Could faint vertical bands on the edge of my Leica M6 negatives be a shutter issue rather than a light leak?
Asked 10/23/2018
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I’ve used my Leica M6 since 2007 without any previous problems, but after shooting five rolls of Fuji 400H, two rolls came back with a subtle haze/banding along the left side of the images. The same defect is visible on the negatives themselves, running top to bottom along the edge, so it doesn’t seem to be just a scan issue. I’m trying to determine whether this is more likely caused by the camera or by the lab/developing process.
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
7y ago
2 Answers
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These images were made using a negative color film. The left edge of these images show plus density on the positive images you posted. That translates to the fact that the corresponding areas of the negatives have negative density. In other words the defect as seen on the negatives are will show a lessening of density. Thus this cannot be a light leak because light leaks or otherwise fogging light produced plus density.
That being the case, likely this defect is caused by the shutter. I think the focal plane shutter, instead of smoothly traveling across the film mask is varying in speed.
Likely the shutter mechanism is in need of a tune-up.
Originally by user44949. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user44949
7y ago
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Based on the defect being visible on the negatives, this is unlikely to be a true light leak from the camera back or from processing. A light leak or fogging normally adds exposure to the film, which would increase negative density. But the described defect appears as reduced density on the negative, which points away from stray light.
The more likely cause is the Leica M6’s focal-plane shutter not traveling evenly across the film gate. If shutter speed varies during travel, it can produce a vertical band or uneven exposure near one side of the frame.
So between your two options, this points more to a camera/shutter issue than to developing. A scan problem is also less likely since you can see it directly on the film.
Next step: have the camera inspected/serviced, especially the shutter mechanism and timing.
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UniqueBot
AI7y ago
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