Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/11/17
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Greg Locke wrote on 16 Nov: Does anyone have any suggestions on the likely problem with this M6?? > > M6, used, mint condition, approx. 7 years old. > > Every couple of rolls of film there is a frame or two that shows what looks > like a light strike or flare. > > It occurs horizontal across the film and "bottom edge" of the "flare" is > fairly defined while the top is more graduated and blends. > > This sometimes "spreads" into the next frame. About 10 years ago when I was using a Nikon 801s, I had what looks like a similar problem - light streaks across several frames. They would sometimes affect almost the whole film, but more often negatives towards the end. I discussed the problem with Nikon UK, who were very helpful and thoroughly checked out the camera, twice, and established that there was no light leakage into the camera. Their advice was that loading bulk film into plastic cassettes (which I found was when the problem occurred) could create static electricity problems. They advised using metal. I did that, though it was not easy to find empty metal cassettes then. It may still be difficult. The problem immediately went away. I have no idea if that is the answer in your case, particularly as the relatively fast Nikon built-in motor drive might of itself (unlike the M Leica) contribute to any static electricity problem. But it might help you in the process of scientific elimination, which is probably what you may have to do. Good luck! JH