Light seals

[Jersey Jeff]

I'm about to replace the light seals on my Fujica V2. I cleaned out
the old rotten foam rubber. I have one of those light seal kits you
see on Ebay. Also have a large ball of black yarn. Any thoughts on
which works best?

[oftheherd]

Black yarn is a new one for me. Never heard of that being used. I would wonder if there wouldn't be a possible problem with fibers getting onto the film and into some of the mechanisms.

Maybe someone else has used that and it worked well?

[pshinkaw]

It's similar to the black felt that is used on many cameras. I think acylic or nylon yarn might be better than cotton since the fibers are stiffer and coarser. Typically, you glue it into place with something flexible like Elmer's Glue.

I think it really depends on the camera itself. The channel's on some cameras are more suitable for a foam seal rather than a felt seal, but I have seen it the other way too.

Usually the ones that have to be replaced are foam sealed ones because the foam crumbles as it ages. I think the Kodak Retinas use felt. That stuff lasts a lot longer and I have never had to replace any.

I'm not familiar with the Fuji, so I can't really say what is appropriate. for it.

-Paul

[wierdcollector]

I've seen the use of black rubber impregnated yarn/wool on the Praktica group in another forum but I'd go the foam route myself.
Curt in Canada.

[bmattock]

Just a random thought, but yarn is often wool. Wool rubbed against plastic (film base) makes small sparks and static electricity. I am purely guessing, but it doesn't sound like a good idea to me.

Ever rub a balloon against a wool scarf and then watch it stick to things through static electricity? Same thing.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

[ZeissFan]

Black yarn was used in a number of German cameras to seal the top deck to the body.

I have a German camera from the early 1970s that uses black yarn. The older Contax I (and maybe the Contax II) also used black yarn.

I can't recall ever seeing foam used in an older German camera (mostly because the cameras pre-dated the invention of foam rubber). I've never had problems with light leaking into the back.

On most of my cameras, the backs have very deep channels or rails. Most of the modern-day camera backs have side rails that aren't too high, so possibly the foam helps to ensure a tight fit.

I've used black yarn in several cameras. Works fine, though you need a way to get it to adhere properly in the channel. And then you have to leave the camera back open until the adhesive is set. Otherwise, you run the risk of gluing the back to the body (you can probably guess how I know that).