Holder Light Leak

I'm pretty sure I've got my 11x14 tray developing cracked now, but now I've found a new problem The attached scan shows what looks like a light leak in a film holder to me (it's the same on both top corners). Before I try to take it apart and fix the problem I'd like to confirm I'm right. So, is this a light leak?

Many thanks, Ian.

I don't think so. If it were a light leak the rebate would be printing white as well; unless their is a flaw in your darkslide. Check your bellows and the seal between the film holder and camera back before tearing into a fairly expensive film holder.

yours;

As Chris says, but also you could take a look at the hinges of your slides. Does the problem occur on all your slides? If so then it's more likely the camera at fault.

Thanks for your help guys. I've only seen it on this one holder which is one reason I suspect it (and I can't see any light leaking in when the holder is in place with its darkslide out). I haven't developed the B neg yet so I don't know whether it's only this side.

My guess is that the light's entering from above the strip that holds the film down, somewhere around the hinge. The mark looks like a shadow cast by the end of the strip that holds the film to me. And it's on both sides.

There's a little bit of play in the hinged bar on the side where this neg was. So what I should probably do is replace the hinge tape and see whether that fixes it.

The light-struck portion of the negative is on the bottom of the holder (top of the picture). The darkslide light trap is not the problem. The fact that the rebate is black leads me to believe that the holder was not seated correctly in the camera or that you accidentally wrenched the back open when the darkslide was out. Check your camera back for flaws, obstacles as well. And your bellows to as long as you are at it.

It could also be flare; it's hard to tell what lighting conditions you were working under.

Best

Doremus Scudder

www.DoremusScudder.com