Pentax 6x7 and 67 Light Seals Kit

**gofour3** · 11-08-2013, 04:16 PM

If anyone is looking to replace the light seals on an older 6x7 or 67 body, then this site in Japan is a good option. You get two kits for $12US and this includes the foam for a pentaprism.

http://aki-asahi.com/store/html/Pentax67/LightSeal/Pentax67LightSeal.php

The shipping is $4US anywhere in the world and it took less than a week to arrive.

I replaced the foam on a loose fitting 6x7 regular prism and it now fits perfectly. The only issue is getting the old gooey foam off the prism, before applying the new foam. No glue is used and the foam has a sticky backing after you remove the tape.

Phil

Silent Street · 11-08-2013, 08:52 PM

Thanks for this link! I am looking at replacing the seal on my TTL prism and was wondering where and if such replacement foam was available. Ordered a pack just now.

How to get the old gunk off without making a dog's breakfast of the prism and fingers...? I thought of surgical adhesive removal wipes that chemists have...when I had surgery on my hand and they covered the site with super sticky, aggressive tape they used several wipes to ease the adhesive off gently and with no tears or tantrums at all (or swearing!). It's worth replacing the foam on the TTL prism as when it begins to disintegrate it releases tiny bits of "fluff" that make their way onto the focusing screen. I absolutely hate black spicks 'n specks in the viewfinder!!

**gofour3** · 11-08-2013, 11:04 PM

Those wipes sounds like a good idea. I used isopropyl alcohol applied with a q-tip, to soften the old seals. Then I used a tooth pick or my finger nail to scrape the loose goop off, then a paper towel with a bit more alcohol to clean up the surface.

Thank goodness the glass part of the prism is slightly raised with a rim, so the job was fairly easy and no prints or goop got on the glass.

Phil.

Silent Street · 11-09-2013, 03:34 PM

Did you notice in the video that he is applying foam to the focusing screen dash on the camera rather than the base of the pentaprism, as you have described? The significance of what he is doing is not known — it's not something that came across as normal; I suspect doing it that way would not allow the prism to sit or lock correctly.

The adhesive removal wipes I mentioned (I have 7 left from the batch they gave me) have siloxanes (silicone-based) as their active solvent; isopropyl alcohol stings badly and can dry the skin. Of course, the pentaprism of the 67 shouldn't mind a sting here and there, but I'll be gentle!

revdocjim · 11-09-2013, 04:10 PM

Like how he lets the camera fall over in the video? Probably good there is no sound track!

Silent Street · 11-09-2013, 05:48 PM

Originally posted by revdocjim

Like how he lets the camera fall over in the video? Probably good there is no sound track!

Oh, a falling 67 is the least of his concerns; in one fleeting scene he appears to stab the shutter curtain with his thumb...

**gofour3** · 11-09-2013, 08:33 PM

Originally posted by Silent Street

Did you notice in the video that he is applying foam to the focusing screen dash on the camera rather than the base of the pentaprism, as you have described? The significance of what he is doing is not known — it's not something that came across as normal; I suspect doing it that way would not allow the prism to sit or lock correctly.

The adhesive removal wipes I mentioned (I have 7 left from the batch they gave me) have siloxanes (silicone-based) as their active solvent; isopropyl alcohol stings badly and can dry the skin. Of course, the pentaprism of the 67 shouldn't mind a sting here and there, but I'll be gentle!

Yep the prism foam can be used on a camera body around the focus screen or on a prism as they are the same size.

For my 6x7 body the screen foam was still ok as a newer 67 prism fit fine and did not move. I tested the loose 6x7 prism on my 67 and it was also loose. So for me I just needed to replace the foam on the prism itself.

Phil.

Silent Street · 11-09-2013, 09:42 PM

Originally posted by gofour3

Yep the prism foam can be used on a camera body around the focus screen or on a prism as they are the same size.

For my 6x7 body the screen foam was still ok as a newer 67 prism fit fine and did not move. I tested the loose 6x7 prism on my 67 and it was also loose. So for me I just needed to replace the foam on the prism itself.

Phil.

There is no evidence of foam on the focusing screen dash of my 67. Interesting that the foam can be placed either there or on the prism (but probably not both?) Is there meant to be foam here additional to the foam seal on the TTL prism?
I plan only on replacing the foam on the prism.

**gofour3** · 11-09-2013, 11:44 PM

Originally posted by Silent Street

There is no evidence of foam on the focusing screen dash of my 67. Interesting that the foam can be placed either there or on the prism (but probably not both?) Is there meant to be foam here additional to the foam seal on the TTL prism?
I plan only on replacing the foam on the prism.

