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Todd Adamson · 03-23-2011, 02:51 PM

Ran a test roll through the camera, so these are just kinda boring snaps. But I found out:

1. that center-weighted metering actually works, LOL
2. I like TMax 400 (I didn't think I was supposed to) --nvm, I just realized this was Tri-X, not TMax.
3. This old Pentax A 50/1.7, which I bought months ago and have never used, is pretty sweet

One question, since I have so little experience with film: I notice the edges here are bright. Most noticeable in the water valve shot, but present throughout the roll. Is that an issue with the camera, or the film, or something else?

Last edited by Todd Adamson; 03-24-2011 at 09:39 AM.

DanWeso · 03-23-2011, 03:30 PM

Those are some very nice shots. I just got my 'new to me' MX and can't wait to spin a roll of film through it. Sorry I can't answer your question, but am interested what others have to say.

Ole · 03-23-2011, 03:53 PM

Regarding the bright edges - perhaps due to a light leak. The original seals in the camera back are long since gone and the previous owner may not have replaced them.

Todd Adamson · 03-23-2011, 04:27 PM

Originally posted by DanWeso

Those are some very nice shots. I just got my 'new to me' MX and can't wait to spin a roll of film through it.

Thanks! I suspect you'll love it. This is a great camera.

Originally posted by Ole

Regarding the bright edges - perhaps due to a light leak. The original seals in the camera back are long since gone and the previous owner may not have replaced them.

Thank you, that's what I am wondering, if a light leak would show those symptoms. The seals have never been replaced, so it would be unsurprising. I plan to send it to Eric for a CLA. But I was thinking if it wasn't leaking now, I'd do some shooting with it first. But if this looks like leaky seals, I'll be sending it off soon!

GeneV · 03-23-2011, 08:01 PM

Originally posted by Todd Adamson

Thanks! I suspect you'll love it. This is a great camera.

Thank you, that's what I am wondering, if a light leak would show those symptoms. The seals have never been replaced, so it would be unsurprising. I plan to send it to Eric for a CLA. But I was thinking if it wasn't leaking now, I'd do some shooting with it first. But if this looks like leaky seals, I'll be sending it off soon!

A CLA is always a good idea when you first get the camera, but unless I'm going blind, there is only one of those shots that really looks like a serious light leak.

stevebrot · 03-23-2011, 08:22 PM

Originally posted by Todd Adamson

that's what I am wondering, if a light leak would show those symptoms.

I think not. A light leak from the door seal would extend beyond the edge of the frame and the edge on your image is nicely black. I suspect an issue with development (agitation?). Do you see the excess density on the negative under visual examination?

Steve

Todd Adamson · 03-24-2011, 09:36 AM

Thanks, you guys. Another person I asked mentioned that it looked like a potential agitation issue. I do see a tinge of darkness at the edges in some areas.....maybe my imagination...

At any rate I'll be contacting Eric soon.

BTW I made a mistake in the first post, which I'll go back and edit: this was actually NOT TMax, but rather Tri-X.

eddie1960 · 03-24-2011, 09:50 AM

I think agitation is probably the issue Todd. Light leaks are consistent for the most part with the exception of winding of multiple frames back to back where the leak may not be as noticeable on some frames but the first an last frame in the series would show it noticeably.

when diagnosing a leak any issue on the bottom of the pic originates at the top of the camera remember (and vise versa). even with a leak it's easy enough to cover the suspect area with electrical tape and shoot until you send off for a CLA or order a seal kit and DIY if everything else seems to be working
some electrical tape in the suspect areas next roll would confirm a leak in an case (my holga leaks like crazy but electrical tape eliminates most of it, one of my FEDs the same and tape was the solution)

eddie1960 · 03-24-2011, 09:51 AM

btw the shots are quite good and definitely a step above a snapshot i think
I like the clock and the shutoff valve in particular

Nesster · 03-24-2011, 12:05 PM

Excellent results there -
apart from development artifacts - I'd suggest the reel does something - other possible causes include artifacts from scanning, or something going on with the vertical shutter sometimes.

stevebrot · 03-24-2011, 08:38 PM

Originally posted by Nesster

something going on with the vertical shutter sometimes.

Jussi, I wondered about shutter lag as well, but then it struck me...Pentax MX...horizontal shutter...

Steve

Nesster · 03-25-2011, 02:12 AM

Originally posted by stevebrot

Jussi, I wondered about shutter lag as well, but then it struck me...Pentax MX...horizontal shutter...

Steve

Well right you are, and I thought so too, only I fell victim to Internet Fact Checking where someone had a bum comparison of a MX and an OM.

Goes to show...

Todd Adamson · 03-25-2011, 09:06 AM

Great info, thanks to everyone. I just scanned my second roll, some expired Portra 160NC, and there were no light artifacts, so I'm thinking it was definitely a developing issue.

