First results from the new(old) Zenit TTL. -Slight Problem

[skida]

I wish I had a better film to use than Fuji C200, but I was in a hurry to check the results. These shots are as they came off the scan CD from the shop, except for a rotate. There is what looks like flare down the right side of each frame, same shape and size each time. I suspect it has to do with the shutter cloth as it is on all shots, no matter where the sun was. Any ideas? I am not too bothered as it is right at the edge and I can allow for cropping when framing shots in future, if it is too much hassle to sort. ALL shot with the Helios 44M lens.


Test shot 1 by skida, on Flickr


Test shot 2 by skida, on Flickr


Test shot 3 by skida, on Flickr

[themoleman342]

It's probably nothing to do with the shutter. Just looks like a typical light leak to me. The felt on the door is probably old and brittle. Replace that and no more problems, I guarantee.

[David]

GAH! Beaten to it. Definitely a light leak.I have a couple cameras with the same issue right now. Next on my repair list is replacing light seals on many of my bodies. On these old cameras, the light seals can become brittle, breakable, and also sticky -- the actual foam becomes modestly adhesive. That poses the biggest problem if the light seal gets into the shutter mechanism. I only mention that so as you remove the light seals, do it in a place where you can easily remove the detritus without it getting in the camera.

[skida]

I have had a look at the metal leading and trailing edges of the shutter and the left hand one, which leads when the shutter is fired, has a slight bend in it. This impedes the closing of the second blade.

I am not an expert on camera mechanics, but logic told me that if the light seals were responsible, the film would be totally burnt out at the edges as it would be exposed to the leak permanently until wound on.

I can live with this problem by allowing for cropping when shooting.

Thanks for your suggestions.