Strange marks on RZ67 negatives, light leaks?

[Guille_Ibanez]

Hello,

I just bought an RZ67 and was surprised to see these marks on the negatives. They appear in the exact same place on every frame, although they’re more noticeable on some negatives than others.

It looks like a light leak to me, but I’m not sure where it could be coming from — maybe the back? I’m still learning the camera, so I wanted to ask the experts here and gather your opinions.

This was shot on (a bit) expired Foma 100, since I’m currently using film I had left over from the last time I shot 120 (I’ve mostly been shooting large format lately). I’ve now loaded two more rolls into two separate backs to see if the issue is consistent, and I’ll update this thread once I get the results.

Thanks in advance!

Guille

 

[Sanug]

I would check the light seals of your film back.

 

[skahde]

Light-leak. I suppose it is probably some spot between the insert and the respective back as it seems to be close to the film-plane but I might be mistaken here as I never actually handled a RZ. And the area of the problem must be facing up on the camera as your picture inside the camera is upside down and the mark is on the lower left. Take your negative, view it from the emulsion-side, turn it upside down and you can locate the area of the problem on that back when you hold the negative upside down in front of the back, with the darkslide towards you.

 

[Ian C]

As you hold a negative strip viewed from the base side (as shown in the photo in Post #1), flip the negative vertically so that the emulsion side is facing you.

That will show you where the light is striking the film. It appears that unwanted the light strikes the film along the top edge near the right hand side.

You can apply black electrician’s tape over the corresponding area at the junction between the camera and film back and shoot a roll to determine if that’s where the leak occurs.

If the tape prevents the leak, then that’s where the stray light is entering.

 

[Guille_Ibanez]

Thanks for your replies! That’s exactly what I thought. I’ve ordered a couple of Film Back Light Seal Kits to replace the seals, as I realised one of the backs doesn’t have any seals at all, and on the other the seal has become gooey and awful — so it definitely seems like both need doing anyway.

@Ian C I’ll do the tape test, but do these light leaks happen while taking a picture, or can the film already be exposed when loading it? I’m only asking because I had already loaded both backs with film, although I haven’t taken any pictures with either of them yet.

Thanks so much — this really helps!

 

[Dan Daniel]

One thing to check with the developed film in the back is the space between the film opening and the feed or take up spool. Your frame 2 leak has a hard line on one side, which makes me think that the leak is happening on the film before or after the exposure area, not in the exposure area. Put that leak in the camera at the before and after exposure locations and you'll see the leak spot. Hard line probably a roller.

Replacing the seals should be the answer, but do give a look for any missing screws or such on the side of the leak.

 

[Ian C]

Yes, a bad light seal can allow light to enter the film chamber on a loaded back that is not attached to the camera. The light seals are located on the film backs—not on the camera.

However, if you only have a single back with the problem, it is most likely that the other backs don’t have the problem. So, the other loaded backs are most likely still light-tight.

Here is a video that shows the removal of old, deteriorated seals and their replacement.



The polyurethane foam seals are found on the original RZ67 backs. They are mounted on the inner unit called the cassette.

The newer RZ67 Pro II backs eliminated the foam seals in favor of “labyrinth” seals.