FM2 light leaks

[egdinger]

So i found a second hand FM2 with 60mm macro for $100.

It seems that the camera leaks light from somewhere. I threw a strip of paper in the film chamber for a bit and let it sit. There were two blackened triangles on it.

I don't know the exact spots where the paper was, but the fogged parts were in both the film canister area, and the take up area. My guess is the hinge and the latch, but I don't know. I didn't see any degraded foam or anything. Anyone have any suggestions?

 

[greybeard]

Sure. Divide and conquer--repeat the experiment with something like black tape covering half of each end, and find out if the leaks were under the covered area or not. Two or three iterations and you should know pretty accurately where the light is leaking in. Notes and some sort of registration marks to let you relocate the paper should also help.

 

[reellis67]

I once saw a fellow who made a small AA battery powered light leak detector. He wired a small flashlight bulb to a battery and placed it in the camera and closed the back. He then went into a darkroom and looked to see where the light was showing through. I think it best to just replace all the light seals - it only takes 15 minutes or so - just to be sure. Jon Goodman sells the kits, cheap, and he is very helpful to boot.

- Randy

 

[Mike Kennedy]

A second vote for John Goodman. Replacing your light seals is a great rainy afternoon project.

Mike

 

[egdinger]

Thats the thing, I didn't see any light seals on this camera, is it supposed to have them?

 

[Frank-G]

I would assume so.

 

[Steve Smith]

Thats the thing, I didn't see any light seals on this camera, is it supposed to have them?

I am relying on my memory of looking at my father's Nikon F here but I am fairly certain that the Nikon F does not have light seal rubber but uses light trapping design of precision interlocking tongues and grooves in the back to keep the light out. I'm not sure about the FM/FM2, etc. but I would be surprised if it were not the same.


Steve.

 

[Frank-G]

I have an FM2T. I can't open it because I have film in it. But I'm pretty sure it has seals around the inside of the door.

 

[egdinger]

I was wrong, there is a foam light seal around the back, it does look kind of flat and dead.

Anybody have a link for Jon Goodman? I did a google search, but only found the actor.

 

[titrisol]

Jon Goodman = interslice at ebay
run a search for seller or see item nbr 110027133611

For about $10 you can get the deluxe kit, is well worth it.
You'll need some Ronsonol, some toilet paper/paper towels and lotsa patience to remove the old seals, that is the hardest part.
Then about 45 miutes to install the new ones

You can also send a message thorugh ebay to him and ask if he has detaile dinstruction for the FM2... he is really great and has detailed instructions for lots of cameras.

for the FM they are here: http://www.kyphoto.com/classics/seal/Nikon_FM_FE.pdf

 

[egdinger]

Thanks, very helpful.