Results 1 to 7 of 7

Thread: New forum member needs light leak advice

  1. #1

    New forum member needs light leak advice

    Hi, I'm new to this forum but would really like some thoughts from others on what is causing my light leak. I have an Ebony SW45 and recently it has started to occasionally have a light leak. It often happens taking 4 or 5 shots of the same scene and then is fine on other scenes. Please take a look at these images and see if you think you know what is wrong. Originally I thought it was the film holder but I bought new ones and it still happened. Somebody has suggested it is where the bellows meets the body or the back spring.

    Many thanks!
    Last edited by luca123; 9-Sep-2011 at 02:41.

  2. #2

    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Posts
    2,474

    Re: New boy needs light leak advice

    The spring back, my guess. Probably sloppy work when using the dark slide.

  3. #3
    Greg Lockrey's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    Temperance, MI
    Posts
    1,980

    Re: New forum member needs light leak advice

    I'd look for some dirt on the film back and/or that the film holder is not seated firmly in the back.
    Greg Lockrey

    Wealth is a state of mind.
    Money is just a tool.
    Happiness is pedaling +25mph on a smooth road.



  4. #4

    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Posts
    3,142

    Re: New forum member needs light leak advice

    Filmholder not seating, weak springs on the GG panel, or carelessness when removing inserting the darkslide.

    I hold the GG panel/filmholder tightly against the camera body when removing or inserting the slide. Just pinch them together with your thumb and fore finger.
    Last edited by Ken Lee; 9-Sep-2011 at 08:05. Reason: Remove offensive post
    One man's Mede is another man's Persian.

  5. #5

    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Posts
    2,474

    Re: New forum member needs light leak advice

    Luca,
    technically, the film holder against the spring back is the weakest point of the light tight chain - dark slide-spring back- bellows-front standard with a lens board. Simply because the film holder is not attached firmly (must be detachable) and cannot be entirely seated on felt (to maintain the correct registration). So you have a hard surface against a hard surface and if the pressure is not constant a light leak is very probable. Something to remember when taking pictures - the back is more vulnerable than the rest. The dark slide must be treated gently.

  6. #6

    Re: New forum member needs light leak advice

    Thanks very for the replies. I've also had replies from Robert White and Ebony.
    They both believe it to be the holder nit sitting in the right position. This does sound the most plausible theory. I was thinking that it must be user error because it was happening occasionally and with certain scenes. Four shots where it happened in one shoot was where I was crouching down and pulling the darkslide from below, thus maybe pulling on the back and causing a leak. Ironically the new Toyo darkslides I have bought are very stiff to pull in and out, the leaks have been happening more with these than any others. I shall test my theory out next week and concentrate on pinching the back towards the camera body when pulling the darkslide. Many thanks!

  7. #7

    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Posts
    3,142

    Re: New forum member needs light leak advice

    I'll bet five units of whichever currency you use, that pinching the GG panel-filmholder-camera back together will solve the problem.
    It would be best, of course, to pinch the end with the darkslide....
    One man's Mede is another man's Persian.

Similar Threads

  1. Light leak or internal reflection?
    By jvuokko in forum Cameras & Camera Accessories
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 9-Jun-2010, 14:57
  2. Straight Line Light Leak on Verticals
    By G Benaim in forum Darkroom: Film, Processing & Printing
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 28-Nov-2008, 08:52
  3. Seeking Light Leak Advice
    By andrew vincent in forum Cameras & Camera Accessories
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 2-Apr-2007, 21:44
  4. Light leak - please help diagnose
    By Guy Tal in forum Cameras & Camera Accessories
    Replies: 17
    Last Post: 5-Jan-2004, 18:29
  5. bellows light leak?/
    By Nacio Jan Brown in forum Cameras & Camera Accessories
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 30-Jun-2000, 11:09

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •