Light Leak Problems Minolta XD-7

Oddscy · Aug 19, 2020

Hi,

I have a problem concerning lightleaks with my Minolta XD-7 (all samples in following link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/16zZreX5ygkC-_nAiuSSPPMEdAqgw2GR3?usp=sharing). I have already replaced the lightseals at the back of the body almost a year ago or so and had less problems than before (i still had minor lightleaks but nothing that annoyed me too much). The light leaks always appeared at the same two spots as seen in img153.jpg. However, now they have reappeared and im unsure why. I already put a maglight to the front of the camera without a lense and checked the back of the camera and the hinges for light when on bulb but didnt see any light escaping. I also did this the other way around with a roll of film loaded and didnt see any light leaking around the film and the roll was flat. I have attached a sample of a light leak before the fix (img156.jpg) and after the fix (img342.jpg). I'm thankful for every answer and help

oddscy

Patrick Robert James · Aug 19, 2020

You aren't showing the whole neg. If the light leak is only in the image area and not the rebate, then it is in the mirror box somewhere. If the leak extends the full width of the film I'd suspect the hinge is the problem. You need to check the light seals at the hinge. It is possible you don't have one there or it isn't thick enough to seal up that space. It could be the film reminder window as well if the camera has one. More images of the negs and of the camera would help.

Oddscy · Aug 19, 2020

Patrick Robert James said:
More images of the negs and of the camera would help.

thanks, i've added more photos of the camera and the negatives. i hope its visible that the leak goes over the top of the film as well and not only the image area. there is a seal on the flap side of the hinge but not on the body side. there is no seal on the latch at all. https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/16zZreX5ygkC-_nAiuSSPPMEdAqgw2GR3?usp=sharing

monopix · Aug 19, 2020

I think you may have multiple problems.

Put in a film. In a darkened room, wind on a couple of frames but don't expose them. Wind on another and give an exposure. Before winding on again, expose the camera/back to strong light all around. A flash fired at close range usually works. Now wind on several more blank frames. Use the rest of the film if you want. Develop. You'll get one exposed frame with some blank frames either side. Hopefully, you'll also get the leak appear. You can now tell exactly where the leak is relative to the single exposed frame. This is my standard procedure for finding leaks and it works every time. Fixing them may not be so easy.

Oddscy · Aug 19, 2020

monopix said:
In a darkened room, wind on a couple of frames but don't expose them.

might sound stupid but how am i supposed to wind past one frame without using the shutter?

Oddscy · Aug 19, 2020

monopix said:
Fixing them may not be so easy.

How do you usually tackle this?

shutterfinger · Aug 19, 2020

Hinge mount pin bent!

Patrick Robert James · Aug 19, 2020

shutterfinger said:
View attachment 252748

Hinge mount pin bent!

That is an eagle eye right there!

If you want to verify the location of the leak, put the neg in upside down and the leak area will probably hit right where the pin is bent on the edge. It is definitely coming from the bottom side of the camera. Remember, negs are exposed upside down in the camera....

To take the door off, just press that little screwhead that is toward the top of the hinge down with your finger nail. Some cameras have a plate for the hinge. If you peel back the leather on the body near the hinge and there are screws under there, then there is a plate. You could remove it and straighten it. Or just straighten it on the camera body, but I'd remove it. Check the pin too and see if it is bent.

Oddscy · Aug 19, 2020

shutterfinger said:
View attachment 252748

Hinge mount pin bent!

How did I miss that geez. Thanks a lot. I hope I get that fixed. I don't have time to make a test as vacation is coming up quickly but I guess that'll be testing grounds then. Thanks again.

Oddscy · Aug 19, 2020

I've also noticed that the bottom of the camera has a little bit of flex to it when I press it. The screws on the right and left are tight though and I don't see any way of tightening the bottom panel other than the screws so is that just meant to be?

shutterfinger · Aug 19, 2020

Oddscy said:
How did I miss that geez

Eyes out of calibration or snow blind?

Oddscy said:
I've also noticed that the bottom of the camera has a little bit of flex to it when I press it

Is this with the back open or closed? The baseplate is soft aluminum so it may have some give over open areas even if there are components or wiring .5mm below the plate.
Remove the base plate and inspect for hairline cracks in the body.

Oddscy · Aug 19, 2020

shutterfinger said:
Eyes out of calibration or snow blind?

Is this with the back open or closed? The baseplate is soft aluminum so it may have some give over open areas even if there are components or wiring .5mm below the plate.
Remove the base plate and inspect for hairline cracks in the body.

