Diagnosing a Leitz CL

[rgross12]

Hi all,

I recently purchased a Leitz Minolta CL and have developed some first rolls. While I am still learning to use the rangefinder and manual exposure, I am getting strange flares in many of my shots. As the flares look almost identical each time they appear, I am assuming it is not just an issue with exposing on my part. It appears in both low light and high light situations. I was hoping maybe someone has seen this and can point me in the right direction of how to address it.

Lens: M Rokkor 40mm

 

[koraks]

Welcome to Photrio!
The defects you show look like a light leak in the camera back to me, possibly due to degraded seals around the back. See here: http://aki-asahi.com/store/html/CLE/foam/index.php

 

[rgross12]

Thank you! Strange it has not happened in every photo, but since it is so consistent in the frame placement, it makes sense. I will see if I can get it fixed.

 

[koraks]

It may not happen if the top of the camera is shielded from direct light. So you may not see it if there's little time between shots and the camera spends its time in the shade or in a bag. Conversely, on outdoor shots in bright daylight the problem will turn up more.

Note also that the problem occurs mostly at the bottom of the frame, which corresponds with the top of the camera - which is where the light tends to come from.

I have good hopes that a simple replacement of the seals will help.

 

[reddesert]

When diagnosing light struck negatives, it is helpful to see a picture of the entire film, not just the image area or scanned area. It would be good to show a photo of the film strip - it doesn't have to be a great photo of it. For example hold the strip up to a light source such as a window or a monitor/ipad displaying a white screen. Several reasons, including to see if the light strike extends outside the image area.

Also note that the light seal kit koraks linked to is for a Minolta CLE, not the Leitz/Minolta CL. You can find another kit or make light seals from generic pieces of foam/felt.

 

[reddesert]

Also, I would look at the fit of the upper back to the camera body - IIRC on this camera the entire back/bottom comes off. Be sure that you are getting the upper edge fully seated under the camera body.

 

[GregY]

Also, I would look at the fit of the upper back to the camera body - IIRC on this camera the entire back/bottom comes off. Be sure that you are getting the upper edge fully seated under the camera body.

Yes ..... also try taping across the upper edge of the door to see if the flare marks go away....

 

[RalphLambrecht]

Welcome to Photrio!
The defects you show look like a light leak in the camera back to me, possibly due to degraded seals around the back. See here: http://aki-asahi.com/store/html/CLE/foam/index.php

I agree; it strongly looks like a light leak. I'd remove the lens and shine a small flashlight into the camera; in an otherwise dark environment, see if you can detect a light leak around the closed back.

 

[dourbalistar]

If I'm not mistaken, light leaks through the back would exhibit as reddish/orange artifacts on color film. The blueish/white artifacts suggest it might be from the sides or top of the body. Another place to check is the strap lugs. From the inside on the film canister side, there are a pair of screws holding the top strap lug in place. Shine a light through that area to see if you can detect a leak.

Repair: Leica CL

Here's a quick how-to for the removal of the Leica CL's top plate, for viewfinder cleaning or rangefinder adjustment.

justinlow.com

 

[koraks]

light leaks through the back would exhibit as reddish/orange artifacts on color film.

Only if the light actually falls through the back of the film only. It can still seep past the film, bounce around and hit it from the front. A front-side leak is also conceivable, but generally less likely. It happens more often on bellows cameras.

 

[dourbalistar]

Only if the light actually falls through the back of the film only. It can still seep past the film, bounce around and hit it from the front. A front-side leak is also conceivable, but generally less likely. It happens more often on bellows cameras.

Thanks, @koraks! It could be light leaking through because the back is not seated properly as @reddesert suggested. Unlike the CLE which has a swing back, the entire back shell of the CL separates from body. The back shell wraps around the front side of the body, too, so could leak from the front if not seated properly. I just checked my CL and didn't see any foam seals on the back shell. Looking at the samples again, the leaks seem to be coming in from two points based on the artifacts, so light seeping through two screw holes of the strap lug is also possible.

 

[koraks]

light seeping through two screw holes of the strap lug is also possible.

Yes, that's certainly a valuable suggestion. And the red-scale thinking is good diagnostical thinking, too!

 

[GregY]

Thanks, @koraks! It could be light leaking through because the back is not seated properly as @reddesert suggested. Unlike the CLE which has a swing back, the entire back shell of the CL separates from body. The back shell wraps around the front side of the body, too, so could leak from the front if not seated properly. I just checked my CL and didn't see any foam seals on the back shell. Looking at the samples again, the leaks seem to be coming in from two points based on the artifacts, so light seeping through two screw holes of the strap lug is also possible.

If it were the screws for the lugs, i'd expect the flare to start on the narrow side of the film, but the upper lug is not exposed in the film chamber (it's to the side of the viewfinder window) and the lower lug is somewhat blocked by the film casette. I wonder if the upper edge of the back has been bent or dented.

 

[drpsilver]

09 Sept 2024

Rgross12:

I also have a Leica CL, and have observed this very phenomena. If the back of the camera is not correctly, or completely, fitted and locked in place there is the possibility of light leaks when the camera is in "high light situations". The CL that I have does not use any foam for the light seals, but rather tight fitting overlapping metal flanges. This creates a tortuous path for light to get into the back of the camera, unless the back is not properly fitted.

Hope this helps.

Regards,
Darwin

 

[eli griggs]

Lock your CL shutter open, without a lens on, face down on top of a cell phone white light on or light table and lay a strip of these negatives, in the correct, upsidedown position on the film take-up and, hopefully, you'll be more easily able to determine from what area of the camera the leak is happening in.

Try it and see if it helps any.

Eli