Developing Problems

[Henry Alive]

Today, I have taken photos with my Minolta AG-1. I have worked with two roll films of Kodak TX400. Like always, the film was in reloadable Metal Film Cassette that I prepared some weeks ago. I want to add that I have not removed the 50 mm lens during the time I have been taken photos.
I have just developed both films and I have been surprised since there is places in the film that show like strips overexposed but not completely burned. This strips measure approximately 1 cm, and they appear in any place of the film. The holes of the film in these areas are also burned. However, there are also areas of film without any strange sing of been burned. In fact, there are a lot of apparently good pictures in each film.
I do not think the camera has problems, since the overexposed do not affect the complete film. It could be problems with the Metal film Cassette that I used. However, it is strange that it has happened with both films simultaneously.
Could you help me to understand what is going on with my films?
Thanks,
Henry.

 

[Anon Ymous]

Have a look at the light seals of your camera. I've seen light seals becoming something like chewing gum and they leaked.

 

[Bluechapel]

This will sound stupid (because it was): I once had a sporadic problem with random light leaks-untill I realized that I was wearing a t-shirt with very old glow-in-the-dark ink on it. By the time my eyes had adjusted enough to notice it, the film was on the reel and in the tank and the light was back on. The film noticed it though.
The point is: if it isn't an obvious leak around some seal on the camera, look for the non-obvious, watch faces, glow tape, etc.

 

[George Collier]

You could load 10-15 exposures into each cassette, then walk around in the sun with them for a while, then develop without putting them in the camera or exposing them. If they are leaking, you'll know, not much expense either.

 

[Henry Alive]

Thanks for your answers. I have taken new photos today with my Minolta XS-1 and with my Nikon FM3a. Again, I have had the same problem with the Minolta camera, and the Nikon one did not have any problem. It seems my Minolta is allowing the light to go inside it. It is a pity since it was a good camera. I use to carry it in my car all the time. I will change it for another one. Thanks again,
Henry,

 

[wogster]

Thanks for your answers. I have taken new photos today with my Minolta XS-1 and with my Nikon FM3a. Again, I have had the same problem with the Minolta camera, and the Nikon one did not have any problem. It seems my Minolta is allowing the light to go inside it. It is a pity since it was a good camera. I use to carry it in my car all the time. I will change it for another one. Thanks again,
Henry,

Most cameras use some kind of plastic foam on the door to seal light tight, with age the foam breaks down and allows light to leak through. There are a couple of fixes, one is to send the camera to a good repair facility that works with Minolta cameras, for a light seal replacement. It's a fairly simple and routine repair. The other option is to go on ebay and search for a user named interslice, he has light seal replacement material for many cameras along with instructions on how to replace the seals. I heard about this guy years ago, have never used the stuff, but one of my cameras does need it. I think the kits run about US$10-13 or so. The theory is that you use a special tool to scrape out the old stuff and put in new material from the kit. If your going to toss the camera it might be worth ordering one of the kits and trying it, if it works then your camera is back in business....

 

[ic-racer]

Not sure what that camera is but put new foam rubber in there and keep it going!