Intermittent orange streaks and edge fogging on Olympus OM-1 film photos — light leak?
Asked 2/20/2018
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I'm new to film and have been testing an Olympus OM-1. On a few frames from several rolls, I’m seeing orange triangular flares and pale or orange bars along one edge, but not on every shot. The affected frames seem to be the first photo taken after the camera has sat unused for hours or a day or more. I’ve already replaced the back door seals. Does this pattern suggest a light leak, and where else on a film camera should I check for leaks besides the back door seals?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
8y ago
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I just had a look at the shots in order, and yes, it would seem that the shots with the orange marks would have been the first shots for some time (probably at least a day in all cases)
This is indicative of a very small light leak. Over time enough light is making its way into the camera to fog areas of the film. The frames where you advance the film, take an image, and advance the film again right away aren't affected because not enough light leaks through to perceptibly affect the image in the time between when the film comes out of the film cartridge and when the film is rolled fairly tightly onto the takeup spool.
If you typically advance the film after shooting the last frame of a session the frame directly behind the shutter during the interim is the one most affected. If you wait until the next session to advance the film, then the area around where the film emerges from the cassette is where your film is being affected.
Don't forget that the bottom of the frame sits in the top of the camera as the image is inverted by the lens. This means that the orange area is near the top of the camera as the film sits in it and the light area on the edge of the next frame is on the side of that frame right next to the previous frame that has the orange triangle.
Even though you have replaced the light seals on the film door, there could still be light leaking around the seal if the door is slightly bent or the seal was not installed perfectly. Or the light could be leaking in somewhere else. You might also try and use a tight fitting lens cap and a viewfinder cover to see if the light is leaking through a very small gap between the light box and film chamber.
If you are unsuccessful in finding and fixing the leak, storing the camera in a light-proof bag when not using it will help reduce the effects.
Originally by user15871. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user15871
8y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Yes — that pattern strongly suggests a small camera light leak. The clue is that the affected frames are usually the first ones taken after the camera has been sitting for a while. A tiny leak can slowly fog the frame that remains behind the shutter; frames shot and advanced quickly afterward may not sit long enough to show the problem.
Besides the back door seals, inspect all body seams and possible entry points. A simple test is to put a small flashlight inside the camera, go into a dark room, let your eyes adjust, and look carefully around the camera for escaping light. Take your time.
You can also use opaque photo tape (or other opaque tape) to temporarily seal suspected seams, or even tape multiple joints as a test. If the problem disappears, you’ve confirmed the source is in the camera.
Improper loading/unloading or a processing leak can sometimes cause fogging too, but the “first frame after sitting” pattern points much more strongly to an in-camera leak.
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