Ok I've come to the conclusion all Kiev 88 120 film backs have light leaks where the dark slides go in (light seals)

fatboy22 · Apr 27, 2025

I recently purchased a Kiev 88Cm from Ukraine, it was a ARAX upgraded unit. The camera body itself functions flawlessly so far. Unfortunately every 120 film back I have leaks light at where the dark slide goes in. ( The light seals are shit!)I have three 120 backs. They all came from different sources.
One came with the camera, One I bought on eBay from a reputable seller and one I bought directly from ARAX who has always been a good source for these cameras, (K60 & 88CM). All the film backs have good film spacing and work mechanically just fine.
I put a piece of gaffers tape over the dark slide slot on all 3 backs and shot another film roll with them. No more light leaks on any of them. (Problem fixed kind of) . So lesson learned, Always put tape over your dark slide slot before going out with camera.

pentaxuser · Apr 27, 2025

I am not familiar with cameras using darkslides but what happens when you wish to change films half way through one roll and change from colour to b&w so you have to place the darkslide into the film back before removing it? With a Kiev will light instantly leak into the film back you have just removed and what about the new film back which has a darkslide in it to protect its film, does that then leak light as well

As I say I may have misunderstood how interchangeable film back work but it sounds like a Kiev camera with interchangeable backs then becomes no better than say a P645 which doesn't have the interchangeable backs facility

Thanks

pentaxuser

neilt3 · Apr 27, 2025

I have a Kiev 88 I bought about twenty years ago , it was made in the 80's .
I also have several backs for it also made in the 80's .
Unsurprisingly they all needed there light seals changing .
A simple job to do with readily available light seal kits , sold for the Hasselblad backs that the Kiev was based on .
No need for duct tape .

neilt3 · Apr 27, 2025

pentaxuser said:
I am not familiar with cameras using darkslides but what happens when you wish to change films half way through one roll and change from colour to b&w so you have to place the darkslide into the film back before removing it? With a Kiev will light instantly leak into the film back you have just removed and what about the new film back which has a darkslide in it to protect its film, does that then leak light as well

As I say I may have misunderstood how interchangeable film back work but it sounds like a Kiev camera with interchangeable backs then becomes no better than say a P645 which doesn't have the interchangeable backs facility

Thanks

pentaxuser

The dark slide needs to be inserted to remove the backs when changing .
Having tape over the slots makes this difficult.
The seals just need replacing.
Used and NOS backs that were made 40 or 50 years ago often need a service , particularly the light seals .
35mm SLRs and other photographic equipment also need a bit of service work .
I was in much better condition 40 years ago myself. Most of my old cameras are in better working order than me .

OAPOli · Apr 27, 2025

Yes the light seals are not too hard to change. Same kit and procedure as Hasselblad. You can also make your own seals but you'll need a thin Mylar sheet.

Harry Callahan · Apr 27, 2025

The problem probably is that the light seal is pressed by a slim piece of foam to close the slot where the dark slide goes in. If the foam is deteriorated, it no longer can press the slim metal (or plastic?) foil to close the slot.
The older the magazine is, the more likely it is to leak light. But i had some which were tight, so it`s not every magazine.

Mr Flibble · Apr 28, 2025

I've also generally had leaks from inserting and removing the dark slide on the magazines on my Kiev-88. The seal was still good once the slide is out.
This was not so much an issue as I mainly only shoot one type of film anyway, and left the slide out until the film was fully exposed.

So my SOP is:
Place the magazine -> Remove slide -> tape over gap -> finish film -> remove tape -> replace dark slide.

Sirius Glass · Apr 28, 2025

I always assuming that any used film back I buy will need the light seals replaced.

xya · Apr 28, 2025

Mr Flibble said:
...So my SOP is:
Place the magazine -> Remove slide -> tape over gap -> finish film -> remove tape -> replace dark slide.

That's what I do as well. No further problems so far...

AERO · Apr 28, 2025

Had Zenith 80 (Hasselbladski) since 1969 with 2 80 backs and 2 Hassel backs no trouble im the past but..have not used them for some time (3 years) so will need to check Chapest way I think might be square of enlarging paper inserted in a back and left out in bright light without darkslide for 15 mins...???

Harry Callahan · Apr 28, 2025

Take off the lens, open the shutter, look inside the camera and use a strong torch around the joint of mag and body. As the pressure plate of the magazine is dark it can help to put a piece of white paper onto the pressure plate/into the magazine to better see leaks, but you don`t necessarily need film to test for leaks.
The room you`re testing in should be darker to better see the light of the torch inside the camera.

Marcelo Paniagua · Apr 28, 2025

I got 6 or so film backs for My kievs. All of them needed seal replacement at one time or another. Im not that Tech savy but replacing was not very hard. Used think sheets of black craft foam I got from Michaels. No issues after replacing them.

mshchem · Apr 28, 2025

Cast them into the nearest lake

mshchem · Apr 28, 2025

BTW, all of my old Hasselblad backs have required the seal to be replaced. The foam turns to dust behind the tape seal.

Dr. no · Apr 30, 2025

This is a Kiev/Hasselblad maintenance issue, common to the design and with several sources of replacement. I just ordered three seals from Blackbird, because some of my backs have mangled Mylar. If all you need is foam, you can find or cut thin (1mm or so) strips and replace it alone.
Some of the newer "NT" backs I have disassembled have only the Mylar, maybe it's a thicker piece, with tiny foam bits only at the ends for the Mylar strip. I install new foam in those, because they work better.

Cast them into the nearest lake

And note that we FSU-camera shooters are using repair/maintenance kits for cameras from the Swedish mecca. These are soft parts intended to be replaced at decade-level intervals.

And for testing, I use a flashlight shining in the dark slide slot, with the slide out, the insert in, and look through the film side. Use your thumb along the edge so the flashlight is not just shining in your eyes!

Ok I've come to the conclusion all Kiev 88 120 film backs have light leaks where the dark slides go in (light seals)

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