on the film or on the prints (assuming you're using negative film)? Does it run longitudinally? Members will be better able to help if you post a picture.

[timothyd]

It appears on the film, and prints. It runs vertically.

[pesphoto]

hey there, I like your blog! Hope you post more images.

[pesphoto]

Has this happened on more than 1 roll of film? does it run the whole length of the film?
Always in the same place?

[shadowfox]

On my last roll, I keep seeing this line that is slightly lighter than the area around it. How do I verify that I have a light leak? What causes this? How do I fix it/who do I get to fix it? I have a Bessa R2M. Thanks.

Timothy, first you need to know where the leak comes from.

Run a cheap color film, then get a minilab to develop/print it quickly. Then see if the light leak is orange, it's coming from the back of the camera, if it's white, the shutter is leaking light.

if it's vertical, most likely it's from the back, but try what I suggested above to be sure.

If it's orange (from the back), your light seal is the prime suspect.

[timothyd]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3064/2658209137_0c3e904221.jpg

heres a scan of a photo. It was the last of the roll, just a mistake, or I just didn't take the picture, and wound the film to take it out. The light leak isnt very obvious in the last roll, but doesn't this picture show it clearly? In photos that I actually took, the area of the line is slightly lighter than the surroundings. I have only noticed this on my last roll.

[timothyd]

Pesphoto, thanks for your feedback.

[timothyd]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3192/2658258697_61f5affaa5_o.jpg

Here's a photo from my last roll that I think might show the light leak. But it doesnt seem to come up in other photos. Such as this:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3175/2656600817_dcc369aec8_o.jpg

[FallisPhoto]

It appears on the film, and prints. It runs vertically.

If it is light on the film and dark on the prints, you have an obstruction in the light path between lens and film (look for a dangling thread or a hair). If it is dark on the film and light on the prints, you have a light leak. Where the leak is will depend on there the line appears. in the prints you posted, it looks like a leak in the bottom edge of the film door, just about in the middle, but slightly to the right. I'd say you need new light seals. This guy will sell you a set for $8 that is better than anything else on the market and that won't ever go bad again. I've replaced the seals in every camera I own (that uses light seals) with them.

[timothyd]

Where do the light seals go? What guy? Thanks.

[pesphoto]

Jon goodman sells em here on ebay (http://cgi.ebay.com/The-Finest-Complete-Camera-Light-Seal-Foam-Kit-PROOF_W0QQitemZ120281921391QQihZ002QQcategoryZ3003 8QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem). Send him an email about your camera model.

Jon_Goodman@yahoo.com

[timothyd]

I dont have time to buy items off ebay. I leave for Paris on Tuesday! I am going to go to B&H to see if they have any.

[FallisPhoto]

I dont have time to buy items off ebay. I leave for Paris on Tuesday! I am going to go to B&H to see if they have any.

The guy is Jon Goodman, who goes by the name of "interslice" on ebay. Pretty much all of the camera restorers and repairmen who are worth a damn swear by his light seal kits.

B&h probably sells OEM foam (original equipment manufacturer). It isn't as good (it's the same stuff you are having to replace), but it works. When you get back from Paris, I'd replace them again, with Jon Goodman's seals (Jon's are a whole lot better). As for where the seals go, The ones that seem to be causing the problem will be in the narrow little slots around the film loading door (about 1.5mm wide), and there may be a thin strip of foam at each end (near the hinge and near the latch). In the slot at the top of the film door you will probably see a small metal spur sticking out of the slot. When you install the strips of foam in that slot, you want the foam to press up against that spur on both sides, but don't cover it; it's what resets your film frame counter and it has to be able to move in and out.