How to Fix Light Leaks in your Film Camera
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 29 พ.ย. 2020
- This week I'm fixing the light leak issue in my Mamiya RB67 medium format film camera!
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Good thing to note when replacing seals is that if the light leak is orange then it’s coming through the back and hitting the back of the film but if it’s white/blue then it’s coming through the front somewhere and hitting the front of the film! Could be helpful when replacing and testing the seals!
Whoa, man. It makes sense given how redscale is done.
Thanks for this man
Wait, Orange once inverted or just orange on the neg before inversion?
I can see how easy it would be to get light leaks from the back but how would you get it from the front?
Mint with infinite +'s is the best way to know that you'll have to fix something on your camera
"mint+++, Exc lens' --- expect fungus and a crack
@@jonnoMoto lmaooo I've been looking at cameras recently and I've had to find this out when I then read the description
Me with my new Mamiya 645 (mint 5+)
I was lucky enough to get a Near Mint Pentax 67 with a wonderful 105 2,4 from Japan and everything worked properly, no light leaks no cracks no nothing, just the lab that screwed one of my rolls…
Japan have proved problematic for me as well - lens coating rubbed on rear element, mamiya metz part never arrived.
Japan to be avoided for me I'm afraid.
China - no problem though.
When you were hoping he'd go shoot a roll after fixing the leaks :(
Still a great video either way.
same
Yeah 😢
Agree!
just a heads up willem the red dot on the top of the film back indicates that you wanna do double exposures; this probably explains why you kept accidentally double exposing your images in the last video. If you flip the switch off the red dot it will prevent you from firing another shot until you have winded the film back
that was buggin me so much in the last video haha. did his friend who told him he's going to accidentally double expose his stuff on the RB not know this either?
I have the exact camera with the exact same light leak...was ready to turn this into a shop for 1-2 months, thank you for this 🤘
me too! very happy to see this
they sell the foam for the rb precut which make it very easy to replace
@@XxTechyGamerXx00 what site??
@@nolovisuals1338 ebay, search for RB67 light seals.
Just did a video about this the other week! My only suggestions is to get the foam a little wet while sticking it on, that allows you to take the adhesive back off and reposition if you make a mistake without ruining the piece you cut, then when it dries it sticks perfectly.
Awesome! Thanks WIllem! This is so timely. I just got my RB67, tried a couple of rolls and noticed a light leak similar to yours. I’ll be replacing the seals shortly.
Great video, Willem! I recently replaced the light seals in my late grandfather's immaculately kept Minolta XG-1. To say the process was fiddly is an understatement, the seals were tiny! Now I can shoot my Portra 400 and Ilford B&W film without the worry of disintegrating seals and light leaks.
As a rookie, the first time i had light leaks I ordered a replacement set online for my AE-1. Foam came pre-cut which was nice, and came with a wooden tool to help scrape the old goo out. I think all said and done it was like $10+shipping (super expensive for just foam and a wooden tool. But the ease of the fix was worth the money. Awesome video as always!
I used a bit of Windex to dissolve my seals. Absolutely eats through the foam. And if the channel is too narrow for the q-tip, putting a small piece of cotton on the end of a toothpick works really well! If you can’t get your hands on the specific camera foam for the seals, the black craft foam with adhesive backing that you find at craft stores is a good substitute. That’s what I used for my camera and it’s been going strong with no issues for about two years now.
Actually I figured replacing the light seals of the RB67 was really easy. I fixed mine in literally no time at all with foam, q-tips and isopropyl alcohol. It's really interesting that you came up with videos on the RB at the moment where I was so hands-on with my own - shooting, diagnosing light leaks, repairing, and everything. Great video and perfect timing!
This came in just the right time! I bought my RB67 a few months ago and luckily enough I don't have any light leaks on the first few rolls I shot through it, but the seals are definitely shot and have to be replaced.
Man thanks for this! Just bought an RB67Pro and will be testing it out next week! If I run into the same issue this will be a life saver!
I had absolutely the same lightleak on my RB67 and I got it fixed a month ago. Just a beautiful camera!
Great video! One tip to make it easier is to remove the old seals with isopropyl alcohol, you can also apply it to the adhesive of the new seals to let you adjust them properly, when the alcohol evaporates the adhesive will stick as normal.
Needed this at the best time, Thanks willem! 🙏
Thanks for letting me know about this. I'm buying my Mamiya RB67 SD this Saturday and already ordered some light seals because they haven't been done
Thank you Willem! Just what I needed
had the same issue from a purchase from a reputable japan camera shop on ebay. the seller offered to pay for a repair shop to professionally install felt light leaks here at home :) i was lucky that way.
