Stupid Human Question.

[Brian_A]

Ok, I just got a 6x17 DaYi back and put a test roll through it real quick to check for any major issues and took it to be processed. I can't tell if this a light leak or flare, I think it's flare. What do you all think? Light leak or flare? The sun really wasn't too much in that direction, but it was significantly brighter behind the house. This is a half second exposure at f/22 on some old Provia 160 120 film I had laying around. One reason I think that it might be flare is the fact that in the tree, it gets more dense between the two areas of light. I guess I should have moved the camera to a different subject so I could tell otherwise, but now (At least until tomorrow) am relying on your knowledge.

Thanks for your help!

-Brian

[Walter Calahan]

Tree flare like that is common. I'd try another test where you don't have any possibility of flare. Then if you see the same thing, you've got a light leak.

[GPS]

A light leak. Notice it starts several mm from the upper edge of the frame. How about other frames?

[domenico Foschi]

I'll take the GPS position: it seems to be a light leak.
If you notice, the very upper part of the area affected in the trees is actually darker.
It seems to me it could be the back or the film holder.

[stehei]

Looks like a light leak to me?
But if it is, the upper part of the negative (beyond the image frame) ought to
be showing some leaking too?

Walter had the tip to make sure what the problem is!

regards

stefan

[GPS]

Looks like a light leak to me?
But if it is, the upper part of the negative (beyond the image frame) ought to
be showing some leaking too?
-snip-
regards

stefan

Absolutely not. It all depends what is in the way of the leaking light.

[jb7]

Ok, I'll buck the trend here, and like Walter, go for flare- maybe-
Though it would be helpful to know what lens you were using,
before I place my bet-

j

[Bryan Lemasters]

I have to vote flare, also. There are also faint signs of it in the extreme upper right - both areas of the brightest backlighting.

[Jiri Vasina]

I'd think it's a flare combined with light reflection. I had a DaYi 6x12cm back for some time and have had similar issues with some of my shots (although not as prominent as this one here).

If there was a bright light source, often diffuse (like sky or anything significantly brighter than the rest of the image), I had a flare starting several millimeters of the edge and disappearing into the image. From what I have found on internet, it seemed to be caused by the black finish of the holder being not matte enough, and reflecting some of the light on the frame. The recommended solution was to repaint the edges of the back with something more truly matte black. I have not done it, have sold the back because I stopped shooting color (in rolls, for which it was intended. And for the occasional color shot I will use the remainder of the sheets I have).

[Brian_A]

All right, all those in favor of the light leak because it starts several mm below the top, here's my reasoning:

I thought the same thing. I took the large version of this file and zoomed way in. That part of the tree in the background, is actually part of the tree I'm standing under. That's why it's darker up there, because it's prior to where the flare would be. Maybe I'm just stupid/worng, and I wouldn't put it past me, but that's my story and I'm stickin to it. I guess I'll find out later today when I take this next roll of film in. (Hopefully.......)

Thanks to everyone's opinions and help here. I'll post something (To settle the debate) later on when I get the processed roll back. (Just running c41 through it right now, as the lab down the street from me processes it for like $2.90.....)

Thanks!

-Brian