Fix Your Camera's Light Seals

If you are a fan of using older cameras, you may know that they can often have a problem with light leaks caused by deteriorated light seals.  I made the above video to talk about this issue and what you can do to fix it.  I don't actually show myself putting light seals in, but I talk about how to do it.  It is a bit difficult for me to film the process while doing it.  Additionally every camera is different, so there is a small about of 'figure it out' you need to do with each project. 

I can assure you it is fairly simple and encourage anyone to do it.  When you are shopping for an old camera, they are often advertised as having bad light seals because the seller is just selling it how they found it.  Assuming that there are no other problems with the camera, and you are willing to replace the seals yourself, then you can get a good deal on a camera.  The light seal foam is inexpensive and will usually provide enough material for multiple cameras.  It is an inexpensive, easy, and rewarding camera repair to do.


There are a few supplies and tools you need:

1. Light seal foam.
This sometimes comes precut for a specific camera, or in larger piece of uncut foam.  I hesitate to offer any links on where to purchase this material because in a few months it might just be a dead link.  I recommend just using an internet search or looking on eBay.  Additionally, you may also check the local craft store for adhesive back foam which is usually the same thing, although it may not always come in an ideal thickness.

2. Nail polish remover
Used as a cleaning solvent to clean out the old gooey seals.  Other light solvents may also work.

3. Cotton Swabs
For use with the nail polish remover.

4. Scraper tools
You may need to use a variety of tools depending on your camera.  What ever you can use to scrape out the old seals is useful.  Knife, pick, credit card, toothpick, etc.

5. X-acto/Hobby knife
To cut the light seal foam if you are not using a precut kit.

6. Ruler
To measure the size/shape of the new seals you need to cut.


The steps are fairly simple:

1. If you are cutting your own seals, use the ruler to measure out the shapes you need to cut new seals for.  Double check and pay special attention to any nooks and crannies that might need seals!

2. Carefully cut out the seals with a hobby knife (a sharp razor blade can also work well).  Since the seals can sometimes be thin strips, use the ruler as a straight edge so you can get very clean cuts.

3. Use any scraping tools necessary to remove the large portions of deteriorated light seals in the camera.  Be careful to not let this stuff flake off into parts of the camera where you don't want it to go!

4. Use cotton swabs and nail polish remover to clean away any remaining residue.

5. You may need to repeat steps 3 and 4 one or more times to get rid of all the gunk.  To ensure a good clean bond for the new seals make sure it is as clean as possible.  In some cases there may be some small bits of the old foam that have hardened and just won't come out, and it won't ruin the job if it is still in there when you put the new seals in over it.  As long as you can get it all 80-90% cleaned up you should have a good surface to adhere the new seals.

6. Carefully put the new seals in.  I remove just a small portion of the adhesive backing and get the piece started, then remove the rest of the backing as I work the seal into place.

7. Once a seal is in place, spend some time pressing it in to ensure it has a good bond.

8. Once done, put a roll of film in and test it out!

I hope that between the video and this blog post that there is enough information to give you the confidence to do this yourself.  If you have any questions, just ask!

Another Camera Haul

As usual, I am always looking for cameras, and as usual I am often finding them.  I thought I'd attempt another video to see if I can get a bit better at making them.  My recent finds include a steel developing tank in the package, another Polaroid Sun 660, a Polaroid SX-70 Model 2, an Argus C3, a Konica Auto S2, and several Olympus compacts (XA2, Infinity Stylus, and a Stylus Epic Zoom 80).

It's funny, because I was really pining for an SX-70 Model 2 about a month ago, so I bought one online.  Had I only been patient, I would have stumbled on the one I just found instead!  Oh well.  The one I took in a month ago was a little more desirable to me anyhow since it had strap lugs and a tripod socket, while the one I just found does not.

Also, I am pretty impressed with the Konica Auto S2.  Compared to other rangefinder cameras in its field (such as Canonets and some Olympus models) it is very large.  However, it feels really nice in the hand.  The rangefinder patch is also very clear.  Add in parallax compensation and I'd say the viewfinder is really excellent.  I also like the feel of the focus lever on this one compared to the Canonet.  I heard the lens is super sharp, and it also takes a normal filter size (unlike some Canonets and Olympus rangefinders).  I think it is really cool.

Anyhow, pretty good finds this last week!

Camera Haul 10/22/13

I thought I would start off this blog with a camera haul video.  I intend to do various camera reviews on this blog and it's accompanying YouTube channel, as well as photography tutorials and how tos (both for film or digital photography).

I am always thrifting and looking for cameras.  I've gone out a couple times this week and made a few good finds. 

Last Saturday I picked up a nice Polaroid Pronto in pretty good shape, with sort of a white plastic on the front.  There was another Pronto at the same store but all black, however it was in slightly rougher shape so I decided to pass on it.  When I was checking out, I asked to see another little camera they had in the front display case.  It ended up being a cool little Agfa Silette (the original type 1 style from 1953) in good shape.  I tested the shutter, aperture, film transport, and focus and it all checked out.  It is a really solid little camera, about the same size as a compact rangefinder from the 70s (a la Canonet QL17 GIII) but it is scale focus only.  I ended up shooting a roll through it and it was really fun to use.  Perhaps I will review it soon.

Today, I went out again since I had a couple other errands, and ended up finding a Polaroid Sun 660 at a Goodwill.  I don't normally pick up 600 style Polaroids because they are fairly common and not particularly noteworthy.  The Sun 660 however is an exception.  Because it has sonar autofocus, it tends to get sharper pictures than your average Polaroid 600 camera, which are normally of a fixed focus design. 

This camera actually appeared to have some film in it, as when I popped open the top a little LED lit up indicating the flash was charging up.  Unfortunately, it couldn't cycle up all the way because the battery in the film pack is probably too old (for those unaware, Polaroid integral films have the battery built into the film pack).  When I got it home, I stuck it in a changing back along with an empty Impossible Project film cartridge which still had a good battery in it.  In the changing bag I carefully removed the unused exposures from the old film pack and transplanted them to the Impossible pack, and stuck it in the camera.  So now, in theory I have 3 shots of expired Polaroid film to use.  Hopefully it comes out good, but if not that is ok.

Lastly, I made a stop at a Value Village, and I think it helped that I went in on a weekday morning, because in the bagged electronics section I found an absolutely mint looking Olympus XA!!!  I love the XA, it is definitely one of my all time favorite cameras.  It came with the A11 flash, which is great because all the other XA models currently in my possession have broken flashes.  It didn't come with a strap but I just snagged one off one  of the other models I have.

So that's that, a pretty good little round up of fun film cameras.  I'll be posting more stuff soon!