What do you think happened in these photos?

PGraham3 · May 22, 2019

I picked up a Fujica ST801 some time ago with a 55/1.8 EBC Fujinon lens + Skylight 1A Filter, and recently put a new roll of Fuji Superia X-TRA 400 through it. The camera lens is clean. It was a pretty sunny day, and this 400 film was probably not the best choice for the occasion as I got shots with more than half the image overexposed.
The camera lens is clear, but the shutter has not been gauged, and I do have a hunch that the 1/2000 is not quite up to speed. The overexposed parts also appear similar spots, which could indicate a light leak. Thus, as this happened several times throughout the roll, by the looks of these pictures could this be a film issue, camera vibration as there is no mirror padding, shutter issue, light leak, or simple overexposure, etc?

Any observations will be helpful. Thanks!
-Paul

I recall the first and second photos were taken at f5.6 1/2000.

Naples · May 22, 2019

The band of light repeating in the same area would indicate to me a light leak or other mechanical failure.

StepheKoontz · May 22, 2019

Is this a vertical shutter? If so this looks like shutter banding, which is more likely at high speeds.

Theo Sulphate · May 22, 2019

Could we see the negative? If it's a light leak, you'll see exposure outside the frame area

Sirius Glass · May 22, 2019

Camera malfunction. ISO 400 film should have been able to hand the scenes if and only if the light meter and shutter were working properly.

Chan Tran · May 22, 2019

It's light leak rather than shutter malfunction. If the shutter malfunction and expose one part of the film more than other then you would have overexposure but this is not. It's simply fog and not too much exposure.

MattKing · May 22, 2019

This camera appears to use a horizontal cloth shutter, so unless there are holes in a shutter curtain, this doesn't look like a shutter problem.
Dare I ask if the light parts are visible in the negative? This could be a scanning problem.
Otherwise I'd look for a light leak or some source of flare or reflection in the camera or at the lens mount.

Eric Rose · May 22, 2019

Could also be a flare from something shiny inside the mirror box.

PGraham3 · May 22, 2019

@Theo Sulphate
I currently don’t have quick access to the negatives as they get stored at the developer’s shop in the middle of Seoul where I mail-in my film.
@Chan Tran
If it’s fog, wouldn’t it show up on most of the other photos as well? Most of the other photos came out well.
@StepheKoontz
This Fujica has a horizontal-run focal plane shutter. Can shutter banding still occur?
@MattKing
Sorry, no quick access to the negatives. Would you suggest a rescan to developer to see if that was the issue?
Also, camera almost doesn’t have any light seals remaining as it has been corroded.

All in all, I’d say about only about 6-7 shots have this issue.

MattKing · May 22, 2019

PGraham3 said:
@MattKing
Sorry, no quick access to the negatives. Would you suggest a rescan to developer to see if that was the issue?
Also, camera almost doesn’t have any light seals remaining as it has been corroded.

Without access to the negatives, anything we say here would be nothing more than a wild guess.
So many of these sorts of problems arise at, or are contributed to by, the scanning stage.

Chan Tran · May 22, 2019

If the light seal is bad it's fogged but only when your're in bright sun. I have similar problem with my XD-11 and replacing the foam fixed the problem.

PGraham3 · May 22, 2019

@Chan Tran
Yeah, I'm thinking it's a light seal problem.

@MattKing
I've requested to see my negatives from the developer, and to see if a re-scan is necessary. So just awaiting that.

PGraham3 · May 23, 2019

My developer replied and said that it is not a scanning problem as these overexposed parts appear on the negative as well. He mentioned that is appears to be a camera body problem, such as worn out light seals or maybe even something called "diffused reflection". He sent me a link in Korean as a reference (http://www.slrclub.com/bbs/vx2.php?id=film_forum&no=96823). If a reflection problem, he mentioned that it can be reduced by using a lens hood, etc.

My hunch is that it's a light seal issue. However, what do you all think? Diffused reflection?

-Paul

MattKing · May 23, 2019

Diffused reflection is probably just flare from light sources outside of the image area that reaches the surface of the lens - and a lens hood is an excellent solution, as is careful attention to the position and direction of the camera.
But light seals are certainly a potential source as well.
By the way, that is an excellent response from a photo lab.

PGraham3 · May 23, 2019

@MattKing
Yeah, the photo lab (FOTOMARU) that I used is great. Super kind guys and gals, and they are very fast.
http://fotomaru.com/index_en.php

-Paul

Theo Sulphate · May 23, 2019

PGraham3 said:
I currently don’t have quick access to the negatives as they get stored at the developer’s shop in the middle of Seoul where I mail-in my film.
...

What is the rationale for the lab keeping negatives? People can learn so much from examining the negatives. The negatives are the photo; the print is far less important.

PGraham3 · May 23, 2019

@Theo Sulphate
Seoul is a huge city, and this particular photo lab is in the middle of the city. They hold up to 70 rolls of negatives for me until I can actually cruise by and get them. It's a very convenient service.
-Paul

mshchem · May 23, 2019

PGraham3 said:
@Theo Sulphate
Seoul is a huge city, and this particular photo lab is in the middle of the city. They hold up to 70 rolls of negatives for me until I can actually cruise by and get them. It's a very convenient service.
-Paul

That's pretty nice service!

There's several people on Ebay that sell seals. I bought a pre cut kit for a camera from a nice fellow in Germany. There was enough material I fixed a couple cameras, still have some. If I can do it anyone can do it

Theo Sulphate · May 23, 2019

PGraham3 said:
@Theo Sulphate
Seoul is a huge city, and this particular photo lab is in the middle of the city. They hold up to 70 rolls of negatives for me until I can actually cruise by and get them. It's a very convenient service.
-Paul

So they're not mailing you prints? I assume they're not, otherwise they'd mail the negatives as well. They provide the "prints" online?

They must have a lot of storage space to hold up to 70 rolls for all their customers.

StepheKoontz · May 23, 2019

If the shutter is horizontal, this isn't shutter banding.

StepheKoontz · May 23, 2019

PGraham3 said:
Diffused reflection?

Some cameras have a problem with reflective surfaces inside the mirror box, the Kiev K60 is one. That's probably what he is referring to.

What do you think happened in these photos?

PGraham3

Naples

StepheKoontz

Theo Sulphate

Sirius Glass

Chan Tran

MattKing

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Eric Rose

PGraham3

MattKing

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Chan Tran

PGraham3

PGraham3

MattKing

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PGraham3

Theo Sulphate

PGraham3

mshchem

Theo Sulphate

StepheKoontz

StepheKoontz

What do you think happened in these photos?

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