Author Topic: Crap. My negatives leave something to be desired. (Read 2916 times)

Jeff Warden · « **on:** September 18, 2018, 08:52:16 PM »

So last weekend I went for a long walk with Miguel for some photo time. HE IS BAD LUCK.

When I developed my roll every negative had the same problem as you can see here, ruining every frame of the day. Phooey.

I have solved the mystery, but for fun I thought I'd offer a troubleshooting quiz. Can anyone tell what's happening here? It's a Hasselblad camera, for what it's worth. I'll post the answer tomorrow.

Cheers,

Jeff

Francois · « **Reply #1 on:** September 18, 2018, 09:04:29 PM »

Wow! You are really good at training those white doves so that they fly in the frame from the same side right on cue when you do a long-ish exposure

I'm actually thinking of a light leak, possibly between the loader and the body, upper left side...

Kai-san · « **Reply #2 on:** September 18, 2018, 10:15:40 PM »

There's a black strip of some material in the same spot on both frames, did you catch the end of your camera strap between the camera and the film back?

Jeff Warden · « **Reply #3 on:** September 18, 2018, 11:26:57 PM »

Quote from: Kai-san on September 18, 2018, 10:15:40 PM

There's a black strip of some material in the same spot on both frames, did you catch the end of your camera strap between the camera and the film back?

Kai you're so close I'll call you the winner. After the surprise of the ruined negatives I removed the film back and didn't see any problems, but when I removed the dark slide I found this. I think it's a bit of film, but I'm not quite sure. There were no strips of film missing from any rolls I've ever shot with this camera. A missing chunk of film from a 120 roll would have been obvious to see I think.

So if it's not film, I wonder what it is? I removed it and exposed a test roll this afternoon and there is a very minor light leak, but it's on the side opposite to where the strip of material was. The film back was slightly wobbly so I guess it's time for a service.

MiguelCampano · « **Reply #4 on:** September 19, 2018, 02:18:55 AM »

I think it's a gasket/seal on the back.

Bryan · « **Reply #5 on:** September 19, 2018, 02:20:41 AM »

I agree with Miguel, I think it has something to do with the light seal for the dark slide.

Jeff Warden · « **Reply #6 on:** September 19, 2018, 02:58:08 AM »

Thanks guys, I'll pick up another back and see if that solves the issue. I'll research user service of the backs too. How hard can it be? :-)

EarlJam · « **Reply #7 on:** September 19, 2018, 03:27:36 AM »

The Hasselblad Historical site has a good how-to for replacing the light trap. http://www.hasselbladhistorical.eu/ht/htseal.aspx

Aksel · « **Reply #8 on:** September 19, 2018, 08:02:55 AM »

Quote from: EarlJam on September 19, 2018, 03:27:36 AM

The Hasselblad Historical site has a good how-to for replacing the light trap. http://www.hasselbladhistorical.eu/ht/htseal.aspx

I have done it several times, super easy - about $10 delivered for the seals. This is what the set consists of, your sinner pretty obvious here

Francois · « **Reply #9 on:** September 19, 2018, 02:19:47 PM »

Somehow it reminds me of the floppy bit of plastic on the Instax film packs...
Never thought Hasselblad would have used something similar on their expensive backs.

Jeff Warden · « **Reply #10 on:** September 19, 2018, 02:42:13 PM »

Quote from: Aksel on September 19, 2018, 08:02:55 AM

Quote from: EarlJam on September 19, 2018, 03:27:36 AM
The Hasselblad Historical site has a good how-to for replacing the light trap. http://www.hasselbladhistorical.eu/ht/htseal.aspx

I have done it several times, super easy - about $10 delivered for the seals. This is what the set consists of, your sinner pretty obvious here

I watched a few youtube videos of people making the switch last night and it does look quite easy, so I'll take care of it myself. Thanks for the tip!

oldwino · « **Reply #11 on:** September 19, 2018, 04:05:48 PM »

It IS easy, and afterwards you’ll have the satisfaction of having repaired a Hasselblad!

Jeff Warden · « **Reply #12 on:** October 25, 2018, 01:03:18 AM »

Quote from: Aksel on September 19, 2018, 08:02:55 AM

Quote from: EarlJam on September 19, 2018, 03:27:36 AM
The Hasselblad Historical site has a good how-to for replacing the light trap. http://www.hasselbladhistorical.eu/ht/htseal.aspx

I have done it several times, super easy - about $10 delivered for the seals. This is what the set consists of, your sinner pretty obvious here

Hm, my kit was different from yours, and didn't include the thinner seal on the upper right of your image. (Nor was it mentioned in the instructions.)

Clearly it was needed. I put the seal kit on today and the result was as follows:

First here's the old seal. the screwdriver is touching the remaining part, and the exposed foam is above, where that other piece got torn off.

After replacing the seal I ran a roll of film through the camera today and the old corner light leak is fixed, but now there is this:

The film appears properly sealed on the right edge where the worst problem was before. That's where the dark slide is inserted, right? I'm wondering if the missing third foam strip is causing the rest.

MiguelCampano · « **Reply #13 on:** October 25, 2018, 03:07:38 PM »

Can't blame me for that one

Are those things you bought something you can pick up at Michael's or something like that?

Jeff Warden · « **Reply #14 on:** October 25, 2018, 06:14:53 PM »

Yeah I think I could make that third seal easily with the right adhesive backed foam. I called Hasselblad today and inquired about buying directly from them but haven't heard back yet. If I don't have success with them I'll make it myself.

cs1 · « **Reply #15 on:** October 26, 2018, 11:27:38 AM »

Jeff, I usually use black cell foam for that. You should be able to get it at a hardware store or building centre in 1, 2 or 3 mm thickness. It's cheap and works well. There's a nice trick that helps with applying the foam in the right place: you can wet the adhesive side with saliva (just put some on your finger and apply it generously). Then place the cell foam in the right place. The saliva will dry up and afterwards the adhesive will stick properly without any problems. The saliva has no negative influence on the adhesive after drying up. If you don't do that it's a real pain because the cell foam will basically stick to anything that's in the way while you try to properly align it.

Jeff Warden · « **Reply #16 on:** October 26, 2018, 04:28:13 PM »

Thanks for the reminder about the saliva technique. I remember re-skinning my Zeiss Ikon ZM which came with poor quality leatherette and needed replacing, and that was the recommended approach, which worked quite well. I'll get some 1mm foam and do it myself. Cheers!

Jeff Warden · « **Reply #17 on:** January 30, 2019, 03:13:16 PM »

Just closing the loop on this thread. I ordered some Camera Light Seal Foam from Amazon and it sealed the camera like a drum. Problem solved.

Thanks everyone. :-)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0014Z09D8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Indofunk · « **Reply #18 on:** January 31, 2019, 02:08:32 AM »

I love happy endings

Francois · « **Reply #19 on:** January 31, 2019, 01:46:41 PM »

Definitely. Especially when it's all the way to the end of the roll

Late Developer · « **Reply #20 on:** January 31, 2019, 02:14:42 PM »

I had a leak in one of my 'Blad backs. I'd heard they can be tricky to sort out (clearly not - but I'm not the most dextrous), so I took it to be dealt with. Good job I did as the gearing was also way off and that was causing it to "stick" sporadically half way through the wind-on. Anyway, it's now back to virtually pristine.

Looking forward to more of your 120 photos.

cs1 · « **Reply #21 on:** February 01, 2019, 02:13:26 PM »

Great job Jeff. I'm glad that it worked out.