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Is this lens flare or a light leak?


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Hi!

 

I have shoot about 20 rolls with my Leica M2 and two shoots turned out with some kind of flare. Both flares are almost the same and almost at the same place in the picture. Could it be a light leak if it only appears in 2 shoots from all the 20 rolls?

 

1368021453.jpg

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If it was a light leak there would be streaking across the negative extending in to the sprocket holes. Serious enough, there would be fogging across the entire roll. You didn't mention which lens you were using but if it's from the same era the M2 was made the coatings were not nearly as effective at reducing flare as a more modern lens would. Try another roll, shielding the lens from direct light, and if the problem persist have the camera checked.

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If is specific of the linked picture I'd say is a problem of lens ... there seems to be a strong light coming from left... it could strike the front glass with a certain angle with odd effects in the neg ; in some situations, and with some old lenses'mounts also the front ring of the lens can play a role if its inner diameter is chrome); has the other neg with the same issue a similar lighting situation ?

 

The hood is an important accessory in those conditions... I have a very old Summilux 35 chrome (a lens that in itself has a "flare-prone" reputation) in which I observed surprisingly differences with and without hood... my feel is that with this kind of front (see hereunder : chrome inner ring, front element rather convex and "elevated", coating of 1960...) is rather easy that a lateral spotty light can cause odd flare effects.

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Edited by luigi bertolotti
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If is specific of the linked picture I'd say is a problem of lens ... there seems to be a strong light coming from left... it could strike the front glass with a certain angle with odd effects in the neg ; in some situations, and with some old lenses'mounts also the front ring of the lens can play a role if its inner diameter is chrome); has the other neg with the same issue a similar lighting situation ?

 

The hood is an important accessory in those conditions... I have a very old Summilux 35 chrome (a lens that in itself has a "flare-prone" reputation) in which I observed surprisingly differences with and without hood... my feel is that with this kind of front (see hereunder : chrome inner ring, front element rather convex and "elevated", coating of 1960...) is rather easy that a lateral spotty light can cause odd flare effects.

 

It is completely dark in the room except for the TV directly to the left out of the picture. The shoot is taken with a summicron 35 version 4.

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Hello!

Sometimes there are light leaks on the top or on the bottom of the curtains. Was your photo the first after some time of no photos? You can also point with a light at the front side of the curtains and look from the other (film) side if you see any light comming through the bottom of the curtains.

Best regards

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Hello!

Sometimes there are light leaks on the top or on the bottom of the curtains. Was your photo the first after some time of no photos? You can also point with a light at the front side of the curtains and look from the other (film) side if you see any light comming through the bottom of the curtains.

Best regards

 

The camera was not used for a couple of days after taking this picture. The same story with the other photo that looks the same. I Have tried the thing with a light but i don't se no light shining trough.

 

Could it help if i put it in dark places while not in use?

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From the pattern I do not think the light is coming in from the finder. On my camera you can see light under the curtains if you shin a flash light in from the front, which I think is normal. I would suspect a lens issue if you had not said the camera fogged the image after sitting awhile. This leads me to believe there may be a small leak, maybe even the back. Just a guess though.

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From the pattern I do not think the light is coming in from the finder. On my camera you can see light under the curtains if you shin a flash light in from the front, which I think is normal. I would suspect a lens issue if you had not said the camera fogged the image after sitting awhile. This leads me to believe there may be a small leak, maybe even the back. Just a guess though.

 

Hmm, i think i will send it on a CLA, i hope they will find the problem.

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The camera was not used for a couple of days after taking this picture. The same story with the other photo that looks the same.

 

Was the film transported? So was the left or the right curtain exposed?

Jan

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I think he means, did you wind the camera after taking that shot, or leave it alone. If left alone one curtain blocks light from entering the camera, if it is wound the other curtain blocks the light. When looking for a pin hole in the curtain you have to check both of them, which means checking when not cocked, and when cocked. Looking from the back, the right curtain protects the film when not cocked, the left when cocked.

 

Wayne

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I think he means, did you wind the camera after taking that shot, or leave it alone. If left alone one curtain blocks light from entering the camera, if it is wound the other curtain blocks the light. When looking for a pin hole in the curtain you have to check both of them, which means checking when not cocked, and when cocked. Looking from the back, the right curtain protects the film when not cocked, the left when cocked.

 

Wayne

 

Yes i checked both! I can't see a light leak.

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One more question to rule out the curtains, was the lens cap and the lens on the whole time? I re-read the thread and did not see if you had removed the lens for any reason before putting it away for awhile?

 

Wayne

 

I don´t have a lens-cap. I got two new rolls today and both were shoot in bright daylight and non of the photos had this flare!

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