M6 - Light Leak? Maybe? Help!

[heycadet]

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Hey there!

 

Having some issues with possible light leak on my M6. I've had it a few years with no issues.

I developed 10 rolls this months and I see it on most rolls; but not in every photo.

It seems to happen on both me 35mm and 50mm Canadian summicrons.

 

I am guessing it has something to do with the shutter cloth; but I'm not sure.

It's in an identical place everything it appears, but it has varying intensity across photos.

 

You can see it here:

 

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1rtBgmrOlI2Kh8SGsfa-_Adq8jIAF3TQT

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1fpbTs0eVXuRW9OymL19CkeYpKsnDvvYL

 

These two photos were taken one after the other. One has it and one does not. The only thing that would have changed would be shutter or aperture:

 

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1OYRxwqPmD-iFxCl4LXWxLehiKySvPiY_

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1rtBgmrOlI2Kh8SGsfa-_Adq8jIAF3TQT

 

Looking for some opinions before I send it in for service. There's only one guy around me that can service and it's an 8 to 12 week wait right now

 

Thanks!

[2wk]

I'm not sure of the state of affairs at Leica NJ but I would imagine things have settled down quite a bit. 

I have had good luck sending my M6 to them but you really have to stay on top of things. Call them a lot. 

 

So I would go that route or Dag or Sherry. I'm assuming you are in North America for some reason. 

[wattsy]

I think a red light leak indicates that the light is coming from behind the film and going through the film base. That might suggest that it isn’t a shutter related leak as the shutter sits in front of the film.

[pop]

.... One has it and one does not. ....

I don't think this is so. All samples have it, but you posted one sample twice.

[heycadet]

I'm not sure of the state of affairs at Leica NJ but I would imagine things have settled down quite a bit. 

I have had good luck sending my M6 to them but you really have to stay on top of things. Call them a lot. 

 

So I would go that route or Dag or Sherry. I'm assuming you are in North America for some reason. 

 

I am in Ontario Canada. Close to Toronto.

As far as I understand, we have one guy in Toronto and basically does all of Eastern Canada and he's pushing 85 now so he's not working very much.

 

 

I think a red light leak indicates that the light is coming from behind the film and going through the film base. That might suggest that it isn’t a shutter related leak as the shutter sits in front of the film.

 

Interesting. I'm not even sure where the light could leak in there. 

I'm going to inspect the the bottom panel, maybe there's an issue there.

 

 

I don't think this is so. All samples have it, but you posted one sample twice.

 

Sorry my error:

 

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1OYRxwqPmD-iFxCl4LXWxLehiKySvPiY_

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1ZlTDswhQpT8wyShTjTQ_VTldLknBgobk

[pop]

The M6 has a back door, if I'm not mistaken. You could try and stick a piece of opaqe tape over the edge of the back door, on the top right hand side, i.e. under the film advancing lever.

[250swb]

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 The only thing that would have changed would be shutter or aperture:

 

 

 

The other thing that could have changed is how long it was between shots. So if one photo doesn't have the leak it could be because the film didn't linger in the gate long enough. 

 

I agree with Philipp and Ian as to the most likely cause, the leak is hitting the back of the film, and always in the same spot. So check the door, is it located correctly, and if you remove the rear door there should be a length of undamaged foam running along the hinge line side to side along the top edge of the rebate in the body (this is the only foam seal). If this is damaged it is a very simple DIY job to replace it with a light seal kit from eBay. If the leak is moving across the frame in other photos that you haven't shown also check the strap lug.

Edited December 9, 2017 by 250swb

[heycadet]

The M6 has a back door, if I'm not mistaken. You could try and stick a piece of opaqe tape over the edge of the back door, on the top right hand side, i.e. under the film advancing lever.

 

Very good idea. Will give it a go.

 

The other thing that could have changed is how long it was between shots. So if one photo doesn't have the leak it could be because the film didn't linger in the gate long enough. 

 

I agree with Philipp and Ian as to the most likely cause, the leak is hitting the back of the film, and always in the same spot. So check the door, is it located correctly, and if you remove the rear door there should be a length of undamaged foam running along the hinge line side to side along the top edge of the rebate in the body (this is the only foam seal). If this is damaged it is a very simple DIY job to replace it with a light seal kit from eBay. If the leak is moving across the frame in other photos that you haven't shown also check the strap lug.

