Source for light trap strips?

B&Jdude · Nov 4, 2008

Often the light trap strips that fill the narrow slot (into which the camera back fits when closed) on the back of 35mm cameras has gotten old, squishy, and sticky and gets pulled out of the camera when the back is opened. I have been trying to find a source for replacement light trap strips with no luck and hope someone here might have suggestions.

Also, do I just scrape the old strip remnants out with a dental probe or a very small jeweler's screwdriver? Are the replacements merely pressed into the slot, or is some type of glue used to hold them in place? :confused:

EuGene

Denis P. · Nov 4, 2008

Check out the seller "interslice" on eboy. That's Jon Goodman (he might even be a member here, I think).
He sells complete seal replacement kits for a very reasonable price. You won't get anything better than his kits.
The kits come with printed instructions, and many more of his instructions for various kinds of cameras can be found online, i.e. HERE.
I'm not in any way connected with him, and have no interest in promoting him, except the fact that I'm a very satisfied customer.

Mike Wilde · Nov 4, 2008

diy - contact cement and mouse pad

mouse pad foam sacrifice, slice with new x-acto blades, stuck in place with pliobond (found in craft shops). Use lighter fluid on toothpicks, or q-tips to dissolve away the old gunk. The 'lips' of old 35mm film cassettes on some brands can be pulled off and used as light seals in places as well.

eli griggs · Nov 4, 2008

interslice kits are very good but you can use yarn for narrow traps according to some sources. I prefer interslice material, having repaired several cameras so far, but for a stop-gap (very appropriate term, no?) solution, the yarn will do until your kit arrives.

Cheers

Lee L · Nov 4, 2008

I use wooden toothpicks for glue removal because it's gentler on the metal. I have also wetted yarn in Goo-Be-Gone or similar solvents to lay in the groove and "soak" the glue for easier removal. Don't overdo it.

Yarn as a replacement for foam doesn't deteriorate, but isn't as well suited as the foam for the wider flatter pieces, film window surrounds, etc. I was able to get full sets of new foam within the last two years for my 1970's Leica R bodies, direct from Leica repair for about $11, pre-cut and ready to lay in place myself. (Wonder if they'll have it in 2035 when I need it again.) Hopefully other brands would do as well if you contacted their repair centers.

I've also only seen good things about Interslice.

Lee

bsdunek · Nov 4, 2008

I get mine from Micro-Tools Dead Link Removed They have all the materials and tools needed for camera restoration. It's the right stuff, not substitute. Always worked well for me.

elekm · Nov 4, 2008

I've been using a product called Foamies (2mm), which includes a self-adhesive, and can be purchased at most fabric or craft stores.

Jon Goodman's kits get very good comments.

Andy K · Nov 4, 2008

Another recommendation for the Interslice (John Goodman) kit from me. I Have used his kits for several cameras with excellent results.

kodachrome64 · Nov 4, 2008

Another satisfied customer of Jon Goodman's. You get everything you need except the lighter fluid to dissolve the old foam. He even includes a bamboo tool to remove the old seals. And with the amount he gives you, you can start your own seal replacing business. There are several types of foam and he will email you instructions on how to replace the seals on your camera (if he has it available). The kit came with basic instructions and he also sent me a PDF with detailed instructions on how to refoam my RB67. Top notch and cheap!

Nick

B&Jdude · Nov 4, 2008

Thanks, folks for all the info . . . it looks like Goodman's kits win hands down, so I'll have to go check 'em out.

Bruce, I did look over the Micro-Tools stuff (and bought some shutter cloth for another project), but though they had the flocking cloth, they didn't have the foam that I was looking for to put in the narrow light trap grooves.

By the way, the cameras that I will be working on are a gaggle of Minolta SRT's and a couple of Mamiya M645's.

EuGene

NormanV · Nov 4, 2008

Everyone seems to like Jon Goodman's kits. I bought one and was very impressed by his follow up. Buy one!

frdrx · Nov 4, 2008

I can definitely recommend the light seal material from Jon Goodman (interslice). The stuff he provides is excellent, as is the information he offers.

Polybun · Nov 8, 2008

I always just use black wool yarn. I attatch it in the groove with a few drops here and there of 3m trim adhesive, it stays soft and rubbery forerver, and wool will never turn into a gooey mess! The yarn itself is too thick, but I unwind it into its individual cords and lay those in the groove. The only time you have to be carefull is around the frame counter actuator.

This isn't really as much of a stretch as you may think. Look at any camera from the 30's that had such seals. They all used black wool, and guess what? 80 years on, they still don't need to be replaced!

I've been messing about with replacing all the foam in cameras with anything that ISN'T foam. I'm only 30 years old, I presume i'm going to be using these cameras 20 years from now, hopefully longer, and i'll be damned if I'm going to fix a problem more than once if i don't have too! Rather than use foam on the door hinge seal I use thin suede leather. This has worked on every 35mm camera i have done it too, as well as the 6x7 film backs for my Mamiya press.

titrisol · Nov 10, 2008

Jon Goodman has also posted the instructions in KYPhoto.

One of his kits lasts for a few cameras (5 or 8)

B&Jdude said:
Thanks, folks for all the info . . . it looks like Goodman's kits win hands down, so I'll have to go check 'em out.

Bruce, I did look over the Micro-Tools stuff (and bought some shutter cloth for another project), but though they had the flocking cloth, they didn't have the foam that I was looking for to put in the narrow light trap grooves.

By the way, the cameras that I will be working on are a gaggle of Minolta SRT's and a couple of Mamiya M645's.

EuGene

Source for light trap strips?

Polybun

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