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[Ted Davis]

Light is leaking into this back. The streak is more pronounced when shooting outdoors. From observing where the streaks are on the film, light seems to be seeping through the light trap where the dark slide enters. How do I fix that? The two plates look sealed? Don't want to take them apart. Thanks.

[cgoff]

Just go to your local craft store and buy a sheet of self-stick black felt. Cut it into thin strips and apply it wherever you suspect light is getting into the back. for example, if you think the light is getting in at the darkslide entry slot, stick a strip of it on the darkslide handle so it touches the edge of the holder (does that make sense?).

I may be posting an article on bigcamera.com about light-proofing rollfilm backs soon. If you'd like a "beta" copy of the article, reply to this post with your email address, and I'll send it to you.

C. Goff
________
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[Ted Davis]

I figured it out. It wasn't a leak after all! Had something to do with the fact that today's film bases are thinner than when this back was designed. The 'light leak' only occured with B/W film, not ever with color, which is a thicker emulsion. I tested it with over ten rolls, alway's same results. Drove me nuts until I taped a 6x7 sheet of paper onto the plate itself under where the film w/backing lies, therefore making the film lie flatter. Rubbed a light coat of parrafin onto the paper so film would transport smoothly. It works great now. No more leaks! Hey look at me, I'm a Graflex '23' back fixer! I'm VERY expensive.