Rolleicord light leak ?

Ste_S · Feb 15, 2018

Couple of test rolls through a Rolleicord III and it appears I have an intermittent light leak. Can't see anything obvious on the back cover, and most of the time it's living in the leather ever ready case

And an image without the leak

Thoughts ? Any idea where I should be looking ?

Sirius Glass · Feb 15, 2018

It looks like the roll of film was not rolled tight enough and the light leaked into the roll.

Ste_S · Feb 15, 2018

Sirius Glass said:
It looks like the roll of film was not rolled tight enough and the light leaked into the roll.

Hadn't thought of that, although the rolls didn't feel noticeably loose when taking them out of camera and sealing up.

Having said that -

The light leak is more noticeable on the first roll through the camera - 7 out of 12 shots, rather than 1 out of 12 on the second roll. On the second roll the leak occurs on frame 11, frame 12 is fine.
The first roll wound on to an old spool (Made in England printed on it !) that was in the camera
The wind on nob doesn't always turn after pressing the centre button and take a bit of cajoling
Have since read the back pressure plate is adjustable (for use with the Rolleikin), and not entirely sure its set on the right setting. Have a film in so can't check at the moment

shutterfinger · Feb 15, 2018

Hinge light seal is the first to go be it wear on the hinge pin or the back being pressed further than it was designed to go with the back lock a close second.
Check for play when open and closed, bent or deformed lip where the back meets the body.

MattKing · Feb 15, 2018

The leak is toward the top of the camera, because it shows toward the bottom of the image.

Dan Daniel · Feb 15, 2018

Put the film in the camera as it was shot, but pay attention to the top and bottom film chambers, not just where the film sits when exposed. Looks to me as if the leak is happening outside of film gate itself.

Check each spool knob- three screws? Focus hood- four screws? Bottom front of cmera- center pin? Look for any ,issing screws that could be letting light in.

shutterfinger · Feb 15, 2018

Dan Daniel said:
Put the film in the camera as it was shot, but pay attention to the top and bottom film chambers, not just where the film sits when exposed

I had, repeat had a light leak in a Graflex 22 RFH for my 2x3 Series B at the center of the bottom of an image intermittently. Placing the strips of film in the holder showed the leak at either the back hinge, lock, or center of the pressure plate. I added a strip of velvet along the hinge lip and lock lip, test film drying with no light leaks.

Ste_S · Feb 16, 2018

So all screws look present and correct. However one screw may be loose, which I can't tighten any further.

Looking at the back of the camera, the bracket at the top left that holds the back hinge in place has a screw that's standing proud and won't tighten further. Without it tightened it allows play in the back.
Is this intentional though to allow the back to be removed ?

Edit - It appears as though it is intentional, and the manual calls it the 'spring hinge for back'
The other screw on that hinge was slightly loose and I've tightened it up. I've also put electrical tape around the top and top sides of the back door. No play at all now when the door is shut when there was before.
There was also a slight chip inside of the back door showing the metal underneath which I've also taped over to stop any light bouncing it off.
The tripod socket on the base seemingly allows light into the camera body ? I guess the design takes care of this though ? I've taped over it inside just in case.

Basically, I've nuked it with electrical tape

btaylor · Feb 16, 2018

I still think a loosely rolled exposed roll may have done it. I had a very similar experience to yours with my Rolleicord V.

shutterfinger · Feb 16, 2018

A camera back should only open and close smoothly with no side play.
Felt glued where you put the tape or similar will be a better permanent repair as the tape will fail and leave a sticky residue behind.
Tape on the other hand is a quick simple way to test if this is the source of the leak.

Ste_S · Feb 16, 2018

btaylor said:
I still think a loosely rolled exposed roll may have done it. I had a very similar experience to yours with my Rolleicord V.

How did you solve it ?

The film advance knob can be a bit sticky towards the end of the roll and it can take a bit of cajoling with pressing the button and turning the knob to advance to the next frame. The film does feel slightly looser when I take it out the camera compared to my Mamiya C330 or Zeiss Ikon Netter, but doesn't feel too loose

Dan Daniel · Feb 16, 2018

Wait, are you saying that there is light coming through the tripod area? If so, that's most likely the issue. Tape it over! It is possible to have a tripod screw that is long and goes through the inner cap of the tripod socket on Rolleis.

