Shutter Curtain Spaces

[c._h._h.]

Hello,

 

I noticed my Elan 7 bodies shutter curtains have small gaps between

the shutter curtain blades, they don't lie perfectly flat on each

other. I just purchased the camera a few months ago so it is new.

Are all of the shutter curtains in the new Canon camera bodies like

this? Is it possible for light to enter through these gaps to the

film? Some people say to look at the prints to see if I see

streaks. But even if I don't see streaks and it still is possible

for the small quantity of light to effect the prints, how would I

know if it's the light leakage or my poor photographic skills? If I

get back a print that is blurry or poor quality how would I know if

it's me doing something wrong photographically or the light leakage.

I don't want to think that I'm doing something wrong when in fact

I'm not. Even if a minute amount of light is getting through the

shutter curtain by way of these gaps is unacceptable. I purchased a

Canon so I wouldn't have any problems. Can you please help me with

this, how can I be SURE that NO light is getting through these gaps

when it's not supposed to be?

 

Thank you implicitly.

[fj5]

Simple... take of the body cap, then open the back. Direct the camera towards a bright light source (lamp or the sun through the window - don't do this outside). Anything leak through? Probably not. If light is getting through these shutter curtains for longer than a second, the streaks would definitely be noticable on your prints. They'd be wide lines across your frame depending on angle of leaking and how much you move your camera. You could always go to the store and have them look at it. How many rolls have you shot to suspect something wrong? Also, are you sure these are actually gaps?

[bill_goldman]

Here's a simple test: Remove the lens. Open the back of the camera. Face a window or room light (or hold a flashlight facing the lens mount opening) and check for light leakage.

[isaac sibson]

Someone kept asking this same question over and over and over again fairly recently.

 

Simple short answer is that there is no problem with your camera body.

[jeremy_craig]

I'm not sure the answer is so simple -- wouldnt the mirror be covering these gaps to some extent?

 

I suppose a good test might be to enable mirror lock up and then point camera at the bright light source to see if you see anything. Can do the same test with film by pointing at bright light for a period of time with mirror locked up, but don't take an exposure. Then, put back on lens cap, and expose frame (just to advance) at 1/1000 at f22.

[fj5]

Well, mirror will let some light through it but your Elan 7e does have mirror lock up if you want to be SURE sure. =)