Please help me understand where this light flare is coming from? Using Nikon F1 and Nikkor 28mm lens

Camerarabbit · May 16, 2024

First pic is the cam I’m using

Second and third photo show the flare on the upper right-hand side of the photo - one image is a screenshot of a contact scan, you can see that the photo to the right has similar lighting conditions yet doesnt have the flare

Fourth photo is a shot that I took INTO the sun yet it doesnt exhibit this flare

I usually get this effect on 1-2 photos on a roll. In photo #2 and #3 I was backlit or the sun was coming from my right….maybe there’s a bright surface that’s creating the flare?

koraks · May 16, 2024

Also, what's this:

Anyway, our flare problem looks like an in-camera light leak, really. Maybe something related to the back.

Camerarabbit · May 16, 2024

It's the sheet holding the negative folded over so I could fit it in the scanner

Camerarabbit · May 16, 2024

I have another (broken) F1...I'll try swapping out the back and seeing what happens

koraks · May 16, 2024

CameronRabbit said:
It's the sheet holding the negative folded over so I could fit it in the scanner

Ahhh, makes sense, thanks!

Yeah, see if that makes any difference. I could also imagine the removable prism and the seams related to that playing a role. But I'm not familiar enough with the F1 to say anything sensible about it.

Camerarabbit · May 16, 2024

koraks said:
Ahhh, makes sense, thanks!

Yeah, see if that makes any difference. I could also imagine the removable prism and the seams related to that playing a role. But I'm not familiar enough with the F1 to say anything sensible about it.

Camerarabbit · May 16, 2024

I am using nikon's waistlevel viewfinder...maybe some light is leaking through it indeeed. Thanks for your input !

jimjm · May 16, 2024

Shouldn't be a problem with the waistlevel finder. Unless the mirror foam is deteriorated or missing, it should seal the finder view off from the mirror box (and film) when the mirror flips up during exposure.
It appears to likely be caused by the back not sealing fully against the body, on the lower left side.
The back on the Nikon F does not use any foam seals, so look for any dented or damaged metal where the back and body meet together.

Camerarabbit · May 16, 2024

jimjm said:
Shouldn't be a problem with the waistlevel finder. Unless the mirror foam is deteriorated or missing, it should seal the finder view off from the mirror box (and film) when the mirror flips up during exposure.
It appears to likely be caused by the back not sealing fully against the body, on the lower left side.
The back on the Nikon F does not use any foam seals, so look for any dented or damaged metal where the back and body meet together.

Awesome, thank you!

Don_ih · May 16, 2024

The light is not reaching the sprocket holes. Normally, when there's a leak in the back, the film gets hit when it's on the take-up spool. This doesn't look like that. It's a very rectangular outline, which makes the back a less likely source. I think it is cause by the wlf and the mirror is not completely sealing when it goes up. I'd examine that area.

Pieter12 · May 16, 2024

What's an F1?

koraks · May 16, 2024

Pieter12 said:
What's an F1?

"Nikon F1"; see thread title.

Pieter12 · May 16, 2024

koraks said:
View attachment 370561
"Nikon F1"; see thread title.

OK, what's a Nikon F1? I know what a Canon F1 is.

koraks · May 16, 2024

Pieter12 said:
OK, what's a Nikon F1?

Let's assume it's the Nikon F, since that's what's depicted, and as it's the predecessor to the F2, it seems plausible someone might refer to it as F1, even if this is technically incorrect. OK now?

Don_ih · May 16, 2024

Well, gee. Since Canon had the first F1, maybe this is actually the F0.....

Pieter12 · May 16, 2024

koraks said:
Let's assume it's the Nikon F, since that's what's depicted, and as it's the predecessor to the F2, it seems plausible someone might refer to it as F1, even if this is technically incorrect. OK now?

OK. I thought it might be a Nikon I was not aware of. There have been many Nikon F designations after all--plus the Nikon 1 cameras. So a bit of clarity helps.

bdial · May 16, 2024

I wonder if it could be from the waist level finder. Do you have a prism finder to make a comparison test?
Another thought, are there any shiny places in the mirror box?

FWIW, yes, that camera's model designation was simply "Nikon F". I don't think they realized at the time that they'd be building 2 through 6 F series cameras.

Kino · May 16, 2024

Take the camera into a dark room (unloaded of course), put the shutter on "B" and fire the camera, holding down on the shutter release or locking it ope with a cable release.

Now open your waist level viewfinder and shine a bright flashlight down into the VF from the top while looking inside the mirror box. You may have to rotate it around the top of the VF to simulate the moving sun.

You should be able to see any light leaks IF it is the VF.

Camerarabbit · May 18, 2024

Kino said:
Take the camera into a dark room (unloaded of course), put the shutter on "B" and fire the camera, holding down on the shutter release or locking it ope with a cable release.

Now open your waist level viewfinder and shine a bright flashlight down into the VF from the top while looking inside the mirror box. You may have to rotate it around the top of the VF to simulate the moving sun.

You should be able to see any light leaks IF it is the VF.

Brilliant, thank you!

Please help me understand where this light flare is coming from? Using Nikon F1 and Nikkor 28mm lens

Camerarabbit

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Please help me understand where this light flare is coming from? Using Nikon F1 and Nikkor 28mm lens

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