Probably just blind haha. It's with both open and closed. I had a quick check this morning but I'll go over it more thoroughly tomorrow. I fixed the crooked pin it was quite easy actually I just bent it back into position without removing the leather worked a charm. Thanks anyways huge help

monopix · Aug 20, 2020

Oddscy said:
might sound stupid but how am i supposed to wind past one frame without using the shutter?

You don't. You don't allow light to reach the film. e.g. keep the lens cap on.

monopix · Aug 20, 2020

Oddscy said:
How do you usually tackle this?

That depends on the issue.

Oddscy · Aug 20, 2020

yea i thought i was missing something there. i think ill just develop the next film and see if the bent pin maybe fixed my problem. Thanks though.

icecoffin · Aug 28, 2020

Hi,
I've just got a Minolta XD-7 and found this discussion so decided to not make a new one since it's a similar topic. I haven't tested it yet and still need to change the light seals, but I've already noticed that the back door is a bit loose in the bottom left corner - you can see on the photo that the lines are not parallel. Please find the photos here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/n81rsw3ji5w60d1/AACZIJSUe8ODaSf23EGMMl7Pa?dl=0. I can press on it to align but then it springs back. I don't see any bent parts and can't figure out the reason, is that something that could cause a light leak as well? Or can it somehow fix itself when I change the seals? Thanks!

grain elevator · Aug 28, 2020

icecoffin said:
Hi,
I've just got a Minolta XD-7 and found this discussion so decided to not make a new one since it's a similar topic. I haven't tested it yet and still need to change the light seals, but I've already noticed that the back door is a bit loose in the bottom left corner - you can see on the photo that the lines are not parallel. Please find the photos here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/n81rsw3ji5w60d1/AACZIJSUe8ODaSf23EGMMl7Pa?dl=0. I can press on it to align but then it springs back. I don't see any bent parts and can't figure out the reason, is that something that could cause a light leak as well? Or can it somehow fix itself when I change the seals? Thanks!

I don't think that's a problem. It should still be light tight enough with good seals, and the cassette side is less critical anyway. Mine don't have so much play there, the door latch on yours may just be more worn.

Oddscy · Aug 28, 2020

icecoffin said:
Hi,
I've just got a Minolta XD-7 and found this discussion so decided to not make a new one since it's a similar topic. I haven't tested it yet and still need to change the light seals, but I've already noticed that the back door is a bit loose in the bottom left corner - you can see on the photo that the lines are not parallel. Please find the photos here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/n81rsw3ji5w60d1/AACZIJSUe8ODaSf23EGMMl7Pa?dl=0. I can press on it to align but then it springs back. I don't see any bent parts and can't figure out the reason, is that something that could cause a light leak as well? Or can it somehow fix itself when I change the seals? Thanks!

im unsure but i feel like your bottom hinge pin is maybe a bit bent as well (i cant really judge from the photos) but i couldnt imagine anything else causing the loose back door besides maybe an entirely bent back door.

icecoffin · Aug 28, 2020

Oddscy said:
im unsure but i feel like your bottom hinge pin is maybe a bit bent as well (i cant really judge from the photos) but i couldnt imagine anything else causing the loose back door besides maybe an entirely bent back door.

Actually you might be right, but after trying to align it with the top pin I feel like there's even more freeplay; the back door also seems to be even (I detached it and put on the table, it might be a tiny bit uneven but almost unnoticeable). I'm a bit afraid to bend it too much though So I guess it's the door latch.

shutterfinger · Aug 28, 2020

The hinge pin socket at the bottom is about .025 to .035 inch out from the bottom plate and leather while the top is tight against the top plate and body leather. The back may be warped also. Remove the back and lay it on a flat work surface, the hinge and latch ends should be flat on the work surface without any pressure on the back. If they are not turn the back over and determine where the bend begins. Holding the back firmly in your hands and giving a twist opposite the warp or bend or pressing in with your thumbs on a bend area you should be able to get it to lay flat and close on the camera with equal gap on both ends and top to bottom. It will likely leak light as it currently is.

icecoffin · Aug 28, 2020

I managed to make the gap more or less even from both top and bottom - it's about 0.5 mm (0.02 inch) now. I still can't cover it completely but it's better than before. Double checked the back and it's not warped.

Oddscy · Aug 28, 2020

that looks better i believe that gap is fairly normal

shutterfinger · Aug 28, 2020

Top edge may be bent out slightly otherwise the edge gap looks good. What about the hinge side?

icecoffin · Aug 29, 2020

Here are some more pictures. I think the top and bottom edges are equally bent out

shutterfinger · Aug 29, 2020

Run a roll of ISO 400 through it in bright sunlight if possible as that will be a better judge than appearance which is good.

Light Leak Problems Minolta XD-7

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