Michael Hiles Posted November 14, 2007 Share #1 Posted November 14, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) I wonder if anyone has ever seen - or could offer an explanation for the triangular light intrusion in the attached image. The left of the image is an unexposed frame. I get this occasionally (every 100 or so exposures) from my M2. It is always in the same place, crossing two exposed frames, but I cannot think of anything else that is a commonality. Certainly not lens dependent. No evident pattern that I can decern re: shutter speed setting, film advance etc. It has been happening for eons, and has never ruined anything very important. A CLA about 2 years ago by Sheri Krauter had no effect. Any insights or brainwaves most welcome. Michael 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! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/38090-flare-light-leak-gouhlies-ghosties-etc/?do=findComment&comment=402547'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted November 14, 2007 Posted November 14, 2007 Hi Michael Hiles, Take a look here Flare, Light Leak, Gouhlies, Ghosties etc.. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
rubenkok Posted November 15, 2007 Share #2 Posted November 15, 2007 Hi Michael, Looks like: http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/film-forum/14476-mp-light-leak.html ?? have you tried a shot with the lens hood on ? Ruben Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Hiles Posted November 15, 2007 Author Share #3 Posted November 15, 2007 Hi Ruben, Thanks for the reply. I always use a lens hood, so I am assuming it is not lens flare (but I have been wrong before...). I had a suggestion that it might be an internal reflection, but I wonder why it would be apparently random. Furthermore, it goes quite a bit beyond the image and onto the next image. This makes me think that it is happening during the film advance cycle because as far as I know, the only source of light is from the lens and through the frame opening in front of the film. I can't see it coming from the back - if that were the case, then it would happen all the time (but I have been wrong before...). Things that go bump in the Leica. BTW - thanks for the link - it sounds like a similar problem (maybe). Cheers, Michael Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rubenkok Posted November 18, 2007 Share #4 Posted November 18, 2007 Hi Michael, Have you tried a shot with the lens cap on. To be shure the light is not from the front (lens side of the camera). How is the quality of the shutter curtain, are you shure it is lighttight?? Regards, Ruben Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Hiles Posted November 19, 2007 Author Share #5 Posted November 19, 2007 Hi Ruben, Excellent idea. I very rarely shoot with the lens cap on, so on the next roll I will do that. I am assuming the shutter is light tight. This has been happening sporadically and randomly for a long time. The camera was CLAed about 2-3 years ago, and nothing was said at that time. It could have been missed at tht time, and I was silly enough not to mention it (it is rare enough that I forgot about it at that point). I have sent the same image to Sherry Krauter who did the CLA, but no kind words from her as yet. Many thanks for your interest and support. Michael Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wizard Posted November 19, 2007 Share #6 Posted November 19, 2007 Michael, I have almost EXACTLY the same problem with my M3, which was CLAed by Leica a year ago. Not lens dependent, doesn't look like flare to me etc. I have tested my shutter curtains by flashing onto them directly (with the lens demounted) and there were absolutely no marks on the film, so I assume the curtains are light tight. In trying to analyze the problem it occurred to me that the mysterious light patch seems to be present only when I had the front of the camera exposed to direct sunlight for more than just a few instants. I normally put a lens cap on the lens when not shooting, so the light must enter the camera somewhere else. Also, I usually carry the camera in an everready case, so there is not much chance of light entering the camera from the back. I now believe that the light enters the camera through the front side of the camera, most likely through the viewfinder/rangefinder system, and then works its way through to the film. This would explain why the light patch is crossing adjacent frames. However, the light leak appears to be quite small, as it does take exposure to direct sunlight for a period of time for the patch to develop. I literally just came back from my photo dealer collecting an exposed test film: I had flashed onto the camera from various angles and sides without releasing the shutter and with a lens cap on the lens and had hoped to reproduce the patch, but to no avail. Apparently, the intensity of a 1/2000s electronic flash is not enough to leave a mark on the film. I will be at Leica in Solms on Friday to discuss this problem, and will keep you updated. Best, Andy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Hiles Posted November 20, 2007 Author Share #7 Posted November 20, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) Andy, Thanks for this - very interesting indeed. I would very much appreciate hearing of your chat in Solms. I have sent an email to Sherry Krauter (upstate New York) who did the CLA 2-3 years back, but no reply as yet. I will post what she says (when and if she responds). Cheers, Michael Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nobbylon Posted November 23, 2007 Share #8 Posted November 23, 2007 That looks to me like a leak from the left side of the rear door. I've had some similar problems with my M6ttl but hopefully now sorted by fitting foam in the channels on right and left side of the body under the door and another foam strip on the inside of the door opposite the hinge side. I also had the lightshield under the door hinge replaced. Try a test roll with the rear door enclosure taped off with a good helping of black tape and that way the front or rear question will be answered. here's my post on another site, http://rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=684243#post684243 good luck fixing it Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nobbylon Posted November 23, 2007 Share #9 Posted November 23, 2007 Here is hopefully the fix for the rear door leaks! 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! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/38090-flare-light-leak-gouhlies-ghosties-etc/?do=findComment&comment=409741'>More sharing options...