There are kits to replace lightseals on the RB. They are a little more expensive, but much more convenient. For the "skinny lines" I would recommend velvet thread and glue that is used for modeling. Works best!
Great advice on removing and replacing light seals! There are a couple tips that I would like to add for anyone interested: use alcohol and tooth picks. For the more stubborn pieces of old light seal and adhesive, use isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol and saturate the Q-tips in it. The alcohol helps to break down the adhesive of the old light seals. You can then come in with tooth picks and manually scrape away the old adhesive. The wood of the tooth pick is soft and will not damage the camera (as opposed to using a metal tool). Tooth picks are especially useful when getting into the recessed spaces of film-backs. I have replaced the light seals in a couple of my 35mm cameras this way. It takes a bit of elbow grease but is rewarding and totally worth it in the end!
Glad I looked back and found this episode! I was just having this issue with my RZ
Just picked up a rz67 also from japan and have been experiencing the same exact light leak. cant wait to put some new seals on it and give it a go!
Nice Lightroom skills, I learned something thanks to you !
I also bought mine from Japan on eBay and yep it was also rated mint++++++++++++😂. I was a bit let down with the condition of the lights seals but after it was all said and done and I had replaced all of them, I felt like I had a relationship with the camera itself and was more stoked on going out and using it. The light seals around the mirror were tough but patience paid off. I wish I had this video as an option back then because you were way more helpful than the videos I had to lean on. Cheers!
Was excited to see a new Willem Video in my TH-cam recommendation on a Monday
it is really a common problem of the old Rbs, mine was also brought from eBay, Japan, and it also has this issue. I used to think the leak happened just because I don't store my exposed films carefully because it happened randomly. Thanks for the guiding video!
So glad you just got one of these (RB67) cuz I just got one as well. I look forward to more videos with it! My seals were dust when I opened it up lol still ran a roll through we’ll see how bad it is
a broken toothpick also works well to remove seals with isopropyl alcohol. I'd also recommend buying one of the pre-cut sets online, like those by Aki Asahi
did this exact fix for my RB67, the aki asahi seals were cheap and came in a set of two and had an easy diagram as to where the pieces go. Fixed and good as new in 15 minutes.
@@_buttertigers exactly, me too. The pre-made kits are the best. But that one piece large square... ugh, need a drink after that one.
The only problem is that the company, Aki Asahi, will not ship to the US due to Covid restrictions now per their website. Very unfortunate.
I’ve never really though photography was a thing I wanted to do, but I recently got a fujica st605, and while still shooting my first roll, I’m already lusting after a Mamiya 645 or RB67
Just got my Mamyia RB67 and experiencing the same problem when mine came in 🤟 thanks for the tip
What is your skincare routine?
he puts the lotion on his skin so not to get the hose again
C41
Ugh, light leaks. I have two backs, one a Pro version and the other a Pro-S, and both have terrible light leaks. I re-did all of the light seals as soon as I realized I had a problem, but it still wasn't quite enough, so I just tape up the backs with black electrical tape each time! Good luck with yours, hope you still enjoy using the RB67! It's still my favourite camera, even if it looks a little rough!
wow you have the exact same light leak i have on my RB67 -- thanks for doing what I've been too lazy to do!
Thanks for sharing this. I need to replace some seals on one of my Pentax 6x7 finders. Thinks I can do it now. Appreciate the help!
you need the thinnest ones you can find for the 67 finders, otherwise they won’t click into place (i’ve made the mistake so hopefully you won’t)
Thanks for the useful video.
I had the same issue with the RB67 and ended up buying a new film back for really cheap at a local shop. But fixing it with seals is definitely cheaper (: looking forward to see that test roll ✌🏻
Hi Willem. Glad you discovered the RB67 which is a wonderful camera. Much better than the RZ67 :p Unfortunately, all these cameras need work, no matter how mint they are. Those seals were not meant to last 15+ years and were replaced during a regular CLA back when people really cared for their cameras. If it fits too tight it means your seals are too thick which means your body flange back has shifted leading to possible (minimal) focussing problems, especially when shooting wide open. You also need to replace the seals on the Pro S back doors and not only on the back itself. There are also seals in the body that need to be replaced (inside as well as outside) because they are gone too. The ones on the inside are replaced during a CLA. And your lens shutter needs a good clean too (they all need it, trust me). If you"re going to travel back to Belgium post Covid just send me a message @kalleralexander and we'll see what we can do. I do Mamiya repairs in Belgium.
When editing the stuff in Lightroom, instead of using lower exposure on your brush, you could also turn on overlay and it will show you the highlighted area better.
Damn fw18 flowers hoodie is gas. Great video my guy!
