Mamiya RZ67 II: Light leak with revolving back!

[juan_carlos_viso]

<p>I develop a B&W roll this weekend and I found what I can only explain as a light leak on the borders of the image.</p>

<p><img src="http://img854.imageshack.us/img854/6549/hm23.jpg" alt="" /><br>

<br>

It is only present on the photos I took with the back revolved vertically and its is the first time I notice such thing. Anyone has the same problem? Is it the back or the camera?</p>

[andre_noble5]

<p>Light could have gotten onto the film as it was outside the camera on the take up spool? Or it could be a film processing error such as inadequate fixing of the developed film?</p>

[stanley_h_wooding]

<p>Examine the lightt seals on the back to see if they need replacing. Any competent repair firm will do this for you.</p>

[h_s1]

<p>If the light seals are deteriorating, take a look at my recent post how I replaced on my RB67 ProS using wool and other materials easily available. It is quite straighforward and would cost merely a fraction of what a repair shop will charge.</p>

 

[juan_carlos_viso]

<p>I don't see anything unusual in the back itself. The strange thing is that the leak is only present with the back revolved, there is nothing in all the photos taken horizontally.</p>

<p>I'm going to recieve another back this week (not related with this issue), so I will compare the results with this one.</p>

<p>Thanks for your answers!</p>

[marc_batters]

<p>Which series of back are you using? Your post states RZII, but does that also mean a RZ ProII film back, as opposed to an original RZ Pro film back? Were the vertical shots at issue taken at the beginning/end of the roll?</p>

[thomas_abbott1]

<blockquote>

<p ><a href="../photodb/user?user_id=5661895">Marc Batters</a><a href="../member-status-icons"><img title="Subscriber" src="../v3graphics/member-status-icons/sub2.gif" alt="" /></a>, Apr 12, 2011; 05:55 p.m.</p>

 

<p>Which series of back are you using? Your post states RZII, but does that also mean a RZ ProII film back, as opposed to an original RZ Pro film back? Were the vertical shots at issue taken at the beginning/end of the roll?</p>

 

</blockquote>

 

<p>I would like to know this too. As I understand it, the Pro II backs have a better seal and are much less prone to light leaks than the original series. Knowing the answer to Marc's question might help narrow down whether it is a light leak or some other cause.</p>

 

[juan_carlos_viso]

<p>It is the 120 RZ Pro II back. The photos with light leak were at the beginning and middle of the roll (photos 1,2,3,5,6 and 7 of a 120 roll).</p>

[marc_batters]

<p>Juan, You have me stumped. The ProII backs do seal better, or at least the backs have a better initial design to their light sealing ability. Usually, but not always, when you have light leaks at only the long edges of the film, (with a ProII back, and as your images depict), it is often the result of improper film handling.<br>

My main suggestion at this point would be to carefully load another roll into the back, shoot the roll, see if the condition persists. <br>

I have more inserts then I have housings. I had this happen to me when I pre-loaded two extra inserts, and before I finally got around to loading the inserts into a housing, the film loosened-up around the spools. Only the long edges of the film became fogged, much like your images, a bit worse maybe as they were rolls of 220.<br>

Please try one more test roll in the suspect back, and let us know the results.</p>

[dave_gomes]

<p>If this were edge fogging of loose film, would the area between the frames also be effected? I haven't heard whether the fogging effects the areas between frames as well as the images proper. That's also sometimes a clue to whether the source is in front of or behind the revolving back rotation plane.</p>

[juan_carlos_viso]

<p>Jackpot goes to Dave!</p>

<p>I recall that the film went loose when I was charging it in the back. Moreover, I have develop this week another reel with 4-5 shoots with the same back revolved and there was no light leaks in any frame. So I think the issue is clear now and the back has nothing to be blame for.</p>

<p>By the way, this was a Rollei Pan25 and I have tried other Rollei films. Not very please with the film packaging quality of this brand, a bit shabby.</p>

[dave_gomes]

<p>Glad to hear you're back on the road to worry free shooting, Juan Carlos. Those are some nice images you have. It would be a shame for any more of them to be compromised by mysterious issues. I thought I had a light leak issue, but thanks to tips picked up on this forum I think I traced it to a flare in cases where the sun is at a particular angle and position in relation to the lens. I've invested in some lens shades and vowed to be more careful of sun position in the future. Wish me luck!<br>

All the best,<br>

-DG</p>