Yeah you are right, none on my 67 but my 6x7 does. Must be one of the changes made when the 67 was released.

Phil.

Silent Street · 11-10-2013, 01:06 AM

Originally posted by gofour3

Yeah you are right, none on my 67 but my 6x7 does. Must be one of the changes made when the 67 was released.

Phil.

He was using an old Asahi Pentax body in the video so it seems a probable hypothesis that when the 6x7 was re-engineered into the 67, Pentax decided to get by with foam on the underside of the prism. After all, imagine the diorama and tantrums of getting sticky foam debris on the focusing screen (!). One of my friends has an Asahi-Pentax/Honeywell 6x7 body so will have a look at what's under the hood. The prism, sorry...

Substitute · 01-30-2014, 09:30 AM

I bought that kit and found that the seals did not stick properly to the door. Has anyone else encountered any such thing?

Silent Street · 01-30-2014, 08:17 PM

Originally posted by Substitute

I bought that kit and found that the seals did not stick properly to the door. Has anyone else encountered any such thing?

Which part of the door? The door-length groove or... ?
You need to press the seal down as you move along. If all trace of residue from the old seals is not removed (and this is the tricky and gooey part...), there is a strong likelihood of uneven seating of the new seal. I have two sets of the 67 light seal kit and was working pretty full-on with just the pentaprism alone, fearful of balsing the job up because of the extremely fiddly nature: it's quite labour-intensive; can't speak of the light seals for the door but looking at the extremely narrow space I think I would shy away from that job.

11-08-2013, 04:16 PM	#1
gofour3 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 8,090	Pentax 6x7 and 67 Light Seals Kit If anyone is looking to replace the light seals on an older 6x7 or 67 body, then this site in Japan is a good option. You get two kits for $12US and this includes the foam for a pentaprism. http://aki-asahi.com/store/html/Pentax67/LightSeal/Pentax67LightSeal.php The shipping is $4US anywhere in the world and it took less than a week to arrive. I replaced the foam on a loose fitting 6x7 regular prism and it now fits perfectly. The only issue is getting the old gooey foam off the prism, before applying the new foam. No glue is used and the foam has a sticky backing after you remove the tape. Phil

11-08-2013, 08:52 PM	#2
Silent Street Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Castlemaine, Victoria, AUS Photos: Albums Posts: 1,151	Thanks for this link! I am looking at replacing the seal on my TTL prism and was wondering where and if such replacement foam was available. Ordered a pack just now. How to get the old gunk off without making a dog's breakfast of the prism and fingers...? I thought of surgical adhesive removal wipes that chemists have...when I had surgery on my hand and they covered the site with super sticky, aggressive tape they used several wipes to ease the adhesive off gently and with no tears or tantrums at all (or swearing!). It's worth replacing the foam on the TTL prism as when it begins to disintegrate it releases tiny bits of "fluff" that make their way onto the focusing screen. I absolutely hate black spicks 'n specks in the viewfinder!! Last edited by Silent Street; 11-08-2013 at 09:00 PM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Pentax 645 and 6X7 or 67 lenses to PK	Adk X	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	8	04-25-2012 03:24 PM
For Sale - Sold: Pentax 67 and 6x7 bodies	Thomas	Sold Items	2	05-23-2011 08:54 AM
For Sale - Sold: Pentax 67 6x7 grip and strap	JeffJS	Sold Items	6	02-17-2010 09:45 AM
Pentax 67II vs 6x7\67 with handheld light meter	iunno	Pentax Medium Format	13	11-06-2009 12:07 AM

11-08-2013, 11:04 PM	#3
gofour3 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 8,090 Original Poster	Those wipes sounds like a good idea. I used isopropyl alcohol applied with a q-tip, to soften the old seals. Then I used a tooth pick or my finger nail to scrape the loose goop off, then a paper towel with a bit more alcohol to clean up the surface. Thank goodness the glass part of the prism is slightly raised with a rim, so the job was fairly easy and no prints or goop got on the glass. Phil.

11-09-2013, 03:34 PM	#4
Silent Street Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Castlemaine, Victoria, AUS Photos: Albums Posts: 1,151	Did you notice in the video that he is applying foam to the focusing screen dash on the camera rather than the base of the pentaprism, as you have described? The significance of what he is doing is not known — it's not something that came across as normal; I suspect doing it that way would not allow the prism to sit or lock correctly. The adhesive removal wipes I mentioned (I have 7 left from the batch they gave me) have siloxanes (silicone-based) as their active solvent; isopropyl alcohol stings badly and can dry the skin. Of course, the pentaprism of the 67 shouldn't mind a sting here and there, but I'll be gentle!

