Serious light leak on the D7100

MartinCornwall

Senior Member
Hi all, was out with my ND10 doing some long exposures and got this purple band through the middle of all the images. I know that this is light leak from not covering the viewfinder (I found that I didn't need to on my old D7000) so I didn't bother on my D7100, big mistake. I've got about 30 images and some better ones on the beach with the water flowing through the rocks. I process my files in Lightroom but have dabbled a bit in my old copy of PS CS2. I was wondering if this could be sorted out in post on the RAW files in Lightroom or PS? Or would it be easier to walk back down there and shoot again. Although that seems like the easy option the foreground rocks on the beach are only viable for 30 mins on each tide and it needs to be sunny with the right size swell and not much wind. Any help on PP if possible on this would be appreciated.

PS yes I know it's time for a sensor clean :friendly_wink:

DSC_4177.jpg
 

Skwaz

Senior Member
Maybe worrying too much
I've had two nd10, getting a second after purple banding on the first , not the most expensive filters
After reading something on this forum I tried taking the setting back a little from max , by the way is yours a variable
filter , the trouble I had was any shots at max density , no probs turning back a touch
hope this helps
 

480sparky

Senior Member
It's not a 'serious light leak'. EVERY DSLR does this. So you either get a cover, or pony up for a top-end body that has a built-in VF shutter. This is why there's one of these that came with your D7100:

2380_DK-5-Eyepiece-Shield_front.png
 

adox66

Senior Member
I'd disagree that every dslr does it. I had a D3200 before the D7100 and never covered the viewfinder, even with 10 minute exposures.

I cant ant think of any of the Canon users in our small photo group that have to cover their viewfinder or get any noticable light leek.

I use use the little cover that came with the camera. If I know I'm going out doing landscapes I just put it on first befor leaving, as I'll use live view for the shots anyway.
 

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
I just toss my hiking towel over the VF when I'm doing long exposure shots like that.

And 480sparky is correct that any DSLR can have this issue. I've seen Canon's do it, I've seen Leica's do it.

All that's required for this to happen is the right set of circumstances.
....
 

MartinCornwall

Senior Member
It's not a 'serious light leak'. EVERY DSLR does this. So you either get a cover, or pony up for a top-end body that has a built-in VF shutter. This is why there's one of these that came with your D7100:

2380_DK-5-Eyepiece-Shield_front.png


I did quote in my OP that it was light leak from the viewfinder and this wasn't the issue of the post. The issue was if this was fixable in PP on the RAW files?


 
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MartinCornwall

Senior Member
Maybe worrying too much
I've had two nd10, getting a second after purple banding on the first , not the most expensive filters
After reading something on this forum I tried taking the setting back a little from max , by the way is yours a variable
filter , the trouble I had was any shots at max density , no probs turning back a touch
hope this helps

It's a normal ND10 and no problems on my D7000 I guess I will just cover the eyepiece with the provided cover.
 

480sparky

Senior Member
I did quote in my OP that it was light leak from the viewfinder and this wasn't the issue of the post. The issue was if this was fixable in PP on the RAW files?



I guess that would depend on your post skills. It also would depend on what level of correction you're willing to accept.

I've tried correcting things like this for other people, but I always get, "Yeah, thanks for trying. But it's not what I'm looking for." Without knowing what, exactly, they're 'looking for', it's impossible for someone else to do for them.

And you also have to weigh the difference between a reshoot and spending time at the computer.
 
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MartinCornwall

Senior Member
You might be able to fix it when you use PS but personally I think reshooting them will be easier. You need to adjust the colors to match the rest which will never be perfect.
[MENTION=31330]J-see[/MENTION] That was my thinking as my PS skills are not up to scratch. And another walk to the beach is much more desirable than being stuck in front of the computer trying to correct them
 

adox66

Senior Member
I've no doubt in my mind that the D7100 is much more susceptible to light leak than other models. As I said previously, I shoot a lot of long exposures and never had to cover the viewfinder on my D3200. Some members in our camera group have been shooting with the likes of 6Ds etc for years and never cover the viewfinder
 

J-see

Senior Member
@J-see That was my thinking as my PS skills are not up to scratch. And another walk to the beach is much more desirable than being stuck in front of the computer trying to correct them

I gave it a quick try but as quickly threw in the towel. I don't really know what the colors should be like and it'll be a load of work getting it right.

Here's my feeble (unfinished) attempt:

DSC_4177.jpg

That's the easy part I was working at.
 

MartinCornwall

Senior Member
@480sparky When I replied to your post there was only the one sentence? But now I can read it all. I just wanted to see if there was an easy way of getting rid of the purple banding along the center of the photo, but I guess I can wait for the tide and weather conditions to be right again and re-shoot. Lucky it is only a 4 minute drive or 20 minute walk :cool:
 

adox66

Senior Member
@J-see That was my thinking as my PS skills are not up to scratch. And another walk to the beach is much more desirable than being stuck in front of the computer trying to correct them


When i first got my D7100 and noticed the issue, I tried to rectify it in PP(Lightroom) but gave up after a few minutes.

The little plastic cover that comes with it works great. Very small though so very easy to lose.
 
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MartinCornwall

Senior Member
I gave it a quick try but as quickly threw in the towel. I don't really know what the colors should be like and it'll be a load of work getting it right.

Here's my feeble (unfinished) attempt:

View attachment 168554

That's the easy part I was working at.
[MENTION=31330]J-see[/MENTION] Thanks for the attempt. Looks like the part of the sea is corrected but the headland is off colour. Your PS skills will be much better than mine as well. So it looks like a re shoot as I have about 30 different files. Thanks again for the effort.
 

480sparky

Senior Member
@480sparky When I replied to your post there was only the one sentence? But now I can read it all. I just wanted to see if there was an easy way of getting rid of the purple banding along the center of the photo, but I guess I can wait for the tide and weather conditions to be right again and re-shoot. Lucky it is only a 4 minute drive or 20 minute walk :cool:

That's 'cuz I edited it.

I would first try a Fuzzy Selection of the affected area, then adjust the hue.
 
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