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Light leak question

cdowell

Member
Allowing Ads
Joined
Dec 16, 2009
Messages
168
Location
Durham, N.C.
Format
Medium Format
I'm trying to track down a light leak on a 35mm camera I cleaned up and got back into action. The leak varies but if it shows up at all it always comes in on the bottom right as shown below. I'm trying to figure out whether the image hits the film upside down and reversed.

In other words, if the leak below is always on the bottom righthand side of the printed negative, would it make sense for the leak to be in the upper left-hand side of the camera (as you are looking through it from behind, I mean). If so there is a likely place to start looking since there is a lever there.

Thanks.

 
Yes, the image forms upside down and reversed at the film plane.

Confirm this by placing the camera on "B", opening the back, placing a sheet of thin paper across the aperture and pointing it at a bright scene.

You can also place the processed negative in the gate and see where the streak falls in relation to the back.
 
Light also enters through the viewfinder eyepeice if the light source is to the left or right of the back, around ISO view windows in the back, the back hinge and latch in addition to weak seals along the straight sections of the back. Shinny objects in the optical path may reflect secondary light onto the film also.
 
Thank you both.