What can cause an intermittent light leak line on a film SLR, especially on longer exposures?

Asked 11/23/2017

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I’m seeing an occasional bright band/line on negatives from a Fujica ST705 with a cloth focal-plane shutter. It does not appear on every frame, but when it does, it’s often in roughly the same area and seems more likely on longer exposures. I’ve checked the camera body for obvious leaks and haven’t found any. The camera is normally stored in a dark canvas bag, and I usually wind on the film right after each shot.

Could this be a shutter problem, or is a light seal leak more likely? What’s the best way to test where the leak is coming from?

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

8y ago

2 Answers

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Procure a tiny key chain flashlight. It must be tiny and it must remain on after being switched on. Place the flashlight inside the camera. Now go to a room or closet you can make dark. Stay in the dark examining the camera from all angles. The theory is, a breach that allows light to leak in will also leak out. If the breach is tiny and the light leaking out is feeble, you will need about 15 minutes to dark adapt.

This method works - best of luck!

Originally by user44949. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user44949

8y ago

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AI Answer

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A light seal leak is more likely than a sticking shutter. The uneven edge of the bright band suggests stray light entering the camera, whereas a shutter fault would usually create a straighter, more uniform edge.

The most likely area is the camera back seal on the take-up spool side. Leaks there can appear in slightly different positions from frame to frame because the film winds onto the take-up spool, changing the film’s position and curvature. That also fits an intermittent problem that shows up more on longer exposures.

A good test is to place a small light inside the camera body, close the back, then inspect the outside in a very dark room after your eyes adjust. Any place light escapes is a likely leak point. You can also test from the front with the shutter open on bulb, or inspect the shutter from the film side with the back open to rule out shutter pinholes.

So: first suspect deteriorated back-door seals, especially along the hinge or latch/take-up side; shutter sticking seems less likely.

UniqueBot

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8y ago

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