Bessa r4m Light leak question

allicio

allicio

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Andrew cowman
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Good Afternoon
I've just had my first roll of film back from ag photolab
There's three frames that exhibit a light leak primarily I think because I inadvertently over exposed the middle frame so light leaked to the frames either side of it.
I'm just wondering if anybody else has experienced a problem similar to this with any other camera? My camera was brand new in September so I'm hoping there isn't a problem with it as such.
I appreciate it's taken ages to run a roll of film through it and get it processed but it's been a crazy busy few months anyway here's the pics


 
Probably the viewfinder window.
There was a post on rangefinder forums a few years ago about this problem.

I'll see if I can find it.
 
Here you go. There seems to be a problem with some cameras. Thinking about it, it would seem difficult for the viewfinder in a rangefinder to cause this problem.
It's more likely to be an 'internal' light leak between exposures. I've never come across this with any film camera I've used.

https://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=59302
 
I don't see how light from a viewfinder can affect light reaching the film plane on a rangefinder.
 
Can't be the viewfinder can it? I'd run a test roll through it sharpish and get it sent back if there's a problem while it's still under guarantee.
 
Thanks very much for the replies gents. I e read the post on the rangefinder forum and as you chaps suggest it doesn't seem plausible for light to enter via the viewfinder??? Andrew sanderson suggested it could be the pressure plate isn't quite securing the film properly and as I used such a long exposure in daylight the light bled to the adjoining two frames.
The rest of the film was fine. Here's another couple of shots


I'm running another film through it short shrift as suggested!!!
 
Pressure plate seems plausible. They are normally mounted on two sprung slivers of metal - you just pull them out a bit (carefully!) to make them press harder against the film.
 
I did think of the pressure plate at first but dismissed the idea as a result of my experience with an ill-fitting pressure plate. I have an Olympus OM1 and tried the film door from an OM2 on it, as it had a film memo holder. The door fitted fine but the pressure plate didn't fit the apertre between the guide pins at one end and didm't seat properly. Thefocus on my photos was thus often quite poor and I came to the erroneous conclusion that Zuiko lenses weren't very good until I found out the mistake I had made.

The focus on your shots looks good, so I doubt the pressure plate is the cause. You can check your plate though by taking the lens off, selecting B as a shutter speed and opening the shutter by means of a lockable cable release. Then you can prod the plate with your finger to check its seating. The cable release should stop the curtains closing on your finger and damaging themselves.
 
Thanks so much for the advice gentlemen it's much appreciated! I'll have a look at the pressure plate as suggested and see if it's seated properly.
Thanks again!!
 
I've just taken out a part shot roll of film that I'm going to send off to ag photolab to check everything is ok.
I was looking at the light seals on the back of the door and couldn't help but wonder if the seal should extend right around the door instead of just the section at the top and the film inspection window?
Is this normal???
 
That looks like there is about a third of the amount needed!

EDIT: Apparently not on this camera...

See the bit of foam on the left? That should be in all of the slot, and also on the right hand side from the door top to the hinge at the bottom.

Normally, the foam is on the camera body rather than the door, but I presume it depends on the camera.
 
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That's what I was thinking!!
A phone call to robert white will have to be made in the morning!
Thankyou very much!!
 
This how you do a Contax 137MD:

001.jpg
 
allicio said:
That's what I was thinking!!
A phone call to robert white will have to be made in the morning!
Thankyou very much!!
Click to expand...

What does the body look like?
 
Thanks so much for this!!
I can't actually see any at all in the body but with it being a rangefinder I don't know if that's normal or not?

 
Not in the front!
The bit on the Contax is for the mirror. The mirror slaps against that foam and the foam cushions the blow - kind of :)

Where the door closes against the body...


( nice looking bit of kit BTW! )
 
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I'm not too sure now. I came across a pic of a Bessa R4M on the rangefinder forum which seems to show the same light seal as yours. I've not found a full picture yet.
Some rangefinders have light seals on the door, some on the body :) - it depends on the manufacturer.

tom.jpg
 
Back to the drawing board!

I've found a pic of the inside of the film back and it looks just like your one :(

bessa.jpg

There seems to be some foam just to the left of the hinge on the body to prevent light leak at that point.
Does your camera have that?
 
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Your Bessa is foamed correctly,both the 3 and 4 only have foam in that door section and around the film window.
 
medwaygreen said:
Your Bessa is foamed correctly,both the 3 and 4 only have foam in that door section and around the film window.
Click to expand...
He's right. Here's mine image.jpeg
 
Thanks for this gents. It's good to know that there isn't a load of seal missing. I read the b and h comments whilst researching my problem initially but thanks so much for taking the time to post for me.
It seems I have the same problem, normal length daylight exposures seem to be ok but when I inadvertently had it on a longer setting light bled to the adjacent frames.
I'm just going to have to be careful!!
Thanks again gents
 
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