Shutter Issue, Lightleaks, or Processing Error?

Hello all,

 

I've been using a Pentacon Six TL for several months, and I've noticed several images have dark streaks running vertically through the image. They all happen under similar circumstances, on images with bright sky, taking up much of the upper part of the photograph. I decided to search for the reason and found that similar streaks appeared due to processing error. I contacted the lab my film is processed at, and their response was that those streaks were light leaks.

 

However, from my understanding light leaks would darken a negative, and create bright streaks on a positive. The streaks appear in similar places each time, which is why I initially agreed on a potential light leak. The more I consider, I'm still unsure if its a developing issue, a light leak, or if perhaps my camera's shutter moves at an inconsistent speed. I purchased the camera refurbished from a well-known seller on eBay so the camera was fully stripped and cleaned, so I'm somewhat skeptical about this issue.

 

Please tell me what you might think, I've attached several photos below which show the issue at its worse, with clear density variations in what actually was a clear sky.

 

looks like processing.

could be the shutter.

 

how do the marging of the negs look?

 

has this happened to other rolls?

Edited December 16, 2017 by paul ron

I don't see this as a light leak, rather the exposure is uneven across the frame. I would suspect the shutter curtains aren't traveling across correctly.

looks like processing.

could be the shutter.

 

how do the marging of the negs look?

 

has this happened to other rolls?

 

These are both from different rolls, developed at different times. The effect is noticeable on the negative.

 

I don't see this as a light leak, rather the exposure is uneven across the frame. I would suspect the shutter curtains aren't traveling across correctly.

 

I forget but it is likely that both of these pictures were taken at 1/1000, and maybe the issue lies there. I have several photos with similar setting yet no streaks.

I have a roll in the camera currently, and I'll give it a test by taking the same photo at 1/1000 and other slower speeds.

Could be a dark leak- dark is leaking into the camera, causing light areas on the film, resulting in dark areas on the print. No? OK, it's probably the shutter curtains. Those cameras are known for shutter curtain problems, especially the second curtain sticking. If it doesn't keep up, you get over exposed areas. There is some advice on-line as to fixing it, but that sort of thing isn't for everybody. It could well be worse at the higher speeds.

i agree with conrad on shutter curtains.

 

try shooting at different speeds to see how the shutter is behaving?

 

dark leak is a huge problem.

i agree with conrad on shutter curtains.

 

try shooting at different speeds to see how the shutter is behaving?

 

dark leak is a huge problem.

 

Finished off a roll of film today, took two different pictures at three times, at 1/1000, 1/500, and 1/250. Hopefully only the pictures at 1/1000 will have the issue, since I can just avoid that speed when using my camera.

well????

Those Pentacon 6s were past their best in 1987, now it's 30 years on. East German Zeiss made great lenses in P6 fit. It's a shame Pentacon VEB couldn't make a decent camera to take them!

 

Looks like shutter stutter to me. Whoever 'refurbished' the camera obviously made an awful job of it.

 

My advice would be to send it back for a refund and look for something better.

well????

 

I haven't sent in the film yet, and since Christmas is soon, I won't get the answers until early January.

 

Those Pentacon 6s were past their best in 1987, now it's 30 years on. East German Zeiss made great lenses in P6 fit. It's a shame Pentacon VEB couldn't make a decent camera to take them!

 

Looks like shutter stutter to me. Whoever 'refurbished' the camera obviously made an awful job of it.

 

My advice would be to send it back for a refund and look for something better.

 

The issue is that I bought the camera a year ago, and these shutter issues haven't been quite as strong until recently. If there was any warranty its likely gone.

"The issue is that I bought the camera a year ago, and these shutter issues haven't been quite as strong until recently. If there was any warranty its likely gone."

 

- That's a pity. Sorry to hear that.

P6s were known to give uneven exposure across the frame at 1/1000th, but not usually as bad as the above examples.

 

Perhaps working the shutter a few dozen times might smooth out its action.... or make it worse. It's a gamble I'd personally take. Having had a P6 apart, adjusting the shutter is a painstaking process. I think a proper CLA with attention to the shutter might well cost more than the camera is worth.

Hello again,

 

I finally got my negatives developed and got the test results. And from what I can tell the issue is only on 1/1000, or at least its very obvious on 1/1000. Here's a rough scan of the negatives, and from left to right the images were shot at 1/1000th, 1/500th, and 1/250th, with the proper aperture for the exposure. I really hope this is the case, since I'm willing to sacrifice using one shutter speed to be able to use my Pentacon Six.