111c.Light Leak or Lens Flare

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I'm not sure if this is a light leak or lens flare problem,so would appreciate any help from fellow members.

Thanks in advance.

Noel

 

111c (1946)

Summicron 5cm f2.0 (1953)

Kodakcolor Plus iso 400

 

f8 1/500s

[ATTACH]33427[/ATTACH]

[earleygallery]

Noel,

 

Difficult to tell from just the image. Look at the neg, does the 'fogging' appear beyond the film frame itself, i.e. over the sprocket hole area? Have other frames shown the same problem? If its just on the one frame I would suspect lens flare, if its on other frames in different lighting then its probably fogging from a light leak, most likely the shutter curtains.

 

Hopefully its just fogging but if not a new set of shutter curtains isn't an enormous outlay.

[Irishimage]

Noel,

 

Difficult to tell from just the image. Look at the neg, does the 'fogging' appear beyond the film frame itself, i.e. over the sprocket hole area? Have other frames shown the same problem? If its just on the one frame I would suspect lens flare, if its on other frames in different lighting then its probably fogging from a light leak, most likely the shutter curtains.

 

Hopefully its just fogging but if not a new set of shutter curtains isn't an enormous outlay.

 

Hi James,

Thanks for your detailed reply.

 

From what you have indicated i'll be relieved to know that the problem lies with the shutter curtains and not with the lens as the Summicron produces some really beautiful detailed sharp images.

Also i have a recently acquired a 111g (1957) which i can try it out on so that should tell me more about its condition.

 

Of about 60 frames shot all between 1/200s 1/500s and 1/1000s at f8 to f16 most have the fogging in almost the same position on the print.

Also on some of them there is a overlap beyond the film frame over the sprocket holes of the neg.

 

The curtains appear to be in good condition,no pin holes visible but have noticed the shutter release button is very stiff,was wondering could it be just a curtain tension or release mechanism problem.

 

Regards

Noel

[Johannes Knightworth]

Noel,

 

this is definitely a light leak I had a similar problem with my screw mount. Mine required a new shutter curtain. I sent mine to a Paepke in Germany which if my memory serves me well cost me around 200€ for a full CLA including the shutter replacement.

[frc]

It doesn't look like flare to me.

I've seen all kinds of flare but never came across something like this.

My cam is a relative new MP so i've no experience with light leaks, can't tell about that.

[doubice]

Noel,

 

Just to clarify - a 'light leak' is not how the problem with this IIIc should be described. A light leak is stray light entering the camera through an opening that should be light tight.

 

The problem your IIIc seems to have is related to the shutter operation. Since you mention that it happens mainly at speeds faster than 1/200s, you have a typical problem which will be cured by shutter cleaning and overhaul.

 

One of the shutter curtains is not travelling evenly across the film plane; as it slows down and than speeds up during its travel, it overexposes a part of the negative - this is what appears to you as flare or "light leak".

 

 

All the best,

 

Jan

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Noel,

 

As above, yes it would appear to be a shutter problem. I just bought an M2 which had a faulty shutter. Basically it appears that the camera hadn't been used for some time and the lubricants dry up. A standard CLA should make your camera good as new. There are the well know specialists such as Malcolm Taylor, but most Leica dealers will have their own preferred repairers.

[Irishimage]

Noel,

 

Just to clarify - a 'light leak' is not how the problem with this IIIc should be described. A light leak is stray light entering the camera through an opening that should be light tight.

 

The problem your IIIc seems to have is related to the shutter operation. Since you mention that it happens mainly at speeds faster than 1/200s, you have a typical problem which will be cured by shutter cleaning and overhaul.

 

One of the shutter curtains is not travelling evenly across the film plane; as it slows down and than speeds up during its travel, it overexposes a part of the negative - this is what appears to you as flare or "light leak".

 

 

All the best,

 

Jan

 

Jan

Thanks for your detailed technical explenation to my problem with the 111c.

 

As i explained in my previous thread the shutter release button is very stiff so this ties in exactly with what you are saying.

 

On closer examination i noticed a slight movement of the curtain (of about 2mm) when i depress the release button about half way just before final shutter release,this happens at all main dial speeds.

 

As this is the first time i had used this camera its more them likely that its been out of action for some time.

 

I'v just started to strip down the camera to clean and lube,and so far have encountered dirt mixed with dry grease all over the place,not a pretty sight.

 

For anyone interested i will keep you informed in a future thread of how i get on.

 

 

Thanks also to Johannes,frc & James for your helpful replys,much appreciated.

 

 

Regards

Noel