where's the light leak coming from?

jordanstarr · Aug 15, 2007

at the same time i bought my 139q contax camera i bought a ton of cartridges and bulk loads of film. when i develop my negatives, the edges are black and sometimes a streak of light goes into the frame. this ruins about 4 frames per roll of film, but although most of the time it's not on any photos i blow up, there is the odd time i get a "once in a lifetime picture" that is messed up because of this.

i replaced all the light seals when i got the camera. the previous owner said nothing about light leak problems or any other problems. however, i've never known canisters to leak light, especially around the edges. they're ilford (pan f50 and 125 replicas) and are pretty much brand new so i don't see how this could be the issue. maybe i messed up the seals? maybe there's a possibility of light leaking without the seals? anyone have any ideas? i know it can't be my developing tank as my 120 film turns out perfect everytime (well...almost).

clogz · Aug 15, 2007

If the camera door has a film window...make sure that doesn't leak light. Happened to my ,then new, F80/N80 on a very bright sunny day. The light seal just was not good enough. Also check your bulk film loader.

Hans

jovo · Aug 15, 2007

jordanstarr said:
i've never known canisters to leak light, especially around the edges. they're ilford (pan f50 and 125 replicas) and are pretty much brand new so i don't see how this could be the issue.

Running several store-bought rolls of film through the camera should settle the matter of cannister or camera.

jordanstarr · Aug 15, 2007

jovo said:
Running several store-bought rolls of film through the camera should settle the matter of cannister or camera.

wow...don't i feel dumb. that's an obvious answer. i guess is was in a "how do i figure this out without spending any money?" mode.

AgX · Aug 16, 2007

If you neither want to spent money on off-the-shelf 135 film nor want to spoil exposures, then just bulk-load some of your reusable/reused canisters, treat the canisters as usual (pull tongue into the cannister, expose it to light etc. just without loading the camera.)
Do a second trial of the same type but load the cannisters by hand, without the loader.
Process the unexposed films.
The outcome should show: camera, cannister, or loader.

jordanstarr · Aug 20, 2007

ok...shot a roll with another camera, no leaks so it must be the camera....

now my next question would be, why the hell is it leaking light when i replaced the seals the first day i had it? and why is it getting worse? when i first had it, it was just the edges, so i didn't bother...now it's going right up into the frames.

Brac · Aug 20, 2007

I think you still need to try a roll of film bought in a store to be absolutely sure. Then if the problem is still there you need to revisit the light seals. Did you get the thickness right? Did you do the grooves the edges of the back door fits into, as well as the seals on the door, and end of camera (if required)? Did you replace the mirror bumper foam as to some degree that acts as a light seal too? Did you use quality materials designed for the job (such as from Intersplice/John Goodman) - there is some rubbish out there from some sources. If none of that is the solution, then is the back door loose? If the seals are fitted correctly, it should fit quite tightly. After that I'm flummoxed and suggest you take it to a camera repairer! These are high quality cameras so it would be a shame to abandon it.

erikg · Aug 20, 2007

Fog at the film edges does sound light a light seal problem, although the streak across the image could also suggest a shutter issue, but I doubt it. Sounds more like a leak at a vertical seam like at the door. I would try another test taping up all of the seams on the back this time, being sure to take the camera outside. The seeming randomess can come about from a combination of the light the camera is in and how long the film is sitting in a certain spot between exposures. Take a bunch of shots quickly in a dark place: little or no fog, if you follow. That should narrow it down.

dgillette4 · Aug 20, 2007

I believe I would use black tape on outside of all seams and take it out-doors and shoot a roll of 400 speed film in bright sun this will tell if it's the seals. If it it's still there I would suspect the shutter..Good luck, Don

Neal · Aug 21, 2007

Dear Jordan,

I have found that replacing the seals myself has been hit AND miss. It's always an improvement, but I usually have to fix one of the seals. You can test your work without blowing an entire roll. Cut off a short length of film that will fit between the rolls (I don't know if your 139 is like my RTS, but I have to make sure the sprocket is locked), take a photo, then leave it in a bright area. Develop the film and put it back in the camera (remember the image will be upside down) to see where the leak is.

Neal Wydra

where's the light leak coming from?

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