Flummoxed by Light Leak

[plaidshirts]

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Hello fellow Leica lovers,

I've recently noticed a light leak in my M2 that only seems to occur when the Elmar 35/3.5 is attached and shooting Fuji Superia 400.

Not all the frames were affected, as can be seen in the examples, but about half the roll.

However, previous rolls of different film (Tmax and HP5+) with the same lens were fine as were later ones (Tri-x and Ultramax) with different lenses (Summaron 35/2.8 and Summicron-C 40/2).

Quite perplexed, I thought it was just that particular film and tried the same M2 + Elmar 35/3.5 combination with a different batch (although I can't be sure now as I write this) Superia 400 and found a few frames afflicted - not as many though, about 5 out of 26 frames this time.

The leaks bleed between frames, so I was thinking it was the back door and/or the strap lugs, but then the unaffected rolls from earlier and later shoots blew up that theory.

FYI, the leak pattern from this post is very similar, which is why I suspected the strap lugs.

Any help would be appreciated!

Regards,

Dan

 

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Edited July 17, 2022 by plaidshirts

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[jankap]

I would make a test, while you are exposing the camera to sunlight, also between the exposures. And do this by holding the camera in different angles. And of course without case.

Backdoor, strap lugs, there are many possibilities. You could use black tape on the backdoor for some of the exposures.

 

PS: And try to take notes of what you do.

Edited July 17, 2022 by jankap

[plaidshirts]

Update:

I sent it to DAG and he identified the leak was due to a misaligned shield behind where the self timer would be (mine doesn't have one).

He says it's all good. Yay!

[Huss]

2 hours ago, plaidshirts said:

Update:

I sent it to DAG and he identified the leak was due to a misaligned shield behind where the self timer would be (mine doesn't have one).

He says it's all good. Yay!

Well, until you can verify that.  But I hope so.   I have sent cameras w light leaks to techs before who said it was now fixed, when it wasn't.

[plaidshirts]

7 hours ago, Huss said:

Well, until you can verify that.  But I hope so.   I have sent cameras w light leaks to techs before who said it was now fixed, when it wasn't.

Of course, the proof is in the pudding, but Don is no ordinary “tech”.

[Huss]

15 hours ago, plaidshirts said:

Of course, the proof is in the pudding, but Don is no ordinary “tech”.

It was Don.  Sent him my M5 for a light leak, said it was fixed, it wasn't.  He said he did everything.  I sent it to Zacks Camera Repair who did fix it.

FYI I’ve used Don for lots of stuff and have been very happy. Guess the M5 is not his thing anymore.

Edited August 20, 2022 by Huss

[plaidshirts]

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41 minutes ago, Huss said:

It was Don.  Sent him my M5 for a light leak, said it was fixed, it wasn't.  He said he did everything.  I sent it to Zacks Camera Repair who did fix it.

FYI I’ve used Don for lots of stuff and have been very happy. Guess the M5 is not his thing anymore.

Good to know. Sherri is the M5 specialist, from what I’ve heard. 

[earleygallery]

On 8/19/2022 at 4:25 PM, plaidshirts said:

Update:

I sent it to DAG and he identified the leak was due to a misaligned shield behind where the self timer would be (mine doesn't have one).

He says it's all good. Yay!

I'm confused as to how it could be a leak from the self timer if you're saying your camera doesn't have one?!

It's not a leak from the rear door as that would appear orange (assuming your examples are colour neg?). Most leaks like your example seem to be from the viewfinder/rangefinder area (there are various light seals within the body).

Please let us know how it goes.

[plaidshirts]

44 minutes ago, earleygallery said:

I'm confused as to how it could be a leak from the self timer if you're saying your camera doesn't have one?!

It's not a leak from the rear door as that would appear orange (assuming your examples are colour neg?). Most leaks like your example seem to be from the viewfinder/rangefinder area (there are various light seals within the body).

Please let us know how it goes.

It’s light reflecting internally and for those M2’s without a self timer there needs to be something to stop it. We shall see. 

[Huss]

10 hours ago, plaidshirts said:

Good to know. Sherri is the M5 specialist, from what I’ve heard. 

Once upon a time maybe….   I dont want to take this thread off on a tangent so I’ll leave it at that.

Edited August 21, 2022 by Huss

[plaidshirts]

UPDATE:

So far so good! I shot a test roll on a similarly sunny day. Not a hint of a leak (other than the lens flare from the ancient Elmar 35)

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