Thanks! My Olympus x1 has some serious light leak problems. My Canon ae-1 is also starting to show some problems
I just did this last week on a film camera I bought off ebay. I could tell from the photos that the light seals were shot, so I bought a kit from USCamera. It took about 25 minutes all in all, and I'm getting the test roll developed today. Fingers crossed! 🤞
Outstanding video. Like you and many of your viewers the rating system used by Japanese eBay shops are suspect at best. You roll the dice in many instances.
light seal fixes are so underrated - but one the most pleasing ones. I'd recommend also using something to 100% alcohol (Isopropanol) and dipping the Q-tips in it to remove the old and dirty light seals!
Awesome my RB67 has light leaks foam on order cheers mate regards Paul
Putting some hand sanitizer on the light seal adhesive is also super helpful when trying to get them into the right spot. Without it they'll stick to everything but the spot you want.
My Mamiya RB67 is also like this, planning to take this to my local shop to get it CLA'd with new light seals.
the back left hinge of the film back that you put away is actually the biggest culprit of light leaks! definitely have to fix those.
I‘m from Germany and I’ve read this solution a hundred times. I just can’t seem to find the perfect translation for this, would you mind specifying what exactly the left „hinge“ is? I would really appreciate it since I’ve been trying to fix this exact light leak for weeks.. I’ve tried everything but I just can’t seem to fix it. Thank you man! :)
@@byNoahUSA face the back of the camera. open the film back and the door should swing open. with the film-back door open, look at where the door and the body of the camera meet (the hinge) and that is a big area for light leaks.
@@genelegend awesome, thank you ❤️
@@byNoahUSA Gemeint ist das Scharnier. Übrigens im Plattdeutschen auch Hing oder Hing'n genannt.
Was thinking the same! I recently bought my RB and after shooting the first roll, I noticed massive light leaks. I checked it and it turned out that on that particular hinge, they simply forgot to put a light seal there while replacing the sealing...
keep it man that's one part of the film photography
I love using yarn and felt. The yarn is very easy to put into places like on the film back of the RB that you had to cut those super tiny foam strips. The felt is for other places that can be used to last longer than foam. In some places, you'll need to use foam because the felt is not thick enough but for the most part yarn and felt will cover the majority of cameras.
For removing seals I like to use Qtips and/or toothpicks (rip a little of the end of a Qtip [the cotton part] off and put it on the toothpick for places that are too small for the Qtip) then put some 97% isopropyl alcohol on the ends. Start rubbing away that gunk.
I love that u have the old windows background as ur channel banner
Interesting and good to know. Just curious, would a de-haze tool in post work at all in reducing the light leak in the exposed image? Thanks, Willem!
I use sticky back felt from Michaels craft store for all my light seals, works great
I would use bamboo Q tips next time because they are less fuzzy. I always dip them in pure alcohol. For hard cases loosen the old glue carefully with a toothpick.
I recently refurbished the magazine of my Hasselblad ;)
This video was MINT++++ EXECLENT NO FUNGUS
I would normally talk about the photos but that hoodie is sick
wow great video, will try with my 35mm camera
I have used #3 or #4 black yarn as seal material. The drawback is you also need an adhesive which can be messy.
i actually went through this a couple of days ago since ive had a major light leak in my nikon FM. i ordered a light seal kit for my camera isntead of cutting it myself didn't know i could just get a sheet of it. TIL. but that the guide that the kit came with had a really cool tip:
put some purell (without moisterizing) on the back of the adhesive so you can wiggle around the foam bfore setting it permanently, the purell makes it not adhere initially ut after 5 minutes it evaporates and the foam sticks perfectly.
Hi Willem! RB67 owner here 👋🏼 you said in the last video you were having double exposure problems. That’s because you have the double exposure feature enabled. If you flip the switch next to the film advance so it covers the red dot, you won’t have that problem anymore. Cheers!
I like the light leaks... one of my favourite captures happened because of a light leak.
I was blaming my film back for the light leak my RB has but you made me look at the revolving back. The light seal was in horrible condition. Still need to do the film back but now I'm pretty sure my light leak issue will be solved.
Quick tip: Use felt for light leak seals instead of foam. Lasts much longer and more durable than foam.
Thank you
The “O” key will bring up a red brush path that you can toggle to see where your using your brush tool
I think Squarespace is to Willem's channel, what Charlie is to Alan :D
true story haha
Dipping the light seal adhesive in either alcohol or an alcohol based cleaner before installing it into tight areas such as those deep channels in the RB67 film back is a good way to deactivate the adhesive properties while you finagle the seals in there. Otherwise the seals can stick to the sides of the channel and twist around the wrong way which is very annoying. The deactivation isn’t permanent, so when the seals dry they will be nicely stuck to the intended surface
dip them in water not alcohol otherwise the alcohol can break down the glue and they end up just falling off a couple months down the road
Now you have to show us how to add light leaks in lightroom. 😂
U got to do a closet tour Willem. Mans got some hard drip and wearing supreme 😂
Hey man, I recently bought a RB67 and have a small pinhole in my bellows. Any recommendations on how to fix this?? Love your videos, thanks for inspiring me to get back into photography!
