M-4P Light Leak

<p>Bought this camera in late 1980s. It had just been back to Leica for CLA. It has worked perfectly up till recently.<br>

* Last two rolls of Kodacolor 800 had these characteristics---<br>

1) The first 5 frames had orange splashes on photos. Worst is the first frame; gets better by fifth frame, then no light splashes for the rest of the roll.<br>

2) I did nothing differently in loading camera or removing film. Done in subdued light.<br>

3) I use the 50mm Elmar-M. It is never removed.<br>

It is developed and printed by machine at Walgreens. If it were the camera's fault, would not there be a light leak on every frame, not just the first five?<br>

Posting photos would help, but it is beyond my learning curve!</p>

<p>I would simply try another roll (12 or 24 expopsure) and have it processed. If the problem is gone, it's gone.</p>

<p>If not, did the problem differ from that seen on the first roll?</p>

<p>Arthur--<br>

That is what I did. If I try another roll, it will be the third roll. Wal-Mart also processes film and I am going to try another type of film and take it to Wal-Mart. If I still am having light leaks, I will have to get a CLA. These M4-Ps are getting old now, and this one has taken a lickin' and come up tickin' for a very long time.</p>

<p>Are there any shadows of sprockets (from another turn of the film) along the sprockets? If not, I kind of doubt the camera.<br>

The magazine may not have stayed snug against the leader-card processing machine as it pulled the film out of it. Thus a light leak there.<br>

Buy two short rolls, expose one in the camera, and bring both to the same place for processing.</p>

 

John, that's clever. There must be places that are forgetting how to process properly.

<p>John--<br>

Good idea. I will do that as soon as possible. If that is the problem, I'll save a lot on the CLA.<br>

BTW- What is a CLA going for nowadays?<br>

Also BTW-- Walgreens said that there is still enough 35mm film processing to justify keeping their machine, but when it goes, they WILL NOT repair the machine and film processing will be history at that store. They told me that the bulk of film processing there is from disposable cameras. People shooting with 35mm reloadable cameras are from another era.<br>

Also, there are no sprocket hole imprints in the photos.<br>

Thanks.</p>

<p> </p>

<blockquote>

<p>"Worst is the first frame; gets better by fifth frame"</p>

</blockquote>

<p>That's the key. <br>

If the 2nd curtain brake is too tight from <strong>poor adjustment or lubricant that's in failure</strong>, you'll experience this <em>non-capping</em> film fog issue. <br>

The 1st and 2nd curtains are designed to interlock. <br>

If the brake prevents this interlock activity until things warm up or loosen, then you'll fog film... </p>

<p>fog on the first few frames can be a symptom of the unloaded casette being exposed to bright light (sunlight?) before loading. the fact that it was an 800 speed film would weigh in on this sort of diagnosis. The light leaking thru the felt light trap will affect the first few frames. try a roll, perhaps of a slower speed, and load it in subdued light. good luck. </p>

<p>Almost certainly something wrong with the processing.</p>

<p>GOOD NEWS! It is not the camera. I used up my last roll of Kodacolor 800 and another roll of Fuji 400. I shot 5 frames on each roll and had Wal*Mart develop them. No light leak at all.<br>

I am going to tell Walgreens mgr that something is wrong with his machine or the operator. Both Walgreens and Warmart hire minimum wage people who find it difficult to chew gum and walk at the same time. <br>

Thanks for the advice.</p>

<p> Good to hear that Your camera works properly. <br />And that chewing gum comment made my day:)</p>