Fogging on pictures

Hubigpielover · Jun 7, 2017

I shot my first roll in my new to me Minolta Autocord which is awesome and I love using it. All but my last three pictures having having fogging in the exact same place. I've got to believe it is operator error but I don't know what I am doing wrong.

I really love Fomapan 100. It is a great film. I've ordered some Ilford Pan and FP4 for this weekend and cannot wait to try it out.

Sorry for the links but I couldn't figure how to upload pictures from Flickr.

https://flic.kr/p/UZzCxA

https://flic.kr/p/Vkasgy

https://flic.kr/p/UmbXqg

MattKing · Jun 7, 2017

You either have:
1) a light leak in the camera;
2) a light leak arising from allowing the backing paper to be too loose when you are loading the film; or
3) a light leak in your processing regime.
I'd vote for option 1).

Hubigpielover · Jun 7, 2017

MattKing said:
You either have:
1) a light leak in the camera;
2) a light leak arising from allowing the backing paper to be too loose when you are loading the film; or
3) a light leak in your processing regime.
I'd vote for option 1).

Thanks Matt.....wouldn't number 1 mean that all the film would be fogged?

DWThomas · Jun 7, 2017

The fact that it is on both sides of the frame and multiple frames in the roll makes me think the problem is #1 in Matt's list.
Do the fogged areas extend into the film rebate; e.g., outside the image frame?
Light leaks can be somewhat intermittent depending on ambient light hitting the camera and also the time elapsing between frames.
I have seen situations where the light is hitting the film between the film gate and the film spool, that is, outside the actual frame being exposed. In some cameras that can be a result of a bad seal at the hinge or the opening side of whatever door closes up the camera.

The image will be upside down and reversed right to left in the camera so taking that into account can help point to a problem area.

shutterfinger · Jun 8, 2017

Hubigpielover said:
wouldn't number 1 mean that all the film would be fogged?

No. If a weak spot in seals allow light in it will depend on how bright of light the weak area is in and the angle of the light to the weak area.
Put a negative with the light leak over the film plane with the emulsion side facing the lens and the top of the image at the bottom of the camera.
Now examine the light seals in the light leak areas, the hinge area, and the latch area. The seals may be compressed, hard, of flaking out. Also check that the back is closing evenly.

When making a post there should be a Upload Image or File box in the lower right of the post/reply frame. If you do not see the box it may be blanked out but will still work if you click on the correct blank area, usually center of the three options boxes there.

Hubigpielover · Jun 8, 2017

shutterfinger said:
No. If a weak spot in seals allow light in it will depend on how bright of light the weak area is in and the angle of the light to the weak area.
Put a negative with the light leak over the film plane with the emulsion side facing the lens and the top of the image at the bottom of the camera.
Now examine the light seals in the light leak areas, the hinge area, and the latch area. The seals may be compressed, hard, of flaking out. Also check that the back is closing evenly.

That makes sense. I checked the seals and there is none. Not even a little bit of seals. Can I use electrical tape until I send it off to get CLA'd?

shutterfinger said:
No. If a weak spot in seals allow light in it will depend on how bright of light the weak area is in and the angle of the light to the weak area.
Put a negative with the light leak over the film plane with the emulsion side facing the lens and the top of the image at the bottom of the camera.
Now examine the light seals in the light leak areas, the hinge area, and the latch area. The seals may be compressed, hard, of flaking out. Also check that the back is closing evenly.

When making a post there should be a Upload Image or File box in the lower right of the post/reply frame. If you do not see the box it may be blanked out but will still work if you click on the correct blank area, usually center of the three options boxes there.

I don't have the negatives back yet but I will look. I did not I don't have any seals left. Surprised I got anything out of the roll.

Thanks y'all.

MattKing · Jun 8, 2017

Some cameras make more use of seal material than others. Start a thread in the either the medium format sub-forum or the camera repairing sub-forum with the title: "Minolta Autocord - where should I seelight seal material?" and I'll bet you will get lots of informative responses. Be sure to include the details you have included here.
As a general matter, a thread title like "Fogging on Pictures" may be so general as to not attract much interest.
And as for uploading, scroll down and on the right you should see "Upload Image or File". Click on that and follow the instructions. Be sure to re-size down to a maximum of 850 pixels on the long side.

Dan Daniel · Jun 8, 2017

The Autocord should have seal material in the grooves along the sides of the back and the top edge. At the bottom there should be a thin velvet-type layer that will meet the lower face of the main body when the back is closed.

Your leak appears to be from a leak in the spool chamber area. Put the negatives in the camera as they were shot, then see where the leaks fall in relation to either the top or bottom film spool- often leaks happen before or after the film is exposed.

Another thing to check on an Autocord is if the focus scale is installed. There are two screws that hold the focus scale in place and the holes for these screws go through to the lower spool chamber. Vinyl tape will seal them if the scale is gone.

Hubigpielover · Jun 8, 2017

MattKing said:
Some cameras make more use of seal material than others. Start a thread in the either the medium format sub-forum or the camera repairing sub-forum with the title: "Minolta Autocord - where should I seelight seal material?" and I'll bet you will get lots of informative responses. Be sure to include the details you have included here.

As always, thanks for the good advice Matt.

Dan Daniel said:
The Autocord should have seal material in the grooves along the sides of the back and the top edge. At the bottom there should be a thin velvet-type layer that will meet the lower face of the main body when the back is closed.

It looks like I am in good shape there.

Dan Daniel said:
Your leak appears to be from a leak in the spool chamber area. Put the negatives in the camera as they were shot, then see where the leaks fall in relation to either the top or bottom film spool- often leaks happen before or after the film is exposed.

When I get my negative back, I will do this. It was my first time loading the camera.

Dan Daniel said:
Another thing to check on an Autocord is if the focus scale is installed. There are two screws that hold the focus scale in place and the holes for these screws go through to the lower spool chamber. Vinyl tape will seal them if the scale is gone.

Well now that you mentioned it. I had to take off the focus scale off because my lever is broken and that is the only way to use it. The last three pictures were taken when it was heavily overcast while the first seven on bright sunny days. I will just tape all the seams and screw holes and see if that works. Mr Karl will be getting it soon for a CLA and repair soon.

Thanks everyone!

Dan Daniel · Jun 9, 2017

If the focus scale screws weren't in, that's the source. I wouldn't waste time on the back edges. Just tape the screw holes on the front.

Hubigpielover · Jun 13, 2017

Dan Daniel said:
If the focus scale screws weren't in, that's the source. I wouldn't waste time on the back edges. Just tape the screw holes on the front.

Appreciate it!

Fogging on pictures

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