Rolleicords should not need felt or such. The design is light tight if all is straight and sealing properly. When you close the back, it should 'snap' closed before you pull the latch back tight.

Be very methodical in how you tape the outside, etc. Light leaks are a real pain to track down sometimes. That's why you need to put the developed film in the camera- it will show you where the leak is.

When you open the back, you can rotate the film using the wind knob until the end flap is exposed. Pull it up a bit, hold tight, and wind the film using the wind knob a bit tighter. Then remove it. When loading I will usually put light pressure on the film while I wind to keep it tight (a loose beginning is a common cause of loose spooling).

shutterfinger · Feb 16, 2018

You can download a Rolleiflex service manual here: http://www.kyphoto.com/classics/repairmanuals.html
It starts with the Rolleicord VA. Other models will be similar in build. Some cameras you increase tension of a spring or springs on the film spool mounts, others use a clutch system. Sounds like your camera uses a clutch and its slipping a little.

Ste_S · Feb 16, 2018

Dan Daniel said:
Wait, are you saying that there is light coming through the tripod area?

There's nothing to stop light entering the camera from the tripod socket. The tripod socket is in the door assembly, I kind of figured the design of the camera stopped light hitting the film from there ? Or is there something missing that covers the tripod socket ? Anyhoo it's taped now on the inside of the door.

Also appreciated tips about making sure the roll is tight on loading and removing

shutterfinger · Feb 16, 2018

Dan Daniel said:
Rolleicords should not need felt or such. The design is light tight if all is straight and sealing properly

I've been working on similar build quality cameras that are 70 to 100 years old. How they were handled, stored, and used determines how much aid they need. Some are just plain worn out and not worth the repair effort.
A 65+ year old camera will frequently need an assist to stay light tight or function properly.
If you can source some black velvet it will be far better than felt or tape.

LeeUK · Feb 17, 2018

Dan Daniel said:
Rolleicords should not need felt or such. The design is light tight if all is straight and sealing properly. When you close the back, it should 'snap' closed before you pull the latch back tight..

My Rolleicord Vb had a factory fitted wool yarn at both the top and bottom of the door. I've had to replace both as they were worn at the ends.

Ferdi · Feb 17, 2018

Is the 'film brake' present and working properly? It is in the film chamber, the one where you put the new unexposed film. When you insert a new film, you press the spool against the 'film brake'. Loose brakes are replaced when the cameras are serviced. When pulling the backing paper you should feel enough resistance. It keeps the film nice and tightly wound on both spools.

I believe you can forget about leaks from the tripod socket. The leak, if there is one, is at the top end of the camera. The Rolleicord was properly designed and built to a very high standard. It has no light seals at all. My Rolleicord III has no yarn in it. All you can do is look for missing parts, loose parts or bent parts. Using tape on the outside can help finding a leak, but apply it to one part of the camera at the time.Taping it all up may solve the problem but then you still do not know where the leak is. Any way, I would focus on the possibility of loosely wound film first.
/Ferdi.

Ste_S · Feb 17, 2018

Ferdi said:
Is the 'film brake' present and working properly? It is in the film chamber, the one where you put the new unexposed film. When you insert a new film, you press the spool against the 'film brake'. When pulling the backing paper you should feel enough resistance. It keeps the film nice and tightly wound on both spools. I believe you can forget about leaks from the tripod socket. The leak, if there is one, is at the top end of the camera. /Ferdi.

Thanks. Yup, brake is present. I've tried lightly bending it to increase pressure on the film as there wasn't very much resistance when loading film before. Certainly compared to my zeiss folder anyway

subsole · Feb 17, 2018

My Rolleicord Vb was leaking because one of those little metal feet was missing.

Cheers
Wolfgang

btaylor · Feb 18, 2018

I solved my loose roll light strike by bending the brake mentioned and making sure the backing paper was well tensioned before I closed the back. Wolfgang's comment is worth noting as well, I have heard of missing feet on the base causing light leaks before.

Rolleicord light leak ?

Moderator

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency