Darkslides leaking at hinged end, suggestions wanted.

[wiseowl]

I have a few old darkslides which are leaky at the film loading end, the tape is intact but shows signs of wear, where it folds. Any suggestionas as to whether or not these are repairable? Is it the tape that's likely to be at fault or do darkslides wear?

Does the tape need to be light proof? (edited to add)

If it is the tape, any idea of a location for getting something suitable in the UK. (I've seen this post :-
(there was a url link here which no longer exists).)

Thanks

Martin

 

[Monophoto]

Martin -

The function of the tape is to make the hinge - it does not have to be light tight.

Tape is easily replaced. A good quality book repair tape might be the best choice, but it's a specialty item that you would have to order. Calumet used to sell a tape specifically for this purpose. I've used colored plastic (electrician's) tape, duct tape, and even black masking tape.

The width of the tape is important. The most common tape width is 1/2" - that's enough to do one side of a holder. Start with the wodden hinge in its normal, closed position - apply the tape to the hinge, and then roll it over to the end of the holder. Use an xacto knife to trim the ends. Then flip the holder over and repeat the process on the other side.

In my experience, if the wodden flap is not damaged, replacing the tape tightens up the light trap enough to address leaks at the hinge end. Holders that continue to leak after being retaped generally are damaged in some way, and you would need to examine them more closely to determine what other problems they may have.

If you find that the wooden hinge is damaged, the problem is to find something to substitute. I've not tried this myself, but it seems to me that tongue depressors or popsicle sticks ( available at craft stores or those ubiquitous "dollar stores") might be potential starting points.

 

[Dave Parker]

I have always used gaffers tape to repair mine, you should be able to get at any good photo store, it is a cloth tape that seems to work good for me, if you want to check your tape on the holders take the dark slide out, then open the hinge, and look at where the tape folds and hold up to a bright light, often times you will see light leaking through the tape right where it folds.

Dave

 

[glennfromwy]

Some (most) hinges are self trapping. They don't really rely on the tape to keep light out. BUT, there are a lot of the older wooden ones that depend entirely on the hinge tape to make them light tight.
I have a supply of black camera covering material that I have been cutting up for hinge tape. It works really well and is a very close match to the original stuff. Just about out of it. Gaffer's tape seems to be the most poular material. Someone carries hinge tape. I just can't rmember who it is.

 

[wiseowl]

Some (most) hinges are self trapping.

I believe this is the type I have, albeit that there are a few different designs. In total I have 6 that leak light to varying degrees. Manufactured by Graphic, Fidelity and Riteway. They are of the metal/plastic type and are not wooden, on the plus side I didn't pay very much for them but I would still like to make them functional rather than throw them out. Apart from some wear, the only thing that looks suspect is the tape. Guess I'll have to try replacing it and then shoot some film.


Thanks to Louie, Dave and Glenn for the advice.

Rgds,

Martin

 

[Jerevan]

The bookbinders tape works well, other types of tapes (such as Gaffer-like types) might also work, but I find it important that the tape has fabric that has dense weave and good adhesion. I am not sure I like the gooey stuff on the back of the Gaffers I can find around here. It could get to places where it shouldn't be.

 

[gbenaim]

A couple of quick notes:

1. It's unlikely the leaks are caused by torn tape, as others have said.
2. You can test them using paper, instead of film, much cheaper.
3. Fixing them, if wooden, may require regluing the holders joints. I simply skipped the hassle and bought some more recent plastic holders. If you have the time and skill to repair them, great. Otherwise, I'd reccomend the same. There are enough things that can slow you down w LF, best to eliminate the easy ones.

Good luck!

 

[Dave Parker]

The bookbinders tape works well, other types of tapes (such as Gaffer-like types) might also work, but I find it important that the tape has fabric that has dense weave and good adhesion. I am not sure I like the gooey stuff on the back of the Gaffers I can find around here. It could get to places where it shouldn't be.

Jerevan,

It don't sound like your talking about gaffers tape, true gaffers tape has adhesive on the bad that is designed not to leave a residue when removed, I have been using it for years now and never had any glue migrate or move around...there are quite a few black cloth tapes on the market that people like to call gaffers tape, when in fact it is a type of duck tape, which is bad stuff for cameras and parts of cameras.

Dave

 

[Jerevan]

Dave,

It may well be I am talking about some kind of duct tape - and you're right about Gaffers being a brand name (which is used as a common name for all sorts of tape products). So like you say, be aware of what you put on your camera equipment.

Jimi

 

[sanking]

The bookbinders tape works well, other types of tapes (such as Gaffer-like types) might also work, but I find it important that the tape has fabric that has dense weave and good adhesion. I am not sure I like the gooey stuff on the back of the Gaffers I can find around here. It could get to places where it shouldn't be.

I recommend self-adhesive bookbinders tape. Gaffers tape has good adhesion but the tape itself is very stiff and this makes it difficult to fold the flaps completely over when loading the film. With Gaffer tape the flaps stand up a bit, which can interefer with film loading. But in a bind, Gaffers works much better most other tapes.

Sandy

 

[JHannon]

Here is a link to book hinge tape: http://www.gaylordmart.com/listing.asp?catid=118599&sid=78E7BF98891144D6A9E2C983207FDA&level=3&L0=Book%20Repair&L1=Book%20Cloth,%20Tape%20and%20Dispensers&L2=Binding%20and%20Hinge%20Repair&L3=Paper%2C+Plastic+and+Vinyl+Hinge+Tape

I have never tried it but it looks good. There are other tape products there to search.

Sorry about the long link. We used to be able to assign a name to a link but since the last software change to APUG, it seems to be gone. (Or there is a new way to do it.)

 

[Jim Noel]

It is difficult for me to imagine a Riteway leaking. I have over 100, and have never had a leak. I do notice on occasion that some students fail to insert the film holder all the way against the baffle at the end of the camera back. This causes light leaks.

As for tape, I use self sticking book binders tape as others have mentioned.

Jim