D.i.y. Light Seals?

[Dave Green]

Hi all

I've just picked up a Nikkormat FTN in pretty good condition other than needing a battery and the light seals being none existent.

Has anyone any advice on replacing these and where to buy suitable foam? We have a "Range" here which was my initial thought.

Any advice on batteries too gratefully received. Assuming that I can get a 1.5v one to fit - and the original being 1.3v - do I compensate by underexposing by about half a stop? More?

 

[Kev Pugh]

@Dan Cattermole has done some of this light seal repair work, dans the man that can

 

[Dan Cattermole]

Who me?
No no no Kev..... I'm a destroyer! You wouldn't want any advice from me

Light seal repair is great fun and easy. I bought a pack of different self/non adhesive seal ranging between 1.5mm and 5mm thick, open cell foam, closed cell foam, and 'felt' like seal strips.

A good man once told me that closed cell foam may not be too clever on the hinged areas as it could cause too much strain on the catch..... Therefore IMO and having experienced open cell foam, it does work as efficiently with no drama. Isn't that right @Pete Askew?

Can't go wrong with this...
http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/380836724393?nav=SEARCH
And get some 3mm too just in case.....

I'd probably be inclined to get some batteries first and test out the metering before you go through all that time and effort applying the light seals, unless of course you too live on the edge.

Unfortunately, I don't know a great deal about the battery side of it, so I'll leave it to someone who knows what they're talking about.

 

[Kev Pugh]

See the man that can and he does it all in an air tight enclosure, his head that is.......you want to see hom tie his shoes laces in the dark wearing it too a sight to behold. Haha, sorry @Dave Green I'll leave the room now

 

[Pete Askew]

Open cell foam is definitely the way to go. @Hamish Gill is the battery man I reckon.

 

[Dave Green]

Thanks chaps

@Dan Cattermole - beltin' will get some 1.5mm and 3mm.

It's not the end of the world if I can't sort the battery - all it works is the meter and I have other means of doing that. Another camera maybe - or the trusty Sekonic.

 

[Hamish Gill]

Dave, please find all the possible answers to your battery woes within - http://www.35mmc.com/12/01/2014/adapting-a-675za-px625-replacement/

 

[Dave Green]

Dave, please find all the possible answers to your battery woes within - http://www.35mmc.com/12/01/2014/adapting-a-675za-px625-replacement/

Awesome

Ta muchly

 

[Dan Cattermole]

Boom! that was nice and easy

 

[Dave Green]

After some experimentation with my smaller sized hearing aid batteries - it seems the threaded battery cover may be FUBAR. Maybe the bigger battery will help. Maybe I can Duct tape it's ass into place. Maybe what I have is a manual exposure camera. Ce la vie

 

[Hamish Gill]

I've been looking for a plain prism for my old f2 ... If I want a meter, I'll use a more modern camera

 

[Dave Green]

^^^^^^ Good point