R5 trouble

[steveclem]

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Folks , my venerable R5 is having some sort of shutter trouble insofar as producing vertical black bands on each frame due to I don't know what.

So I need to get it sorted, any ideas what the problem is and how labour intensive it is?

What I'm trying to ascertain is how much it will cost to fix and will it be more than a replacement.

This was my first Leica and that,along with a 'cron 90 took all my Bronica and Nikon gear plus cash in exchange so a certain sentimentality is prevalent here.

Please, don't use this as an opportunity to tell me " I woz robbed".

[earleygallery]

Can you post an image to show us what you're talking about?

[steveclem]

My fault here,I only have prints, I need to go back home and sort this out. Secretly I was kind of hoping someone would go "Oh yeah, I know what that is".

[earleygallery]

Have you checked the negs? Do the black bands appear on the negs (as light bands)?

 

If yes that rules out a scanning issue. May not rule out a processing issue though.

 

It might be a faulty shutter, if the bands are horizontal, although I'd say that's unlikely. It would mean the shutter 'gap' is opening and closing very quickly as the shutter moves across the film gate, not something I've seen before.

 

Please post a photo of one of the prints - camera phone handy?

[steveclem]

James, I really appreciate your input, however I am unable to get the negs as I am away. Vertical black stripe on the prints, I'm pretty well un-prepared for this question admittedly, my fault. I'm sorry for faffing about here, I hoped the answer would be an easy one, I do appreciate the offer of help though.

[earleygallery]

Hi again,

 

Vertical bands sounds most unlikely to be anything to do with the shutter. I would suspect a processing or scanning fault, rather than the camera.

[xalo]

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Hi there,

 

If its on the entire roll, I'm afraid this sounds like a shutter problem to me, linked to the adjustment between both vertically traveling curtains. Not sure how difficult it is to adjust this on a shutter that's controlled electronically. (I have seen this on a Canon EF-M before where any service was not an option ) Seek out a good repair service and have it checked...

 

Alexander

[steveclem]

http://tinypic.com/r/sdhd36/6

 

http://tinypic.com/r/14wg96w/6

 

 

I had other films from other cameras processed with no problems. I also took a roll in B+W which also displayed these vertical bands,devolped at a different shop although the films may have been sent off to the same lab.

[xalo]

I wasn't awake this morning, you spoke about *vertical* streaks. As James said, it's not the shutter then.

Thanks for sharing the samples. I'll leave solid interpretation to the more competent, but I'd start with questioning the lab.

Alexander

[earleygallery]

It looks to be a light leak, either in the camera or during processing.

 

You say the same problem happened with another film sent elsewhere for processing, so I'd suspect the camera first.

 

First off check the light seals, the foam strips which should be in the door recess and around the door - if they are sticky they have perished. It's an easy job to replace them, you can buy foam kits on eBay.

 

You could also try taking the lens off, opening the shutter and pointing a bright light around the back to see if you can spot where light is getting in.

[steveclem]

Yep, that's a first for me, horrible gunk coming from around the film in window in the door.

Thanks guys, couldn't see the wood for the trees.

[earleygallery]

That's almost certainly it Steve, but you must replace all the foam seals around the door (there are some stuck inside the door, and on the camera body usually in the gap that the door closes into.

 

Use lighter fluid to get the old gunk off and be careful not the get any bits in the shutter or body, take your time. Fitting the new foam is a doodle.