[praktica LB2] Black bar on left side of frame - light leaks?

I have a Praktica LB2 (35mm camera) I got for my birthday. I've noticed that on several frames, there is a black bar on the left side, always in the same location. It goes beyond the frame and onto the area of the sprockets. I've checked the interior of the camera with a flash light and have not detected any visible light leaks. I don't think its the shutter curtains because they are in a different orientation than the bar. The frequency at which these bars occur appears to be random. I have one roll with few or no bars at all. I don't know what could be causing them. My two primary lenses (Domiplan 2.8/50mm, Hanimex 35mm) appear to be functioning properly, in regard to the aperture blades.

As you can see in one of the attached photos of two nearly identical shots (frame 6 and 7), the bar shows up on one frame but not the other. I could upload photos of my camera if anyone thinks that would be helpful in diagnosing the situation.

I don't think it is my film choice either (in this case, i used Kentmere 400 film) but they have also shown up on rolls of Ilford HP5+ film.

I would bet on a light leak at the door hinge. A little foam replacement should fix it.

Looks like a small light leak. If the camera uses light seals, I would replace them. Light leaks can seem intermittent because they are cumulative. If the film sits unmoving for a long period a leak can accumulate in one spot but other frames may not show it because they were advanced before the leak could affect the film in that spot.

Those are excellent suggestions. There is a bit of worn-out looking foam at the hinge and the other side where the back closes, but no foam along the length of the back or on the camera. I will replace the foam areas and might even add some. Thanks for the quick and helpful advice

Yup! The leak is on the right side of the camera when you are looking at the back.

Welcome to APUG!

Steve

hah, you even know what side its on! I think a few layers of duct tape will do the job fine, for now. thanks!