Zeiss Ikonta 520--Light Leak Sometimes

wjlapier · Feb 27, 2019

Help me investigate why this camera will have a light leak at times and not at others. Yesterday I took a new to me Zeiss Ikonta 520 out to test. Test to make sure the camera was working OK, that the bellows were in fact light tight as advertised, and that the the lens ( 75mm f/4.5 Tessar ) was in fact good or great.

First and last image didn't have the light leak but for some reason several images in the middle did. In the same exact spot on all images affected. There is a sharp edge on one side as you can see in one photo, but it is in several others. Not all images from this roll have the light leak. What do you think is causing this to happen? I thought the red window but I would imagine all images would be affected. I thought fat rolled ( it was slightly ) but then I wouldn't think the light leak would be in the exact same spot on some images and not others.

bunip · Feb 27, 2019

it looks to me a bellows problem. I'd recheck the lower part 1-2 cm from the place it's attached to the body.

wjlapier · Feb 27, 2019

Hard to tell if it's not attached without pulling away from the body and maybe actually making it not attached. I'll try another roll and see what happens.

bunip · Feb 27, 2019

I'm sorry, I noticed it's a 6x4,5. so the best way should be to open the camera, looking at the negative in the same position it should be inside, you can tape a strip of adehesive tape along the sharp edge of the light leak you can see in pictures and look for the leak in a place you can see over the tape line. bellows has 2-3 layers. leather, fabric (in corners) and thick paper. in a darkroom with a flashgun you should be able to find it. Another roll will tell the same as this one.

bunip · Feb 27, 2019

the sharp line is because one part of the frame is obscured by the edge of the bellow's fold nearer to the film plane

bunip · Feb 27, 2019

I'm sure it is very hard to detach a bellow from the metal frame without any instrument. you can pull the bellow to flatten it and inspect from inside. if the bellows detaches it's because it is already detached.

wjlapier · Feb 28, 2019

If I could replace the bellows ( if that is indeed where the leak is ) I would keep the camera. I checked over and over ansd can't see a pin hole or tear in the bellows. I'm returning it.

bunip · Feb 28, 2019

I’m sorry it didn’t help. replacing ikonta’s bellows isn’t simple as for agfas or voigtlanders. it require skills and dedicated instruments. that lens is one of the best in similar price folding cameras.

Marco Gilardetti · Mar 1, 2019

Since the light leaks are clearly red in colour, I ask myself what led to the conclusion that the light leak is in the bellows. I would rather think first to a leak in the rear red window that allows frame counting.

Peltigera · Mar 1, 2019

Marco Gilardetti said:
Since the light leaks are clearly red in colour, I ask myself what led to the conclusion that the light leak is in the bellows. I would rather think first to a leak in the rear red window that allows frame counting.

The red portion in the photograph has a very straight lower limit. The red window, being behind the film, would cause a general, ill-defined area of image damage. The straight lower limit of the red area in the photograph tells us two things. 1) the fault either has a straight edge or the light is coming past a straight edge and 2) that straight edge must be fairly close to the film.

Marco Gilardetti · Mar 1, 2019

Peltigera said:
1) the fault either has a straight edge or the light is coming past a straight edge

Which is what is usually called "pressure plate". Can we please see a picture of the camera back, and see if the pressure plate is well aligned and sits normally?

Dan Daniel · Mar 1, 2019

Well, sounds as if he camera is being returned. Probably makes sense- light leaks are a royal pain.

That leaks looks like it is happening in one of the spool areas, not from the bellows. The right spool area, looking from the back (I think Ikontas wind in both directions, depending on model). If you put the film in the camera as shot, but put the frame NEXT to the light leak frame in the opening, I bet the line matches the film gate mask.

As to what causes the actual leak, hard to say. Look for missing screws or rivets? Lose latch on the back? Something that is either sensitive to light direction, or to handling (hand pressure in certain circumstance, exposure to sun light while handling or simply walking, etc.?)

wjlapier · Mar 1, 2019

The camera was sent back. I don't seem to have very good luck with the smaller 6x4.5 folders.

Dan Daniel · Mar 2, 2019

wjlapier said:
The camera was sent back. I don't seem to have very good luck with the smaller 6x4.5 folders.

Well, if you can find one that works, they are fun cameras. I've had a couple of Voigtlander Baby Bessas- scale focusing. No problems with bellows on either one. A couple of Zeiss Super Ikontas. One was in great shape. The second one needed new bellows so I made my first (and probably last) set of bellows and it is now my standard knapsack snapshot camera. Worth keeping your eyes open for a good one. The pre-WWII uncoated Tessars especially have a great quality to the images. I've seen some with coated Tessars- red T- which would mean post war and so probably better condition all in all.

But yes, if you get a bad one, it's best to walk away.

Zeiss Ikonta 520--Light Leak Sometimes

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency