Name That Flare - Yashica FX-D

[Mrfrst]

Hi all,

I'm having a problem with my Yashica body where whenever the light source (even a diffused one) is in in front of me, I get these hazy areas at the bottom and/or top of the frame. It happens whether I'm using my 50mm/2 ML lens or my 28mm/2.8 YUS lens.

The closest thing that I've found resembling this problem is the mirror box reflection issue that some Nikon D750s have, which is caused by reflections off the AF sensor assembly - But the inside of the Yashica's mirror box looks perfectly matte when the mirror is up.

Has anyone seen anything like this?

(The portrait of the lady has other defects caused by a bad development, but the haze is its own issue)

 

[Mrfrst]

My best guess at this point is that it's either a light leak through the shutter (which I've tested-for extensively, and it doesn't seem to be that), or that something is happening with the mirror, and light bounces toward the film plane between the mirror and focusing screen.

I suspect that a lens hood will help, but I've never needed a lens hood in conditions like these before...

 

[benjiboy]

I don't think it is flare I think it's light leaks from the edges of film door because the foam light seals have perished
.

 

[MattKing]

Welcome to APUG.

To me, this looks like a classic case of a camera needing to have the light seals around the back replaced.

I know you see a correlation between certain lighting conditions and the observed result, but I expect that this is just a case of the effects being more visible in those circumstances.

 

[Mrfrst]

I thought so too for a while Matt - this camera had several light leaks, and I've been mostly successful in chasing them down. With these defects though, they are isolated to the frame--never appearing around the sprockets or across frames--and the only place where I can imagine this pattern happening is through the shutter...

 

[elcabezagrande]

With a white flare like that on color film, the light has to be entering from the front of the camera.

 

[Mrfrst]

Ah, good point! And makes me think of something I hadn't considered - The leatherette covering had turned into a sticky goo, so I had peeled it off, which uncovered some holes in the front of the body. I bet that light was getting in from those holes through the mirror hinge area. I've just recovered the camera with leather, so fingers crossed this next roll will be defect free.

Thanks for the warm welcome!

 

[shutterfinger]

With a lens on the camera body and a tight fitting lens cap on the lens lock the shutter open on B with a locking cable release. Open the camera back and take it and a small flashlight such as a Mini Mag ( http://maglite.com/shop/flashlights...aglite-2-cell-aa-flashlight.html#.V7jUilQkqUk ) into total darkness. Set the flashlight to focus a spot at 2 inches if possible. Looking at the front of the camera place the flashlight at the film plane. Look for any hint of light at the front of the camera. Anything other than black is a light leak. Tape around the lens cap with opaque tape if necessary to prevent light coming from around it.

 

[Mrfrst]

Sounds like a solid technique, but I think the problem might already be fixed. I'll keep that in mind if it doesn't work out though!

 

[AgX]

That would mean the front leatherette acting as light seal?
I always thought bodies in general where light tight at the front even under the leatherette.

 

[Mrfrst]

I assumed so too, but there is definitely some sort of opening for the mirror hinge that I can seen into. I'll post an update when I develop this next roll

 

[Mrfrst]

I peeled-back a piece of the leather and shone a light on the body in a dark room-result: I can see light through the mirror box.

Looks like case-closed

 

[Daire Quinlan]

Yes, from disassembling and re-covering the FX-D, there's a small plastic panel on the right as you look at the front of the camera. There's a noticeable gap between the sides of the panel and the rest of the body, and if you shine anything bright at the front and the mirror is up you can see direct light hitting the film plane. I recovered one FX-D with white leatherette, but I had to unpeel it and put some light sealing along that gap before I could shoot with it.

 

[AgX]

I recovered one FX-D with white leatherette, but I had to unpeel it and put some light sealing along that gap before I could shoot with it.

This is a point I never ever read about when leatherettes were discussed or advertized.
Thank you!