Light leaks in your camera can ruin the photos you take. With just a few dollars and a little time, you can easily replace the seals yourself at home.
If your film camera has been around for a while, chances are, some parts of it might be better. This is especially true for light pads that prevent light from entering and damaging uncoated films. This week, Jonathan Paragas of the KingJvpes made an insightful video showing the process of replacing these seals.
The video shows Paragas picking up some self-adhesive foam from the local Walmart craft aisle. The great thing about a material like this is that it’s not only cheap, but readily available. When we got home, we found that with the help of a knife and a ruler, it was easy to cut small pieces of foam to fit into your camera body. A very useful point mentioned during the upgrade is not to worry if your camera door becomes a bit stiff at first. Paragas reassured us that the foam would settle if we closed the door for a few days, as it would help compress the foam. The fact that the door is a little tight suggests that the foam may be doing a good job of blocking out light. I know I’d rather have a door that’s a bit stiff and let no light in.
If you’re filming and haven’t thought too much about light seals yet, now might be a good time to check if any of your cameras would benefit from this affordable upgrade.
Ever replace a light seal? Do you have any other quick and easy DIY camera hack suggestions? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments section below.
