Posted by Jack Brauer on March 1, 2006 at 11:14 PM
I just got some slides back from a hike I went on in the Gore Range on Sunday. A couple of the shots show the same light leak pattern that's happened once before. If you look you can see the fogging at lower left and the flare extends up and to the right; you can really see it in the snowfield in the center of the photo. It's not super bad here but it's been a lot worse once before and I certainly don't want this possibility every time I shoot.
So I set up my Tachihara in a dark room, with my Kodak Readyload holder in place, and shined a bright light into the front. I was apalled to see light leaks on three sides of the holder, especially at the bottom! WTF!!!
I bought this Tachihara new in November from MPEX... is this thing is piece of crap, or is this a somewhat normal problem with wooden field cameras? Is there anything I can do to fix this? I really don't want to have to put the dark cloth over the back when taking photos, especially since I use quickloads. Is there any way to line the wood with some kind of black felt or something? I've searched the internet a bit and have found plenty of info on diagnosing light leak problems, but few ways to solve them.
Any advice would be appreciated. I'm so frustrated.
Posted by Todd Caudle on March 2, 2006 at 12:06 AM
Focus your anger on the Readyload holder. They're notoriusly leaky. Also, what lens are you using here? I used to have an occasional problem with my Ebony when I had it fully extended when using my 500mm rear element on my Nikkor tele lens. This doesn't look like a really long lens shot, but given the fact that I haven't the STAMINA to go traipsing around the Gore Range in the DEAD OF WINTER with a LARGE-FORMAT CAMERA, I might not have enough personal insight into what I'm looking at.
P.S.: Jack, you ARE the man! I kneel to kiss your ring.
(BTW, I can't even see the light leak you're talking about on this image...)
Posted by Jack Brauer on March 2, 2006 at 12:17 AM
Thanks for the ego massage, Todd. This was from a 135mm lens. I know where the light leak is - it is right where the Readyload holder lays on the camera. So either the Readyload holder is warped, or the wood where it fits/lays is warped. Or both. Any suggestions on how to fix it? Both times I've gotten the leak have been when the sun is shining on the back of the camera. All I can think of is that I'll have to drape the darkcloth over the back when shooting.
Jack, if you can, rerun the test with a different film holder or no film holder at all. Also, if you're coming to the Capitol take-down on Saturday, you might want to bring the camera and the holder. Not sure if there's a dark room where we can take a look at it, but maybe we can see what the issue is without it just by using a darkcloth. I'll bring a regular film holder and a Fuji Quickload for comparison.
I don't have any experience with the Readyloads, so I can't speak to them too much. But assuming it was extremely cold up there Sunday, it's possible that the temps affected the plastic holder. I'd be surprised if it was the camera body assuming you've gotten shots previously without light leaks.
Leaving the dark cloth over the back would help, but in CO especially, the wind makes that a risky approach given the likelihood of vibration.
Sounds like you've got it diagnosed properly though. I'm with Todd - sincerely doubt it's the camera - most likely the holder. You've probably noticed this, but... the holder has ridges that allow it to seat into the proper position on the camera. This is one of those things that can be easy to miss in the field. But once you get the feel of it, it becomes automatic. I can bring my Kodak holder to the capitol, if you want to give it a try. I guess I've been lucky, because I've not had problems with my Kodak holders - either the old style or the newer one. I know many others have had problems with leaks...
Solution? Replace the holder? You'd want to be very careful putting any kind of felt on the camera back. You might end up changing the distance to the film plane, thus messing up the focus...
I agree with what the others are saying about the readyload holders. One thought (kinda dumb) but with my Wisner I know that with all holders I need to jiggle the holder a little bit on the back of my camera to make sure that they are seating right. Usually I can feel the holders kinda "clink" into place when are finally seated correctly.
Thanks guys. I'll bring the camera, the holder, and a mag light to the capitol and maybe you guys can check it out. The holder is sitting correctly on the camera... believe me I checked 20 times.
I hope it's the holder, but it seems crazy that Kodak would produce holders that warp.
I went out on another hike this morning and draped the darkcloth over the back... it wasn't so bad, but Rick you're right that would suck when it's windy.
Discussion
6 repliesSo I set up my Tachihara in a dark room, with my Kodak Readyload holder in place, and shined a bright light into the front. I was apalled to see light leaks on three sides of the holder, especially at the bottom! WTF!!!
I bought this Tachihara new in November from MPEX... is this thing is piece of crap, or is this a somewhat normal problem with wooden field cameras? Is there anything I can do to fix this? I really don't want to have to put the dark cloth over the back when taking photos, especially since I use quickloads. Is there any way to line the wood with some kind of black felt or something? I've searched the internet a bit and have found plenty of info on diagnosing light leak problems, but few ways to solve them.
Any advice would be appreciated. I'm so frustrated.
P.S.: Jack, you ARE the man! I kneel to kiss your ring.
(BTW, I can't even see the light leak you're talking about on this image...)
I don't have any experience with the Readyloads, so I can't speak to them too much. But assuming it was extremely cold up there Sunday, it's possible that the temps affected the plastic holder. I'd be surprised if it was the camera body assuming you've gotten shots previously without light leaks.
Leaving the dark cloth over the back would help, but in CO especially, the wind makes that a risky approach given the likelihood of vibration.
Sounds like you've got it diagnosed properly though. I'm with Todd - sincerely doubt it's the camera - most likely the holder. You've probably noticed this, but... the holder has ridges that allow it to seat into the proper position on the camera. This is one of those things that can be easy to miss in the field. But once you get the feel of it, it becomes automatic. I can bring my Kodak holder to the capitol, if you want to give it a try. I guess I've been lucky, because I've not had problems with my Kodak holders - either the old style or the newer one. I know many others have had problems with leaks...
Solution? Replace the holder? You'd want to be very careful putting any kind of felt on the camera back. You might end up changing the distance to the film plane, thus messing up the focus...
Just a thought
RichieV
I hope it's the holder, but it seems crazy that Kodak would produce holders that warp.
I went out on another hike this morning and draped the darkcloth over the back... it wasn't so bad, but Rick you're right that would suck when it's windy.