Light leaks on my M3

[Garen]

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I just got this very clean M3 and I’m experiencing these unusual light leaks. I have shinned a light inside and tried to find the source, but I can’t figure it out. I thought it could be the curtains, but they look brand new. Any ideas? 

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[105012]

It's coming from the top of the camera, possibly missing one of the light shields that sits on the rangefinder?

[StephenH]

I agree that it's related to the rangefinder/viewfinder. I have almost an identical leak on my M5 which is thankfully very sporadic.  It causes a very similar conical shape in the same corner of the frame--indicating it's coming from the top.  

[TomB_tx]

In the shots above it seems to be from the upper right of the camera as images reverse horizontally as well. From the color it is on the emulsion side of the film - but since the film winds emulsion out on the take-up spool it could be in that area. I've heard of leaks at the strap lugs - you might check that out.

[250swb]

True a leak on the strap lugs could be a problem but if it isn't orange it cant be from a leak from behind. I'd say given the OP is new, welcome bye the way, but has it recently been serviced because missing replacing the simple light baffles in the rangefinder system is often a cause of 'leaks from above'.

[burchyk]

Something about the shape and the placement of that leak makes me think it could also be coming from a gap around the back door when the frame is sitting outside of the canister. Maybe not on the take-up spool as that is more likely to print through the roll and create multiple spots in random places, whereas yours seem to be consistent in placement and shape.

There is a way to debug this. Load some cheap film in a dark room. Have a spot light source handy. Advance a few frames. Make one reference exposure to be able to count from here. Skip 2 frames while still in the dark. "Expose" one of the suspect small areas of the camera for about a minute while keeping other areas away from light. Skip 2 more frames. Repeat. Make notes as you go.

Develop and check which frames the offending leak shows up on.

Worked really well when my M2 developed a leak between the 1st and the 2nd curtain.

[spero pa]

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Yes my M3 had light flashes problem on intermittent frames when I held the camera at different angles, then I checked out the back door, I replaced new light proof felt from the film entrance on B/W 35mm film canisters around the rear door that worked well.

 

[Eclectic Man]

Try placing the developed film as it was in the camera. This will provide three places where the light leak could have occurred:

1 outside the canister, prior to the exposure position

2 in exposure position

2 after exposure and before it is fully wound onto the take-up spool and covered by subsequently exposed film.

Then you can look to see what might have caused it.

Good luck!

[plaidshirts]

I had a similar leak with my M2 that DAG repaired. There was a light shield incorrectly installed where the self timer would have been (mine didn't have a ST).

It's something a qualified repairperson should be able to fix.

 

 

 

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Edited October 5 by plaidshirts