 

You're right. It's also possible that I could have blocked the leak sometimes with my hand if I was taking the photos back to back. I have a few rolls from the start of this development run that have no leak at all; but now that I'm thinking about it. I had the M6 in a leather case then, that blocked the back door completely. So this must be the issue. I took it out of the case because it was too bulky; but that could have easily exposed this issue.

Will look into this all tonight.

Thanks very much everyone!

[Shameetman]

Hi Heycadet, did you solve your problem? It seems I have exactly the same light leak..

[Dale D.]

I too have EXACTLY the same problem, and have been troubleshooting for over a year.  The camera has been to Sherry K and it still is happening.

heycadet or Shameetman, any updates? What is causing this? Could it be from the LEDs of the light meter?

[Boreees]

Hi all, please bare with me with yet another M6 light leak puzzle. Ever since owning this camera, this strange shaped light leak appears intermittently. It is always a rectangular shape within the film plane. Tried shining light at the curtain with nothing that I can see. Has anyone seen this shape before?

Much obliged for any help!

Boe

[250swb]

3 hours ago, Boreees said:

Hi all, please bare with me with yet another M6 light leak puzzle. Ever since owning this camera, this strange shaped light leak appears intermittently. It is always a rectangular shape within the film plane. Tried shining light at the curtain with nothing that I can see. Has anyone seen this shape before?

Much obliged for any help!

Boe

If your leak is orange it is coming through the back of the film, not the emulsion side, so not the shutter. There is a seal along the top edge of the film door that may have failed, you'll need to unclip the door to see the seal. Remember that when looking for a leak the image is projected upside down and reversed inside the camera.

[Dale D.]

Boe,

Can you show us an example of the phenomena?  My case was identical in nature to the OP.  I eventually sent it to Leica in NJ and they sorted it out for me.  I still don't know what my issue was, but I suspect the curtain sticking on the shutter rail at certain shutter speeds.

[Boreees]

Hey folks, here’s an example. It’s nearly the same each time it happens. 
 

https://imgshare.io/images/2021/01/03/061A4918-D147-4D3A-A8AB-CE0873FAA546.jpg

[Boreees]

Hey folks, here’s an example. It’s nearly the same each time it happens. Sorry had trouble uploading. 

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

[Dale D.]

On 1/1/2021 at 10:53 PM, Boreees said:

Hi all, please bare with me with yet another M6 light leak puzzle. Ever since owning this camera, this strange shaped light leak appears intermittently. It is always a rectangular shape within the film plane. Tried shining light at the curtain with nothing that I can see. Has anyone seen this shape before?

Much obliged for any help!

Boe

Otherwise a great pic. Mine was equally frustrating as it was only around 10% of my shots. Kinda like Russian roulette...

I’m certainly no expert, but to me it doesn’t really look like a light leak, but that the shutter is not transiting the frame at a constant speed, probably the second shutter curtain as it is causing over-exposure.  Perhaps this is more prevalent at certain shutter speeds?  Some sleuthing may help a technician get to the root of the problem.  I spent $500 for a 3rd party to try to solve and CLA to no avail.  Sending it to Leica was even more expensive but it is what I should have done from the start.

[tobey bilek]

8 minutes ago, Dale D. said:

Otherwise a great pic. Mine was equally frustrating as it was only around 10% of my shots. Kinda like Russian roulette...

I’m certainly no expert, but to me it doesn’t really look like a light leak, but that the shutter is not transiting the frame at a constant speed, probably the second shutter curtain as it is causing over-exposure.  Perhaps this is more prevalent at certain shutter speeds?  Some sleuthing may help a technician get to the root of the problem.  I spent $500 for a 3rd party to try to solve and CLA to no avail.  Sending it to Leica was even more expensive but it is what I should have done from the start.

The swimsuit lady is an issue I have had many times, 2  M6 cameras and some earlier.   The cloth seal around the shutter is worn.  Replace it with the upgrade mylar one and it is good for 100 years.  

[tobey bilek]

1 hour ago, Boreees said:

Hey folks, here’s an example. It’s nearly the same each time it happens. Sorry had trouble uploading. 

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

Seal around the shutter is worn.   Need to replace with upgrade mylar one. My two M6 only lasted 2 years from new and I purchased when they first issued.