Light Leak M2

[Stealth3kpl]

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This appeared at four points on the 36 exp roll:

 

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Those should've been flipped horizontally.

 

Other exposures with brighter and dimmer lighting were unaffected :

 

 

 

 

My M2s were serviced 2 years ago and are used regularly. Any ideas?

Pete

Edited April 26, 2013 by Stealth3kpl

[kdriceman]

Since it appears to have happened only on the one roll and because it appears to be across 2 (otherwise unaffected ) exposures and at different places on the roll, I would think a portion of the roll got exposed to light outside the camera, probably during development (after it had been removed from the camera).

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[Ulrik]

Did you change lenses when beetween those frames that are effected by light leaks? (this should be done in the shadow only)

 

Ulrik

[Stealth3kpl]

Since it appears to have happened only on the one roll and because it appears to be across 2 (otherwise unaffected ) exposures and at different places on the roll, I would think a portion of the roll got exposed to light outside the camera, probably during development (after it had been removed from the camera).

 

I was mistaken, it's occured on two rolls both from one of my Leicas. A third roll which was shot through my Nikon was developed simultaneously and is unaffected. It seems to be a problem with one of the Leicas. I've just run a film through both of my Leicas and will see if it happens again and if so I will have determined which is the guilty party.

Pete

[Stealth3kpl]

Did you change lenses when beetween those frames that are effected by light leaks? (this should be done in the shadow only)

 

Ulrik

 

No, the lens was in situ throughout.

Pete

[Stealth3kpl]

Here's one from the other film. There's a line down the frame which could be a clue to the origin of the problem:

 

 

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[Niko]

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I have a similar problem with my M3. http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m7-mp-film-m/265941-leica-m3-light-leak.html

 

Local repairshop tried to fix it but failed. I still can shine a light to the filmchamber through the rangefinder window. I still think it´s the source of this kind of phenomenon.

 

I have however given up and retired my heavily used M3 because besides this problem it doesn´t keep the rangefinder setting. It might be ok for months, but then it suddenly goes bad again without any noticeable knock or anything. I have had two shops look at that problem, no findings...

 

Niko

[Stealth3kpl]

That's remarkable. Look how similar yours is to this example of mine:

 

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[earleygallery]

See the other thread about an M3. This is almost certainly a light leak from the viewfinder/rangefinder area.

 

There are cloth/rubber light traps which need to be replaced. If a repairer hasn't managed to do it then they probably don't know about Leica well enough. Try one of the better known experts mentioned on this forum - they will certainly have seen this before.

[tobey bilek]

Replace the shutter curtains and the light shield as long as you are at it.

 

There are only a few places where it can leak, strap lug holes, back door, top around the transport lever.

 

Use a key chain light on the outside with the bottom off. Twist it all around in a dark room.

 

The leak is intermittent because of position of the sun and if your hand blocks the light.

 

Last resort is to tape up vulnerable areas one at a time and take the camera out in sun.

 

Do a transport with a metal cap over the lens.

 

Sometimes one curtain leaks, not the other.

 

I have had cameras that got streaks horizontally. Nobody could figure what was wrong.

 

Shutter curtain replacement cured it. They flashed strobes into a lensless body, and yet they checked good.

[Michael Hiles]

I had an identical problem with my M2. I couldn't predict when itr would happen, but it was always in the same place on the film. I sent it to Gerry Smith at Kindermann in Toronto (a terrific guy and a master) with some examples (negatives). The problem was a light leak around the rewind release lever. Gerry fixed the problem and I have had no issues since.

[Stealth3kpl]

Thanks for your replys. Typically, having run films through both of my M2s to determine which has the problem, both films look fine. I spoke to Malcolm Taylor about the issue and his thinking was also the rewind lever rather than a leak around the viewfinder. I'll send him the negatives and see if his thoughts change but at the moment both cameras are perfect (or should that be ).

Pete

[Michael Hiles]

Right. My light leak problem was only occasional and unpredictable. Often no problem for 5-6 roles.