Chloe Charlton Posted March 11 Share Posted March 11 Hi everyone, got some test footage back and there's this light leak happening in the footage. Very regular but can't see an obvious pattern. I've attached a clip - sorry very low quality as I can't upload a larger file size - wondering if anyone's able to figure out what the cause is? It's filmed on a Reflex Bolex and I was playing with filters/masking at the time, however light leak shows on footage where only empty filter holder was inserted. Thanks in advance! Light leak.mp4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chloe Charlton Posted March 11 Author Share Posted March 11 Attaching some stills here of the leaks: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Site Sponsor Robert Houllahan Posted March 11 Site Sponsor Share Posted March 11 That is an odd one. Only when a empty filter holder is inserted? and not on any of the other film? Usually a filter issue is a vertical line not a horizontal streak. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aapo lettinen Posted March 12 Share Posted March 12 Static electricity can cause pretty similar very short and random flashy streaks which come from one side of the roll and are blue-ish, very localized and relatively small and defined. There is other possibilities too but because the flashes are very short and visually very similar than the ones I have got from static discharge it is possible that at least part of them were caused by static. Did you spool the film by yourself and if so, did you use some kind of gloves when doing that, possibly even touching the moving film roll to for example add tension to it? one of the easiest ways to get tons of static to the film is to use rubber gloves, for example nitrile gloves when winding the film to spool. Other possibilities too to get enough static to damage the film like this but rubber gloves are especially bad for starters... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Palmer Posted March 12 Share Posted March 12 (edited) As the flash also occurs outside the image it can't be to do with the filter slot. I'm wondering if maybe there's a door-leak near the gate area, perhaps coincidental. Does it still happen if you black tape up the join? Or is there a hole for an external magazine on top ? Edited March 12 by Doug Palmer add words Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dom Jaeger Posted March 12 Share Posted March 12 Check the seals at the top and bottom of the gate, it’s as though there is a crack letting in light that is within the loop area. Got a photo of the camera gate area? Was the camera recently serviced or modified? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Hart Posted March 13 Share Posted March 13 (edited) Static electricity when winding film may create more of a visual effect like a variable area sound track as a faint blue stain on prints from neg. My money would be on the following, a light leak where the front assembly fits into the maincase or damage to a small enclosure for a tiny sync lamp in the front of the camera body, lower right as viewed from the front. In regard Dom Jaeger's suggestion, I experienced light leak with an old H16 in those joints at the front after a desperate dismantlement to deal with water entry. My cure was fairly primitive at the time, a thin layer of clear Tarzan's Grip over the seams inside the case, blacked over with a felt tip pen. The leak was very faint and only occurred when the camera was at rest and marked stationary film. It is over 30 years ago so my memory is vague. I think the leak occurs where those seams are exposed by a small clearance where the door overhangs. Whether I was on the right track or not I do not know. Whichever, the problem went away. Edited March 13 by Robert Hart error Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Palmer Posted March 13 Share Posted March 13 Does the flash occur a short distance from the start or (possibly) end of a shot ? If so it's probably a light leak somewhere, only happening during the long time the film is at rest. By gauging that distance it's usually possible to find the spot. The Bolex doesn't have a fool-proof light seal unless kept in tiptop condition IMHO. I've more than once had issues and generally tape the lid for peace of mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chloe Charlton Posted March 13 Author Share Posted March 13 Thanks for all your generous responses! I realise my original post was written a little misleading - the leak is happening with filters and with an empty filter holder as well. It happens all the time, although is much consistent with single frame shooting (occurring on almost every frame) compared to continuous filming. The camera was very recently serviced - this was a first roll shot since the servicing and didn't spool this film myself so wonder if static if unlikely? There's no attachment for an external magazine and I'd taped all around where the front fits onto the main body with black insulation tape, except where the gate is as this isn't as easily taped up. Does the sync lamp you're speaking about Robert refer to no38 on page 4 of this booklet? https://film-media.dartmouth.edu/sites/department_film.prod/files/department_film/wysiwyg/bolex_h16_rx-5_sbm_manual_ocr_copy.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dom Jaeger Posted March 14 Share Posted March 14 Your photo is too dark to see the seals around the gate, but after a service where the front has been removed the seams where it joins above and below the gate should be sealed with a light proof compound. Also the join where the compartment floor meets the body, at least around the front side. You could try putting a strong torch inside the compartment, closing the lid and sitting with the camera in a totally dark space for a while. Once your eyes adjust you might see a glow coming from somewhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Hart Posted March 14 Share Posted March 14 (edited) This is where the light leak occurred with my old Bolex H16 non-reflex. The light bands only occurred when the film was at rest. During motion there was not enough light leaked in to cause a problem. In daylight outdoors, a timelapse would be likely to be spoiled by banding. Edited March 14 by Robert Hart Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Hart Posted March 14 Share Posted March 14 The little lamphouse is in a different position on the H16RX5. The piece had been destroyed in some past mishap so I cut a small strip of gaffer tape to cover what remained. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Palmer Posted March 14 Share Posted March 14 2 hours ago, Robert Hart said: This is where the light leak occurred with my old Bolex H16 non-reflex. The light bands only occurred when the film was at rest. During motion there was not enough light leaked in to cause a problem. In daylight outdoors, a timelapse would be likely to be spoiled by banding. To me this does seem a likely cause, if not enough light-proof compound was applied after your service perhaps. If you examine your single-frame material on a lightbox, you can determine which join is maybe leaking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chloe Charlton Posted March 20 Author Share Posted March 20 Would you be able to see if the sealant has come off? Does anyone have advice on how to reseal too? I will test out your good suggestion of putting a light in the camera body too. Thanks so much! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chloe Charlton Posted March 21 Author Share Posted March 21 I couldn't noticed any light leaking when sat in the dark with the camera and a torch inside the body but guessing you may not see that if the light is leaking from the edges of the gate? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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