Mamiya six folder help

[AOH]

Hi everyone,

First post here. I have a mamiya 6 folding camera, I believe the K2 version with both 6x6 and 6x4.5 option without the film advance lock feature. I have been enjoying it so far but have had some issues with some of my photos. I have noticed some light leaks as well as the bottom edge of the film curving/not being straight like the other edges, image attached for reference. Any tips or suggestions would be appreciated.

In regards to the light leak, I checked the bellows in the dark with my flashlight and could not detect any pinholes or noticeable tears. Any ideas as to where else a light leak can be coming from?

For the curving bottom edge of the film , I thought it might be due to the pressure plate of the camera; however just from an eye check it doesn't seem to be bent or distorted in any way. Not sure if it matters, but for my version of the camera, the pressure plate is attached on a hinge to the camera as opposed to being one of the ones that can be fully removed.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Dan Daniel]

The vertical streaks at the left edge of the top leak makes me think that there is an issue with one of the film spool chambers. The vertical steaks can be reflections on/around a roller. Without thinking it through, I would guess the left chamber.

Put the negative itself back in the camera as it would have been moving through the camera. Look not only at the film when it is in the opening for exposure, but also move the frame forward and backwards one frame and see where the leaks fall in the feed and takeup spool chambers.

Light leaks can be easy and they can be very tricky. Be very methodical as you track down all of the suggestions you receive here.

As to the curve, what confuses me is that the image appears to be in focus right up to the edge. If the film itself was curling, focus would shift? Look at the bellows, maybe a fold is falling down into the light path. In this case, top of the bellows.

 

[Kino]

An old camera repair tech told me this trick:

Under safe light conditions, cut a piece of b&w photographic paper that just fits across the entire back of the camera (also the spools) and lay it across the aperture.

You can use two sheets, sandwiched base to base, with the emulsion facing the front of the camera and the back of the camera if you suspect leaks from the back itself

Using stout twine or a bit of chain, hang the camera in bright sunlight and give it a gentle spin.

After 10 or 20 minutes, take it back into the darkroom (noting exact orientation of how it was placed in camera) and process as normal.

Any exposure streaks should point out where the leak(s) originate.

 

[AOH]

The vertical streaks at the left edge of the top leak makes me think that there is an issue with one of the film spool chambers. The vertical steaks can be reflections on/around a roller. Without thinking it through, I would guess the left chamber.

Put the negative itself back in the camera as it would have been moving through the camera. Look not only at the film when it is in the opening for exposure, but also move the frame forward and backwards one frame and see where the leaks fall in the feed and takeup spool chambers.

Light leaks can be easy and they can be very tricky. Be very methodical as you track down all of the suggestions you receive here.

As to the curve, what confuses me is that the image appears to be in focus right up to the edge. If the film itself was curling, focus would shift? Look at the bellows, maybe a fold is falling down into the light path. In this case, top of the bellows.

Thanks, Dan! Never considered before the film spool chambers to be a potential compromised area. Will have to take a look later when I have time with a negative to see if the leaks fall in line with the take-up spool area.

For the curve, I believe you correctly diagnosed the issue. I took a look at the top bellows and overall it is noticeably more curved than the bottom and in the way of the light path. Not sure what the exact fix for that would be, but since this is an older camera, I'm hesitant to try and do anything with the bellows in fear of damaging them.

 

[AOH]

An old camera repair tech told me this trick:

Under safe light conditions, cut a piece of b&w photographic paper that just fits across the entire back of the camera (also the spools) and lay it across the aperture.

You can use two sheets, sandwiched base to base, with the emulsion facing the front of the camera and the back of the camera if you suspect leaks from the back itself

Using stout twine or a bit of chain, hang the camera in bright sunlight and give it a gentle spin.

After 10 or 20 minutes, take it back into the darkroom (noting exact orientation of how it was placed in camera) and process as normal.

Any exposure streaks should point out where the leak(s) originate.

Hey Kino, thanks for the reply. That's a pretty nifty trick! Admittedly, however, I've never developed film myself (yet!) so do not have access to the proper supplies. I'll consider doing this down the road if I'm still unable to figure out the source of the light leak with more conservative measures.