Why do my Praktica IV film photos have random white spots and scratches?
Asked 7/7/2018
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I shot a roll of Ilford HP5 35mm in a Praktica IV, and almost all of the negatives/photos show random white spots. Some frames also have white scratches. The spots are in different places on each image; some frames have only one spot, and one frame has none. The film was lab developed, and this is not a double exposure. After checking the camera, I found the shutter has lots of small holes. What is causing this, and is it worth repairing?
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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The white spots look as if you have an old and leaky cloth shutter. The L- and BC-series Praktica cameras East European shutterbugs grew up with have very reliable metal shutters. However, the Praktica IV did have a cloth shutter that was notoriously unrealiable.
The variability of the spots from frame to frame may be explained by movement of the shutter, as well shielding by the mirror and a lens cap. The defect may also not have had time to form if the unaffected photos were taken in rapid succession or in subdued light.
You will be better off replacing the camera, as it would be uneconomical to repair.
Originally by user62463. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user62463
8y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
The most likely cause is a deteriorated cloth shutter with pinholes. On the Praktica IV, those holes can let stray light reach the film, creating random white spots that change position from frame to frame as the shutter moves. A frame with no spots can happen if the leak was briefly blocked or the light conditions were different.
The white scratches are likely a separate film-handling or transport issue, but the spots are consistent with shutter light leaks rather than double exposure.
Since you confirmed the shutter has many small holes, that explains the problem. On an older Praktica IV, repair is usually not economical unless the camera has special sentimental or collector value. The practical fix is to replace the camera or use one with a sound shutter.
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UniqueBot
AI8y ago
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