11-09-2013, 04:10 PM	#5
revdocjim Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Mt. Akagi, Gunma Prefecture Posts: 374	Like how he lets the camera fall over in the video? Probably good there is no sound track!

11-09-2013, 05:48 PM	#6
Silent Street Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Castlemaine, Victoria, AUS Photos: Albums Posts: 1,151	Originally posted by revdocjim Like how he lets the camera fall over in the video? Probably good there is no sound track! Oh, a falling 67 is the least of his concerns; in one fleeting scene he appears to stab the shutter curtain with his thumb...

11-09-2013, 08:33 PM	#7
gofour3 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 8,090 Original Poster	Originally posted by Silent Street Did you notice in the video that he is applying foam to the focusing screen dash on the camera rather than the base of the pentaprism, as you have described? The significance of what he is doing is not known — it's not something that came across as normal; I suspect doing it that way would not allow the prism to sit or lock correctly. The adhesive removal wipes I mentioned (I have 7 left from the batch they gave me) have siloxanes (silicone-based) as their active solvent; isopropyl alcohol stings badly and can dry the skin. Of course, the pentaprism of the 67 shouldn't mind a sting here and there, but I'll be gentle! Yep the prism foam can be used on a camera body around the focus screen or on a prism as they are the same size. For my 6x7 body the screen foam was still ok as a newer 67 prism fit fine and did not move. I tested the loose 6x7 prism on my 67 and it was also loose. So for me I just needed to replace the foam on the prism itself. Phil.

11-09-2013, 09:42 PM	#8
Silent Street Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Castlemaine, Victoria, AUS Photos: Albums Posts: 1,151	Originally posted by gofour3 Yep the prism foam can be used on a camera body around the focus screen or on a prism as they are the same size. For my 6x7 body the screen foam was still ok as a newer 67 prism fit fine and did not move. I tested the loose 6x7 prism on my 67 and it was also loose. So for me I just needed to replace the foam on the prism itself. Phil. There is no evidence of foam on the focusing screen dash of my 67. Interesting that the foam can be placed either there or on the prism (but probably not both?) Is there meant to be foam here additional to the foam seal on the TTL prism? I plan only on replacing the foam on the prism.

11-09-2013, 11:44 PM	#9
gofour3 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 8,090 Original Poster	Originally posted by Silent Street There is no evidence of foam on the focusing screen dash of my 67. Interesting that the foam can be placed either there or on the prism (but probably not both?) Is there meant to be foam here additional to the foam seal on the TTL prism? I plan only on replacing the foam on the prism. Yeah you are right, none on my 67 but my 6x7 does. Must be one of the changes made when the 67 was released. Phil.

11-10-2013, 01:06 AM	#10
Silent Street Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Castlemaine, Victoria, AUS Photos: Albums Posts: 1,151	Originally posted by gofour3 Yeah you are right, none on my 67 but my 6x7 does. Must be one of the changes made when the 67 was released. Phil. He was using an old Asahi Pentax body in the video so it seems a probable hypothesis that when the 6x7 was re-engineered into the 67, Pentax decided to get by with foam on the underside of the prism. After all, imagine the diorama and tantrums of getting sticky foam debris on the focusing screen (!). One of my friends has an Asahi-Pentax/Honeywell 6x7 body so will have a look at what's under the hood. The prism, sorry...

01-30-2014, 09:30 AM	#11
Substitute Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: NOLA Posts: 396	I bought that kit and found that the seals did not stick properly to the door. Has anyone else encountered any such thing?

01-30-2014, 08:17 PM	#12
Silent Street Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Castlemaine, Victoria, AUS Photos: Albums Posts: 1,151	Originally posted by Substitute I bought that kit and found that the seals did not stick properly to the door. Has anyone else encountered any such thing? Which part of the door? The door-length groove or... ? You need to press the seal down as you move along. If all trace of residue from the old seals is not removed (and this is the tricky and gooey part...), there is a strong likelihood of uneven seating of the new seal. I have two sets of the 67 light seal kit and was working pretty full-on with just the pentaprism alone, fearful of balsing the job up because of the extremely fiddly nature: it's quite labour-intensive; can't speak of the light seals for the door but looking at the extremely narrow space I think I would shy away from that job.