Michael Hiles Posted November 23, 2007 Author Share #10 Posted November 23, 2007 Thanks to you all for experience and insights. The light leak makes most sense to me, and I wondered about the back. I just pressed the backs on both my M2 (with problem) and M3 which has no such issues. The M2's back is noticibly squishier than the M3. Hmmmm. I spoke to Sherry Krauter a few minutes ago at Golden Touch in NY state. She is pondering, and asked for a real print rather the just the scan so she can be sure where the issue is. I will also send a copy of this thread to provide added clues. I will report back when I have information from Sherry. Again thanks for your interest and help. I wonder if this is the kind of thing that would be a candidate for the LeicaWiki? Cheers, Michael Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nobbylon Posted November 23, 2007 Share #11 Posted November 23, 2007 supplying her with the negs is probably a better idea as you can then see whether the leak crosses the frames as different leak sources cause different effects, rgds j Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Hiles Posted November 23, 2007 Author Share #12 Posted November 23, 2007 Solid thought. Thanks. M. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rubenkok Posted November 26, 2007 Share #13 Posted November 26, 2007 Hi Michael, And............after all this information? All light leaks are gone?? I'm just curious! Ruben Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wizard Posted November 27, 2007 Share #14 Posted November 27, 2007 Ok, here I am, back from Solms talking to their M-specialist. He wasn't exactly sure as to where the light leaks in, and mentioned several possibilities (back door, rangefinder window at the front etc.). The only way to find out for sure seems to be trial and error. They have a special test box in Solms which throws strong light onto the camera from all sides. By putting a film into the camera and selectively taping the various places of potential suspicion, it should be possible to locate the exact location of the light leak. We'll see, and I will keep you guys posted. Cheers, Andy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Hiles Posted November 28, 2007 Author Share #15 Posted November 28, 2007 Ruben, Andy, Thanks. Andy, the Solms experts clearly have a Sherlock Holmes process. I will be interested to hear more when they report to you. Ruben, my last roll showed no problems - but that is far from definitive. I made a couple of exposures with the lens cap on - with no extra light showing on the negative. However, since the problem was intermittent (with the lens cap off), I am not very much further ahead. I also contacted Gerry Smith of Kinderman Canada. They are in Toronto and so there are no boarder or customs issues (I am in Montreal) which there would be sending it into the U.S.. He asked to see the camera and a telltale negative, so I will be sending the M2 up the river. He has an excellent reputation and much support on this forum, and at least did not sound despondent in his email. All this is likely to take 2-3 weeks - my guess - so we will see. Cheers, Michael Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rubenkok Posted December 1, 2007 Share #16 Posted December 1, 2007 Hi Michael, Thanks for the up date I hope it will work out well ! Lets wait and see, all the best Ruben Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Hiles Posted January 16, 2008 Author Share #17 Posted January 16, 2008 To close the circle, I sent my M2 to Gerry Smith at Kindermann in Toronto. He found a light leak around the rewind lever on the camera front. He dimantled the camera, fixed the problem, adjusted everything to specs, and all is now well. My experience with Gerry was terrific. He is a Scot who has been in Canada for many years. He called me and we had a great chat when he received the camera, and when he found and fixed the problem he called back and explained what had happened and what he had done to fix things. The whole experience was great, and he left me with a sense of confidence that there is close at hand (I am in Montreal) someone with great experience and wisdom in Leica matters. So as someone once said, All's Well That Ends Well. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rubenkok Posted January 16, 2008 Share #18 Posted January 16, 2008 Hi Michael, congratulations I'm glad that it all worked out OK we are looking forward to see your pictures all the best Ruben Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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