High5cameras.com: Guide to Replacing Light Seals

[Andreas Thaler]

Replacing sticky and crumbling light seals and mirror shock absorbers in an older camera is a classic DIY task.

It seems simple: the old foam comes out and new foam comes in.

But there are a few things that need to be taken into account to ensure that it works and the camera is not contaminated.

The tutorial from high5cameras.com on this topic is almost the best I have seen so far:

Guide to Replacing Light Seals

Want to know how to replace light seals? This simple guide to replacing light seals covers all types of seals with step by step pictures.

high5cameras.com

 

[RalphLambrecht]

I've completely given up on replacing light seals as in camera bodies and back doors because I was convinced that they are not bneccessary at all. I just get the old foam and adhesive out and then clean the grooves. Then, they are subsequently painted flat black and done! the grooves act like a perfect light trap thisway and last forever. It just works. The fewer parts any piece of equipment has; the better and more robust!

 

[BrianShaw]

I’m becoming more and more convinced that in some/many cases the foam/felt/yarn is dust sealing rather than light sealing.

Responding to the video... I agree with Andreas that it is complete, we;l-written/illustrated, and in my experience accurate. Only quibble I might have is the recommended use of spit rather than clean water. Spit can harbour all sorts of nasty biological stuff.

 

[Nopo]

This may be true for many medium format and older dslr cameras, such as the Spormatic or canon TX, but not for more modern dsrls such as the pentax P30 or ME, without changing the seals they are unusable. This is my personal experience.


Carlos

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

What about the old RB67 backs?

 

[BrianShaw]

This may be true for many medium format and older dslr cameras, such as the Spormatic or canon TX, but not for more modern dsrls such as the pentax P30 or ME, without changing the seals they are unusable. This is my personal experience.


Carlos

You make the greater point on this topic: it depends. Different camera designs are different!

 

[Nopo]

@BrianShaw You’re right.


Carlos

 

[CrisMar]

Thanks, very complete tutorial, what I needed for my Olympus :-D

 

[Andreas Thaler]

Thanks, very complete tutorial, what I needed for my Olympus :-D

 

[Bill Burk]

Not in the tutorial…

When fitting new seals, wet the tape with hand sanitizer.

That will allow you to position without it sticking to the sides of the grooves, and when it evaporates the glue will hold.