I have the same issue did you find a solution?
Had the same light leak in the same spot but bigger and the only seal I had to replace was the one in the film back. Not in the part that the film actually loads to but the one with the hinges
Curious on the rotating back. (RB back adapter). I was attempting to cut the seal off a card template I made but how well does it form bend around the corner as you did if I would diagonal cut in sides ?
What monitor do you use to edit your photos? how do you calibre to look true to the original photo?
For those narrow deep sections, I know people have had great luck with jamming black knitting wool in there. Apparently a trick from cine cameras.
Quick tip: When inserting a foam strip into a narrow groove, just humidify the sticky side with your tongue. It will prevent the foam from sticking to the sides of the groove and slide right to the bottom where it should stay
You can use alcohol and apply it to the sticky back for easier management of the seal when you have to curve or whatnot and it's not sticking around everything. Once the alcohol evaporates the glue does it's job and stays 😊
Hey there willem!!
Willem, sorry bothering, but I have no experience about video editing etc. What program do you use for video editing and for screen capture? Thks!
I specifically went with the Pro SD because the film backs were designed to not need light seals. I believe SD backs will work on your version.
Amen! Steering clear of the oldest RBs is good advice - but if you have one go with the Pro-SD back.
this is true but if it’s dented wrong from heavy handed loading you can’t repair it, the Pro SD backs will work with all of the other RB models too
@@MaxLamdin I will have to keep that in mind next time I am shopping for a back.
@@Being_Joe it has to be pretty bad to cause it but it does happen
Got a tiny leak in my Rolleicord. Gonna try squeeze a tiny bit of foam in there!
Yesssiiirrr
had a light leak for my hasselblad, and found a precut light seal for it for $8, very easy to fix.
I take a little bit of cotton and attach it to the tip of a toothpick, then dip it in rubbing alcohol. I drip a bit of rubbing alcohol into the grooves holding the old light seals, then scrub it with the toothpick. I repeat that several times until all the nasty adhesive and foam is cleared out. I also just buy pre-cut light seals off ebay, but cutting your own foam is probably a more cost effective way to do it.
Can you Test silbersalz 35 Film? And nice video!
mint+++++ video
Idk if someone answered this already since the last video but that middle plate between the holder and the film body is the rotating back. All you have to do is twist the holder clockwise and it should rotate.
there is a checkbox "show selected mask overlay" that allows to see which area you're using brush in
You can use saliva (honestly) on the sticky side before placing the seals down. This helps in case it twists or doesn't go in the grooves properly. You can easily pull it out and adjust :)
I just got another RB and I have to change the seals. I used yarn and foam on my last one.
a steel ruler as a straight edge to cut against makes cutting the foam FAR easier. also using a teeny bit of soapy water on a q-tip and wetting the groove you put the foam into makes tight spots alot easier
Do you know anything about fixing the reel lever on some cameras? My little sister borrowed my minolta, got to the end of the film, she still tried to reel it, and forced it through, it made a loud clicking noise and won't reel film anymore. Any idea on how to fix it?
you got foam on the inner lining of the mirror that you can get to through the viewfinder if its still leaky
Isopropyl alcohol helps remove the old seals. And you can put the alcohol on the glue of the new seals to help put them in place. In the time it takes for the alcohol to evaporate you can get the new seals in place without sticking to everything.
Black tape is king. Literally used it today lmao (temporary solution obvs, and makes your camera look ugly) but if you know where it might be coming from, couple layers helps
Why does he still has the double exposure lever on "double exposure" and not on "singe exposure"?
just watched his vuhlandes ep n i feel like i need to share with you all that this guy is 6'3
still love him tho
Great vide! Maybe we can get some car content in the next few vids?
Me seeing that time laps waiting for the light seals to get stuck on his finger or the blade 😂
(this doesn't have to do with resealing your camera). I currently have the rb67 and am wondering if I should invest in a mamiya 6 for travel. what yall think ?
If you like 75mm, it collapses to be ridiculously small. It’s super irritating that you can’t put a Mamiya 7 under your jacket like you can with the Mamiya 6. The 50mm is pretty small too.
You can pass the sticky part of the seal in some alcohol just before placing it in the camera. Makes it easier to put it in exactly the right place cos temporarily loses its stickiness