Results 1 to 9 of 9

Thread: Diagnosing a Light Leak

  1. #1

    Diagnosing a Light Leak

    I'm trying to diagnose light leaks. Do these look like they are camera back related or film carrier related? These leaks are almost always in this basic spot.

    Thanks!


    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	p160nc0009.jpg 
Views:	109 
Size:	84.6 KB 
ID:	197264

  2. #2
    Vaughn's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Humboldt County, CA
    Posts
    9,211

    Re: Diagnosing a Light Leak

    Looks to be a light leak when the holder is in the camera and the darkslide removed. Possibly due to not drawing the darkslide straight up. If the darkslide is pulled slightly towards the back, some light might sneak in if the holder is slightly pulled away from the camera back.

    If you put a holder in the camera, remove the lensboard, and in a dark room, stick a flashlight in the camera, see if any light shines from the top of the camera back. Pull the darkslide and try it again to see if it is the film holder. It helps if the holders are numbered and one can tell if it is the same holder having problems.
    "Landscapes exist in the material world yet soar in the realms of the spirit..." Tsung Ping, 5th Century China

  3. #3

    Join Date
    Sep 1998
    Location
    Oregon now (formerly Austria)
    Posts
    3,397

    Re: Diagnosing a Light Leak

    I'm with Vaughn on this. Learn to pinch the back to the camera body with your free hand while pulling/inserting the darkslide.

    However, a check like Vaughn describes for light leaks is a good idea. Some cameras have felt or foam as a light seal for the back. Some of this may be missing or degraded. If your camera is wood, check for warps too.

    Best,

    Doremus

  4. #4

    Join Date
    Sep 1998
    Location
    Loganville , GA
    Posts
    14,409

    Re: Diagnosing a Light Leak

    Quote Originally Posted by sperdynamite View Post
    I'm trying to diagnose light leaks. Do these look like they are camera back related or film carrier related? These leaks are almost always in this basic spot.

    Thanks!

    Don’t pull the slide out all the way and see if you still have the leak. Mark your dark slide at the point where the film area is fully uncovered to know how far to pull the slide out.
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	p160nc0009.jpg 
Views:	109 
Size:	84.6 KB 
ID:	197264

  5. #5

    Re: Diagnosing a Light Leak

    Is it at all possible that this leak came from a semi loose lens board?

  6. #6

    Join Date
    Mar 2002
    Location
    now in Tucson, AZ
    Posts
    3,618

    Re: Diagnosing a Light Leak

    I don't think so. If it were coming from that far away it would look more diffused. Note the relatively sharp edges almost parallel to the film edge. The light leak is probably very close to that spot. Of course a loose lens board should be tightened up anyway.

  7. #7

    Re: Diagnosing a Light Leak

    I tried the trick with the flashlight and I can't see any leak no matter how I pull my darkslide out. I'm going to order some RC paper and do some tests next week. It's pretty baffling frankly. THe loose board is an issue I know I have with one lens, and I didnt get the leak on an image where I know I shot with the tight board. So that came to mind rather late admittedly, though I agree it does look more like a pinpoint leak.

    The camera is a brand new Gibellini Bellatrix, and they've been great about it. The've offered to take it back under warranty and make sure everything is good to go, but I am currently just trying to avoid that whole process as I'd have to ship it to Italy.

  8. #8

    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    north of the 49th
    Posts
    1,419

    Re: Diagnosing a Light Leak

    I'm wondering the the holder was seated properly ? Your image wasn't cut off so it may have gone in most of the way, but not enough to engage the rib lock. that's my guess...
    notch codes ? I only use one film...

  9. #9

    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Newbury, Vermont
    Posts
    2,261

    Re: Diagnosing a Light Leak

    A couple more things you might try: one is to place your holders onto a known flat surface to see if any are warped. Another is to remove the lens board, insert a holder about halfway (preferably outdoors in bright light), wrap a dark cloth over your head, and peer into the camera as you continue to slide the holder into position. Give yourself a couple of minutes under the cloth to become dark-adapted. Now, check carefully for leaks around the holder's perimeter. Then try lifting the holder backwards from its entry side...and see how much back-pressure is needed to allow light to enter - then note, just as you begin to release the pressure, if the last bit of light is finally (and thoroughly) extinguished. Then slide the holder partway out, and then back in again...to see if every bit of light is extinguished.

Similar Threads

  1. Help diagnosing 7x17 light leaks (not a newbie, but still)
    By G Benaim in forum Cameras - ULF (Ultra Large Format) and Accessories
    Replies: 26
    Last Post: 8-Nov-2018, 14:56
  2. Light Leak?
    By revdocjim in forum Cameras & Camera Accessories
    Replies: 13
    Last Post: 6-Mar-2011, 06:56
  3. help diagnosing a light leak
    By ndavid813 in forum Cameras & Camera Accessories
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 23-Dec-2009, 05:14
  4. LF beginner needs help diagnosing light leak
    By Phillip Noll in forum Cameras & Camera Accessories
    Replies: 9
    Last Post: 11-Oct-2004, 09:16

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
  •