Leica R4S issue - any clues?

[Charles Morgan]

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A recent roll of colour film returned from my excellent processor with a black bar at the top of the frame on about 24 and in most cases it was accompanied by a light flare. The photos had been taken with different lenses on the R4S, there is no obvious point at which a strap could appear in frame, and all attempts to get one to appear when firing without film has produced nothing.

I don't intend to repair the R4S as it was basically free with the Summicron 50mm that came on it, but I wonder if anyone here has encountered such an odd issue before?

 

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[Bobitybob]

Not sure about the black mark, but the red line looks like a light leak from the film window on the door.  Try some black tape over it and if it disappears then you can leave the tape or buy a light seal kit or just the foam and make your own for not very much on the likes of eBay etc.

Presumably you tested the camera with the door open, if not, you may not see a problem if looking through the viewfinder when the mirror flips up.

It might also be worth speaking with the developer and asking if they have had any recent problems with any of their machines or scanners as they may only have discovered them after you film was processed.

[Bobitybob]

Thinking further about this if it is the light seal that is degraded and falling apart due to age, then a part of it may have lodged itself somewhere and been taken out with the film when you sent it to be processed.  You might then not have been able to  find a problem when you checked.  

I'd have a look at all the seals for evidence of them breaking up.

[Charles Morgan]

Thanks Bobitybob - the film window seal is absolutely fine. I have found a tiny bit of seal missing (about 3mm) from the lower light seal at the film window end of the door. It seems far too small to cause a problem, but I'll take the camera out with a test roll and the window taped up. The light leak only occurred on photos with the black mark. The lab actually pointed out the problem to me and confirmed it's only on the one roll.

[earleygallery]

58 minutes ago, Charles Morgan said:

Thanks Bobitybob - the film window seal is absolutely fine.

What exactly does that mean? The foam might look 'ok' but it might be compressed from use and not longer effectively light tight. That said I think it would appear on the other side of the frame. It would be prudent to replace all the seals - cheap and easy to do.

As for the black mark, I think you should look through the camera from the back (back open) and shutter open on B setting - looks like something may be stuck in the film gate?

[Bobitybob]

I’d say that you have found your problem.  The black mark is probably the 3mm piece of seal that is missing which got stuck somewhere in the film gate after coming loose and a missing piece that big is more than enough to cause the light leak.  Rather than waste more film, it would probable be best to change the seals and you’ll have a very usable camera.

[Charles Morgan]

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Well, just scanned a test roll of 12 exposures. The first six had black duck tape over the film window, which I then removed and shot 6 with the window untaped. I made sure the film window was exposed to the light coming from behind the camera - it was a very sunny day. The light seals have not been touched.

So, of course, no sign of anything at all. No black bars, no light leaks, nada.

So I'll keep on using it until, if, it recurs.