Digital tools to fix analog problems (DIY light seal kit)

dontcallmebrave · Jul 23, 2022

I couldn't find a light seal kit for my Ricoh 500g but I *was* lucky enough to find a blog post on lomography on changing the seals that just happened to include measurements.

So a few minutes in Cricut design space, a sheet of 2mm adhesive EVA foam from the craft store and a couple more minutes on the cricut maker and tada! I have my own seals without touching an exacto knife lol

(The thin one is just stuck to the backing paper crooked it cut just fine, the foam stuck a bit better to the cutting mat then I was expecting so it smushed a little removing it lol)

If I did it again I would cut a rectangle outline around the whole thing, cover it in blue painters tape and remove it all in one piece then remove each strip afterwards.

dontcallmebrave · Jul 23, 2022

Well, good thing I test fit...... 2mm foam is too thick, off to get some 1mm foam and some felt

fpd2 · Jul 23, 2022

dontcallmebrave said:
Well, good thing I test fit...... 2mm foam is too thick, off to get some 1mm foam and some felt

I have recently read that moltopren is preferred over eva foam, being more squishy. Also agree on the thickness, 2mm does not always work
Another great use for Cricut is cutting out leatherette for cameras.

dontcallmebrave · Jul 23, 2022

With how much I scraped off of both sides of the camera I thought the original was 2 mm for sure

I'm pretty sure that's the stuff my Konica c35 light seal kit was made with it was a pain in the butt to trim it was very stretchy. I'm not sure how well my Cricut or cameo would handle it. I guess I could use the roller cutter

fpd2 · Jul 23, 2022

dontcallmebrave said:
With how much I scraped off of both sides of the camera I thought the original was 2 mm for sure

I'm pretty sure that's the stuff my Konica c35 light seal kit was made with it was a pain in the butt to trim it was very stretchy. I'm not sure how well my Cricut or cameo would handle it. I guess I could use the roller cutter

In my experience with open cell foam, I needed a fresh razorblade each time. Xacto was way too dull and with scissors I couldn't see where I'm going

AgX · Jul 24, 2022

dontcallmebrave said:
Well, good thing I test fit...... 2mm foam is too thick, off to get some 1mm foam and some felt

I have never seen any felt used at a camera. But thick yarns. Thus at least on these cameras it might work, but then the apt yarn would not need slicing and is more sturdy at mounting.

Maybe instead you are thinking of velvet,.

Nitroplait · Jul 24, 2022

AgX said:
I have never seen any felt used at a camera. But thick yarns. Thus at least on these cameras it might work, but then the apt yarn would not need slicing and is more sturdy at mounting.

Maybe instead you are thinking of velvet,.

I have seen felt in cameras. I have replaced foam in 10-12 cameras during the Corona years so don't ask me which.

Milly's camera includes felt in their "Bumper Pack" and I have found the felt sheet very useful in places where there is more friction and wear.

Camera light seal foam and felt BUMPER PACK - Milly's Cameras

Is your film camera producing streaky images or negatives, or maybe the foam is just very sticky? Our Camera light seal *BUMPER PACK* is the ideal remedy...

cameramill.co.uk

fpd2 · Jul 24, 2022

AgX said:
I have never seen any felt used at a camera. But thick yarns. Thus at least on these cameras it might work, but then the apt yarn would not need slicing and is more sturdy at mounting.

Do you recommend what kind and how thick yarn I should buy? I've got one camera where the yarn falls out every time you open the back, and it looks pretty used up.

AgX · Jul 24, 2022

I never took out the yarn used at such camera. But I expect it to have been fastened by spots of contact cement. As a yarn pressed tightly into a slit likely would have lost its elasticity.
Alternatively you could substitute a yarn by foamrubber of apt dimensions.

ic-racer · Jul 24, 2022

AgX said:
I have never seen any felt used at a camera. But thick yarns. Thus at least on these cameras it might work, but then the apt yarn would not need slicing and is more sturdy at mounting.

Maybe instead you are thinking of velvet,.

Off topic but I found felt in two places. The front standard, behind the lensboard, of a Century 8x10 and felt used as little wicks to keep oil on the (non-ball) bearings of Bolex movie projector. Ever wonder about the oil bottle that comes with the Bolex projector, you squeeze the oil in the little red holes and it soaks into the felt.
Why would anyone deal with such a contraption...easy, there is no plastic, belt, rubber or foam in the projector. It can last many lifetimes.

dontcallmebrave · Jul 26, 2022

1mm foam and the Cricut worked great!

The felt was a "just in case" extra thin material for the bit behind the latch but trimming the foam around the latch was good enough.

4season · Jul 26, 2022

dontcallmebrave said:
1mm foam and the Cricut worked great!

The felt was a "just in case" extra thin material for the bit behind the latch but trimming the foam around the latch was good enough.

Which machine are you using, and how do you like it overall?

And have you also tried using Cricut for ~0.5 mm leatherette to be used as body coverings?

dontcallmebrave · Jul 27, 2022

4season said:
Which machine are you using, and how do you like it overall?

And have you also tried using Cricut for ~0.5 mm leatherette to be used as body coverings?

The older maker and this was cut using the knife blade. People do use it for leather and wood veneer so I imagine leatherette would be fine it would just take it several passes like some of the other thicker materials.

I like the machine and the cutting options more than my cameo 4. Like the tangential blade options are awesome, not so much a fan of Cricut designs space though.

Digital tools to fix analog problems (DIY light seal kit)

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