nick_s6 Posted May 15, 2019 Share Posted May 15, 2019 Hello everyone, does anyone know if this could be a light leak? It's not on every photo I take with the camera, but is always in the same place and is sometimes stronger than others. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Marcus Posted May 15, 2019 Share Posted May 15, 2019 Camera light leak: Try this tried and true test method. Procure a key-chain LED flashlight. Preferably a tiny bright one that stays lit. Open the camera and place inside the cavity. Now retire to a truly dark-room, with a chair. Sit in the dark for 15 minutes to allow your eyes to dark-adapt. Hint – pirates (all seamen) wore an eye-patch over one eye for about 1 hour before going on watch at night. Dark adaption is eye independent. Now examine the camera from all angles. Light leak? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henricvs Posted May 15, 2019 Share Posted May 15, 2019 It could also be the shutter. If you don't see an external leak, take it to get serviced. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jochen_S Posted May 16, 2019 Share Posted May 16, 2019 I suspect the shutter too. - You probably heard about the chance to burn yourself a hole into it with an uncapped lens? - Check both curtains with an empty camera as Alan Marcus described. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodeo_joe1 Posted May 17, 2019 Share Posted May 17, 2019 It's only within the exposed frame, which eliminates any part of the camera aft of the shutter. A pinhole in the shutter would probably be much sharper defined and maybe leave a horizontal streak across the film. So I'm inclined not to suspect the shutter. Another possibility is a loss of black paint or flocking within the dark chamber or on the edge of the shutter guides. This could cause a reflection onto the film during exposure. Whatever the cause, only a thorough examination of the camera is likely to find it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDMvW Posted May 17, 2019 Share Posted May 17, 2019 Here is a pinhole in the shutter of a Nikon S2. Your pinhole (as I think it is) is likely smaller. A reasonably durable fix is to put mere touch of fabric paint on the shutter curtain at the spot-- (remember the image on the negative is upside down) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nick_s6 Posted May 17, 2019 Author Share Posted May 17, 2019 Hey everyone, thanks for the replies. I checked my shutter curtains with a strong light in a pitch black environment and couldn't see any holes in the shutter. What I did notice was that light seemed to be coming in around the top and bottom of the shutter curtains, but was more of a line of light along the edge of the curtain. Could this be a possible cause of the dark spot on the negatives? I've used this particular camera for about 4 years now and this just almost all of a sudden started happening a few months ago. I'm very careful to never point my camera at the sun or leave the lens wide open when walking about outside. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kmac Posted May 18, 2019 Share Posted May 18, 2019 What I did notice was that light seemed to be coming in around the top and bottom of the shutter curtains The camera probably needs a service. Have you checked the serial number ? Some M3s are worth more than others, a service could be well worthwhile M3 for sale, high price Link .... Leica M3 First 600 With Corner - Leica - Products More light leaks Link .... Leica M3 light leaks? Ken Rockwell on M3, a comprehensive review, alas no trouble shooting Link .... https://kenrockwell.com/leica/m3.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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