Zenit-E light leaks

ObsidianLycan · Nov 6, 2024

Hi

My beloved Zenit-E seems to have some light leaks. The lines appear to only be on the image, and not outside the frame in sprocket area. Only photos taken outside in the sun show these markings and they are also in different places between shots. Indoor photos are fine, with no lines!

Any idea what part of the camera is leaking to cause this? Any pointers would be appreciated!

Cheers

Janine

MattKing · Nov 6, 2024

As the lines are in the top of the frame, any leaks are either nearer the base of the camera, or reflecting off of a surface nearer the base of the camera.
And by the way, I see some spread of the leakage outside the frame on the last negative, plus the leakage does appear to me to be in essentially the same location on each negative where it appears.
If the leak is somewhere near the feed side of the image frame, the variability may be due to the fact that when you carry the camera places, it sometimes is in brighter, more directional ambient light, and sometimes it isn't.
You might try temporarily taping over the openings on the camera - say around the back door - to see if that solves the problem temporarily, and gives you clues as to the specific location of any leak.

Dustin McAmera · Nov 6, 2024

I wonder, if it was a tiny leak, at the bottom of the hinge of the back, maybe the flange of the uptake spool would be enough to shade the perforations?

Kino · Nov 6, 2024

FSU cameras tend to be prone to internal reflections. I would suggest you unscrew the lens, place the shutter on "B" and lock it off with a cable release. Then, take a flashlight and run it around inside the light box and look for reflective surfaces.

Since I have quite a number of FSU cameras, I went down to the local hobby/sewing store and found some very thin black velvet/felt-like material with a self adhesive backing to flock the interiors of the light boxes.

Try covering the obvious areas that are not in places where mechanisms move. Large expanses of flat areas tend to become mirrors in very bright light situations.

If you can't find a practical way to flock the interior with material, you can also try a matte black water-based paint and build-up several light coatings over the areas that might reflect. Just don't go crazy and lay it on thick, or it may flake-off and become a mess.

Dustin McAmera · Nov 6, 2024

I don't think those are reflections; and the camera wouldn't be beloved if it had always been doing this. I think it's a leak.

I don't have an 'E'. Looking at pictures of them at Flickr, I see one which has four screws in the base, and the tripod mount.
My Zenit (a Zenit 1) leaked when one of the screws in the front of the top housing was loose (turned out it was loose because it was shorter than it should be). I was not that impressed to find that there are several screws which sit in holes that go all the way from the outside world to the film chamber. The strap lugs are the same.
It might be worth checking those four screws in the base plate (especially the two on the uptake end). I don't know if the tripod mount can give you a leak. But my money would still be on the hinge.

Kino · Nov 6, 2024

Flocking an FSU camera never hurts.

koraks · Nov 7, 2024

ObsidianLycan said:
The lines appear to only be on the image, and not outside the frame in sprocket area.

This is a very important clue, which implies that the leak is NOT at the back of the camera. Light leaks around the back would always involve the sprocket hole margins as well.

MattKing said:
As the lines are in the top of the frame, any leaks are either nearer the base of the camera, or reflecting off of a surface nearer the base of the camera.

This is also pertinent.

MattKing said:
taping over the openings on the camera - say around the back door

Not around the back door; I don't think that's going to make a difference here.
I expect this problem to be at the front of the camera, but at the bottom alright.

Mr Flibble · Nov 7, 2024

White color of the leak means the light is hitting the film on the emulsion side.
All the leaks are within the image frame.

So it is likely something to do with either the curtains themselves or how they travel across the film plane when winding.
Could be there are pinholes, or light getting around the bottom light baffle inside the camera. , or the shutter is not properly capping when winding.

4season · Nov 7, 2024

I wonder if the bottom light baffle is missing entirely.

Niglyn · Nov 7, 2024

Hi, I have written many guides on finding light leaks on Zenit cameras, also how to change the prism foam, which must be done on ALL zenit cameras from B up to very later 122, else the foam WILL destroy the prism.
Go to facebook ^ join The Zenit Camera Club group. You will find all of my guides in the files section.
Also post there & I may be able to help further.

Zenit-E light leaks

ObsidianLycan

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