GErvin
Yashica Mat User
I recently purchased a Yashica Mat 124 that seems to be in perfect condition. However, there is a weird fog showing up on my pictures from the light source. I tried searching google for hours to diagnose my problem with no luck. I have posted 2 examples below. Note that both of these pictures were taken on a very overcast day with no sun.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Anupam
Well-known
Looks like a light leak near the bottom of the camera.
jan normandale
Film is the other way
it looks like you've got a light leak. You might need new light seals. Check Jon Goodman for one of his seal kits elsewhere here at RFF
GErvin
Yashica Mat User
Cool thanks guys. I can always deal with a light leak. Is Jon Goodman his user name here on RFF?
jaap
Jaap
I don't think it's a light leak. It's a pollution in the lens. I own one myself and I had the same problem. I've let it cleanded by yashica Hamburg Germany long time ago.
oftheherd
Mentor
If it is a light leak, you should be able to test for that by putting black electrician's tape along all the back's edges before winding the film on the first time. If that cures it, it was indeed a light leak. Even if not, you might want to take a good look at the light seals and if they look a little bad, replace them. If they have never been replaced, it wouldn't hurt to do so.
A close examination of the lens should tell you if there might be a problem there. Hopefully if so, it is something you can carefully clean yourself. The Yashica 124 MAT G was the first MF camera I owned, and I loved it. It is worth fixing.
A close examination of the lens should tell you if there might be a problem there. Hopefully if so, it is something you can carefully clean yourself. The Yashica 124 MAT G was the first MF camera I owned, and I loved it. It is worth fixing.
VictorM.
Well-known
It could be worse than normal flare caused by slight haziness in the lens. Check the lens with the shutter open on 'B'.
GErvin
Yashica Mat User
Ok I will check the lens and I also bought a new seal kit.
Thanks for all your help guys. And yes I agree that it is a camera worth fixing!
Thanks for all your help guys. And yes I agree that it is a camera worth fixing!
FallisPhoto
Mentor
That isn't a light leak. It's a textbook case of lens haze.
Avotius
Some guy
Looks like fogging of the lens to me, take a flashlight and shine it through one side as you look through the other with the shutter triggered on b.
GErvin
Yashica Mat User
I was about to do the test when I realized I still have some film in the camera I'm going to finish the roll and let you guys know what I see in the lens.
I'm going to finish the roll and let you guys know what I see in the lens.
GErvin
Yashica Mat User
So I burned through the rest of my roll so I could hold the shutter open and check out my lens. This brought up a new problem. The shutter will not stay open on B. Every other F stop appears to be working perfectly. I have tried it with and without a cable release. Has this even been a problem for any of you guys?
I love this camera and I want to get it shooting in top condition
Thanks for your help in advance
**Edit** I have searched google for awhile and realized that a CLA should fix the shutter not staying open. Now my question is, will a CLA remove the hazing on my lens? **Edit**
I love this camera and I want to get it shooting in top condition
Thanks for your help in advance
**Edit** I have searched google for awhile and realized that a CLA should fix the shutter not staying open. Now my question is, will a CLA remove the hazing on my lens? **Edit**
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rtphotos
Established
Hi GErvin,
I agree with those who believe this is flare. I also believe that lens haze will cause it to flare more easily.
But my experience with a YashicaMat LM is that it flares readily if I shoot towards bright sunlight - this is even after a lens cleaning. A lens hood is a must for YashicaMats from what I've read elsewheres.
To answer your questions, when I first bought my Mat (eBay - blech!) it too didn't stay open on bulb, and the slow speeds were wonky. I sent it to Mark Hama and specifically asked that he do a thorough CLA, address the bulb problem, and to clean the lens as necessary.
The camera came back a couple weeks later clean as a whistle. It works like a brand new camera now. He did not charge anything more that his usual CLA fee to address the shutter and haze. Fortunately the little lens haze I had on the elements was not fungus.
If you do send it in for a CLA, let the repairperson know about the bulb problem and hazy lens.
I wholeheartedly recommmend Mark Hama, but do suggest that you inquire about his current turn-around time. He is often extremely busy due to his reputation as being "da man" to CLA YashicaMats.
Good luck on getting your Mat working!
rt
Shooting directly into the sun after a CLA:
I agree with those who believe this is flare. I also believe that lens haze will cause it to flare more easily.
But my experience with a YashicaMat LM is that it flares readily if I shoot towards bright sunlight - this is even after a lens cleaning. A lens hood is a must for YashicaMats from what I've read elsewheres.
To answer your questions, when I first bought my Mat (eBay - blech!) it too didn't stay open on bulb, and the slow speeds were wonky. I sent it to Mark Hama and specifically asked that he do a thorough CLA, address the bulb problem, and to clean the lens as necessary.
The camera came back a couple weeks later clean as a whistle. It works like a brand new camera now. He did not charge anything more that his usual CLA fee to address the shutter and haze. Fortunately the little lens haze I had on the elements was not fungus.
If you do send it in for a CLA, let the repairperson know about the bulb problem and hazy lens.
I wholeheartedly recommmend Mark Hama, but do suggest that you inquire about his current turn-around time. He is often extremely busy due to his reputation as being "da man" to CLA YashicaMats.
Good luck on getting your Mat working!
rt
Shooting directly into the sun after a CLA:
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rtphotos
Established
By the way, wouldn't light leaks in the body show up as reddish-orange streaks rather than white-ish?
rt
rt
GErvin
Yashica Mat User
Hi GErvin,
I agree with those who believe this is flare. I also believe that lens haze will cause it to flare more easily.
But my experience with a YashicaMat LM is that it flares readily if I shoot towards bright sunlight - this is even after a lens cleaning. A lens hood is a must for YashicaMats from what I've read elsewheres.
To answer your questions, when I first bought my Mat (eBay - blech!) it too didn't stay closed on bulb, and the slow speeds were wonky. I sent it to Mark Hama and specifically asked that he do a thorough CLA, address the bulb problem, and to clean the lens as necessary.
The camera came back a couple weeks later clean as a whistle. It works like a brand new camera now. He did not charge anything more that his usual CLA fee to address the shutter and haze. Fortunately the little lens haze I had on the elements was not fungus.
If you do send it in for a CLA, let the repairperson know about the bulb problem and hazy lens.
I heartedly recommmend Mark Hama, but do inquire about his current turn-around time. He is often extremely busy due to his reputation as being "da man" to CLA YashicaMats.
Good luck on getting your Mat working!
rt
Shooting directly into the sun after a CLA:
Thank you for your reply.
I will look into getting a lens hood.
I will definitely be getting a CLA regardless. I would love to send it to Mark Hama. I have heard his name brought up many times in my research. How much did he charge you if you don't mind me asking?
rtphotos
Established
PM sent regarding Mark Hama CLA fees.
Mr. Hama's website is here:
http://markhama.home.comcast.net/~markhama/
As for your hood, try to get the original YashicaMat one, or a Rollei. I'm using a generic plastic import and although the price was good, it pretty much sucks. It's too loose and I'm unable to use filters on the lens without taking off the hood.
rt