Light Seals - Alternative materials.

[pityacka]

Just bought a Yashica Electro 35, and the first set of photos indicate a possible light leak.(See my thread re the camera) A couple of years back in TP I saw discussion where other materials could be used, instead of foam, ie black wool, etc. I have searched TP just now and had a look at archive queries on the matter, including Matt's Classic Cameras - Light seal repair.
I gather that foam kits nowadays are superior to what was used in the cameras initially.
I will probably buy a foam kit, but in the meantime was thinking of a temporary replacement, such as black wool or string, in order to run a 2nd film through the Yash. The foam by the hinge on the back plate/door is intact and appears complete. The grooves above and below the film path are clear, not even any crud, but I now have found that there should be seals there, too.

 

[wickerman]

I also have an Electro 35 that needed the light seals replacing. I bought a kit from here http://SPAM/l4nv7ms and cut the seals out with a scalpel, it really wasn't too difficult. I did try using the waxed string that comes in the kit to do the seals around the door but it is slightly too thick and the door didn't close properly.

 

[joxby]

I think I'd wait and buy a kit, its a fiddly job whatever material you use, I'd rather do it once with the right stuff.
I had a TLR once that had had a kind of gasket cut for it out of vinyl, it was loose and kept falling out when you opened the back, it worked but it wasn't ideal.

 

[pityacka]

joxby, I was not thinking of glueing in black wool, or similar. I was considering placing such alternative material in the grooves and then shooting a 2nd film to see the results. One suggestion I have received is putting the camera into a half case and see what happens. That makes sense,and on recollection I was carrying the Yash in a black cloth bag. I am beginning to think that after having been in the bag for 10 mins + it was preventing any light leak, and the next shots were possibly OK. At other times, after having removed it from the black bag, I took a few shots, but I did not return it to the bag, so light leaks would occur.

 

[DNH]

The name for light seal kits used to be Jon Goodman who traded on ebay as Interslice but he is no longer trading. I got one of his kits a few years ago & it was really good. It came with an assortment of materials so that you could re-seal just about anything & a handy set of instructions.

I had a look on ebay & this looks close to what he used to do: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-UPDAT...t_Parts_Tools_Repair_Kits&hash=item3383be810d

Expensive initial investment I suppose, but it will probably last a lifetime & may be less hassle in the long run.

Isopropyl alcohol is good for removing old seals that have gone to gunk.

 

[trevorbray]

You can stil get kits from Jon. I think his email is jgood21967@aol .com

I still use his services. Usually $10:10 mailed to you.

 

[pityacka]

I have received a suggestion that the light leak will more than likely be at the door hinge area. Tape that temporarily to see what effect it has. I had been assuming that any light leak was when the particular frame was behind the lens. It makes sense now, the camera takes a near perfect shot then when the frame is wound on, and is near the hinge area, light leaks onto that frame. That would account for the shots which are perfect, when with recollection, I may have been holding the camera with my right hand over the door hinge area.