Why is there a bright white patch in the corner of every photo from my Zenit-B?
Asked 1/15/2012
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2 answers
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I’m getting a recurring bright white patch in the upper-right corner of photos shot with my Zenit-B film SLR. It appears on every frame, though its strength varies from shot to shot, and it can even show up on very dark images. I don’t see condensation or obvious marks on the lens when I inspect the camera.
What is the most likely cause, and what should I check to diagnose or fix it?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
14y ago
2 Answers
7
I would say light leakage and possibly internal reflections of some sort.
Considering you get a "bright patch" in the top right, I would highly suspect there is light leaking in.
The "dots" look a lot like reflections to me. In the lens, on a piece - anything that is shiny and reflects light.
I'd say start by checking whether the back closes properly. Next check if you have light leakage from the viewfinder.
Lastly, have a good look if you can see a reason for reflections in the camera.
If none of the three turn up something, try a different lens and see if the issue still occurs. If no, then it is the lens, otherwise... I'm out of ideas...
A last common option for failure would be the shutter, BUT that tends to look rather different.
Originally by user7736. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user7736
14y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
The most likely cause is a light leak or internal reflection somewhere in front of the film, not condensation.
Because the bright patch changes in strength with exposure time, it suggests stray light entering near the viewfinder/focusing screen area or reflecting inside the lens/camera, rather than a simple mark on the film. A leak from the camera back is still possible, but a continuous rear leak often affects frames more uniformly.
What to check:
- Inspect whether the back closes tightly and sits flat.
- Look for light entering through the viewfinder.
- Check foam/seals around the finder/screen area.
- Inspect the lens for small internal damage or reflective surfaces.
- Try another lens to see whether the problem stays with the body or follows the lens.
- As a test, seal the back edges with opaque tape or keep the camera in a case while shooting and compare results.
If the problem remains with different lenses and after sealing the back, the body likely has a leak or internal reflection issue that needs repair.
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