03-23-2011, 02:51 PM	#1
Todd Adamson Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Iowa Posts: 722	Shots from my "new" MX Ran a test roll through the camera, so these are just kinda boring snaps. But I found out: 1. that center-weighted metering actually works, LOL 2. I like TMax 400 (I didn't think I was supposed to) --nvm, I just realized this was Tri-X, not TMax. 3. This old Pentax A 50/1.7, which I bought months ago and have never used, is pretty sweet One question, since I have so little experience with film: I notice the edges here are bright. Most noticeable in the water valve shot, but present throughout the roll. Is that an issue with the camera, or the film, or something else? Last edited by Todd Adamson; 03-24-2011 at 09:39 AM.

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03-23-2011, 03:30 PM	#2
DanWeso Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Buffalo, NY Photos: Albums Posts: 191	Those are some very nice shots. I just got my 'new to me' MX and can't wait to spin a roll of film through it. Sorry I can't answer your question, but am interested what others have to say.

03-23-2011, 03:53 PM	#3
Ole Administrator Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,409	Regarding the bright edges - perhaps due to a light leak. The original seals in the camera back are long since gone and the previous owner may not have replaced them.

03-23-2011, 04:27 PM	#4
Todd Adamson Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Iowa Posts: 722 Original Poster	Originally posted by DanWeso Those are some very nice shots. I just got my 'new to me' MX and can't wait to spin a roll of film through it. Thanks! I suspect you'll love it. This is a great camera. Originally posted by Ole Regarding the bright edges - perhaps due to a light leak. The original seals in the camera back are long since gone and the previous owner may not have replaced them. Thank you, that's what I am wondering, if a light leak would show those symptoms. The seals have never been replaced, so it would be unsurprising. I plan to send it to Eric for a CLA. But I was thinking if it wasn't leaking now, I'd do some shooting with it first. But if this looks like leaky seals, I'll be sending it off soon!

03-23-2011, 08:01 PM	#5
GeneV Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Albuquerque NM Photos: Albums Posts: 9,830	Originally posted by Todd Adamson Thanks! I suspect you'll love it. This is a great camera. Thank you, that's what I am wondering, if a light leak would show those symptoms. The seals have never been replaced, so it would be unsurprising. I plan to send it to Eric for a CLA. But I was thinking if it wasn't leaking now, I'd do some shooting with it first. But if this looks like leaky seals, I'll be sending it off soon! A CLA is always a good idea when you first get the camera, but unless I'm going blind, there is only one of those shots that really looks like a serious light leak.

03-23-2011, 08:22 PM	#6
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by Todd Adamson that's what I am wondering, if a light leak would show those symptoms. I think not. A light leak from the door seal would extend beyond the edge of the frame and the edge on your image is nicely black. I suspect an issue with development (agitation?). Do you see the excess density on the negative under visual examination? Steve

03-24-2011, 09:36 AM	#7
Todd Adamson Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Iowa Posts: 722 Original Poster	Thanks, you guys. Another person I asked mentioned that it looked like a potential agitation issue. I do see a tinge of darkness at the edges in some areas.....maybe my imagination... At any rate I'll be contacting Eric soon. BTW I made a mistake in the first post, which I'll go back and edit: this was actually NOT TMax, but rather Tri-X.

03-24-2011, 09:50 AM	#8
eddie1960 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,667	I think agitation is probably the issue Todd. Light leaks are consistent for the most part with the exception of winding of multiple frames back to back where the leak may not be as noticeable on some frames but the first an last frame in the series would show it noticeably. when diagnosing a leak any issue on the bottom of the pic originates at the top of the camera remember (and vise versa). even with a leak it's easy enough to cover the suspect area with electrical tape and shoot until you send off for a CLA or order a seal kit and DIY if everything else seems to be working some electrical tape in the suspect areas next roll would confirm a leak in an case (my holga leaks like crazy but electrical tape eliminates most of it, one of my FEDs the same and tape was the solution)

03-24-2011, 09:51 AM	#9
eddie1960 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,667	btw the shots are quite good and definitely a step above a snapshot i think I like the clock and the shutoff valve in particular

03-24-2011, 12:05 PM	#10
Nesster Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: NJ USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 13,072	Excellent results there - apart from development artifacts - I'd suggest the reel does something - other possible causes include artifacts from scanning, or something going on with the vertical shutter sometimes.

03-24-2011, 08:38 PM	#11
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by Nesster something going on with the vertical shutter sometimes. Jussi, I wondered about shutter lag as well, but then it struck me...Pentax MX...horizontal shutter... Steve

03-25-2011, 02:12 AM	#12
Nesster Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: NJ USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 13,072	Originally posted by stevebrot Jussi, I wondered about shutter lag as well, but then it struck me...Pentax MX...horizontal shutter... Steve Well right you are, and I thought so too, only I fell victim to Internet Fact Checking where someone had a bum comparison of a MX and an OM. Goes to show...

03-25-2011, 09:06 AM	#13
Todd Adamson Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Iowa Posts: 722 Original Poster	Great info, thanks to everyone. I just scanned my second roll, some expired Portra 160NC, and there were no light artifacts, so I'm thinking it was definitely a developing issue.

Shots from my "new" MX

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