Light bleed - I need stitches STAT! - daytime long exposure

I knew light bleed can be an issue on some cameras, but hadn't run into it on my D5100. However, my D7100 bleeds light like you hit an artery. I know the instruction manual identifies this and that you should use the the included shield. My point in this post is not to bash on the camera, or Nikon, but to show others what it looks like so someone isn't trying to troubleshoot it in the field as I did before I remembered that this can happen and figured it out.

I still don't get it

WhiteLight said:

I still don't get it

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The D7100 will bleed light into the sensor area on a long exposure when the camera is sitting in full daylight. If you don't cover/seal the viewfinder from the light you will get the red banding in your photo.

Ah thanks..
Much better

Moab - did you make this image with the banding? If so, what precautions did you use to for the viewfinder?

Dave_W: Moab - did you make this image with the banding? If so, what precautions did you use to for the viewfinder?

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I didn't make the photo. The red banding came courtesy of my uncovered view finder. This was my first photo on the D7100 in broad daylight with long exposure and a neutral density filter. First I thought it was from my adjustable ND filter because I have vertical black banding when not used within its range.

Then I swapped lenses with no idea how that could have anything to do with it.

Finally, I remembered watching a video on super long daytime exposure and the photographer talked about possible light bleed. So I did a test shot with my thumb over the viewfinder and VOILA!... that was it.

So to take my shot, it's one of my 365 days, I stood there with my bank card over the viewfinder.

Unless the viewfinder is shut down tight, light will leak in. With that in mind, doesn't the D7100 have a viewfinder cover thingie that you pull the pin down and it brings down a light proof shutter? If I remember right, i think the D7000 had one...maybe?

Since you wrote in white on the area affected by the light bleed, it looks like an advertisement of some sort. It looks like the purple/pink/fuchsia was added post process.

That is interesting, I have never seen this in my D700. I take it the 5100 does not have eyepiece shutter blinds like the D700, though I have never used them.

D7000 doesn't have a built in eye piece cover. It comes with a slip on one though. The D700 does have a built in slide/cover. Saying that, I have never used either on either camera and have no problem with light leakage.

Moab Man said:

I knew light bleed can be an issue on some cameras, but hadn't run into it on my D5100. However, my D7100 bleeds light like you hit an artery. I know the instruction manual identifies this and that you should use the the included shield. My point in this post is not to bash on the camera, or Nikon, but to show others what it looks like so someone isn't trying to troubleshoot it in the field as I did before I remembered that this can happen and figured it out.


View attachment 42125

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Moab, thanks for that information! I appreciate it!

Pat in NH

I've gotten bleeding with every camera I have, so I'm surprised you don't have it with the D5100. I don't get it every time, just if I have direct light hitting the viewfinder. I don't necessarily have to cover it, only block that light source. Perhaps you've just been fortunate with the D5100 to have never had a direct light source hit the viewfinder? Stick an ND filter on there and shoot with the sun at your back and I bet it leaks.

I hate using the cover because it's such a pain to pop on and off, especially in situations where it can fall somewhere only to be swept away (water, docks, etc.).I'll usually just cup my hand over it (not touching the camera) or use a baseball cap.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!

Moab Man said:

So I did a test shot with my thumb over the viewfinder and WALLA that was it.

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Pet Peeve Alert!

The word is, voilà. It's French for "see there" or, more loosely, "there it is".




...

This can happen on any camera where the viewfinder is not covered. Thanks for letting us see the results though.

Dave_W said:

Unless the viewfinder is shut down tight, light will leak in. With that in mind, doesn't the D7100 have a viewfinder cover thingie that you pull the pin down and it brings down a light proof shutter? If I remember right, i think the D7000 had one...maybe?

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If only. The non-pro bodies don't have it, not the D7000 or D600. It's such a smart addition, but I guess they like to sell parts when folks lose the cover.

My 7100 came with a viewfinder insert, but it's like a hot-shoe cover: you have to insert it and remove it and it would be the easiest thing in the world to lose. I'm sure Nikon would be happy to sell me a replacement for $30, though, should I ever lose it.

Horoscope Fish said:

My 7100 came with a viewfinder insert, but it's like a hot-shoe cover: you have to insert it and remove it and it would be the easiest thing in the world to lose. I'm sure Nikon would be happy to sell me a replacement for $30, though, should I ever lose it.

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Yep, I am sure I have one for my 7100 and 5100... I should put then in a ziplock in my photo kit so I can at least find them!

Pat in NH

Re: Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!

Horoscope Fish said:

Pet Peeve Alert!

The word is, voilà. It's French for "see there" or, more loosely, "there it is".

...

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Maybe he was talking about the onion and just forgot the second "walla"? 'Cause them is some good onions (of course the word "onion" is pronounced with a heavy New Orleans accent ~ala Justin Wilson)

Re: Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!

Dave_W said:

Maybe he was talking about the onion and just forgot the second "walla"? 'Cause them is some good onions (of course the word "onion" is pronounced with a heavy New Orleans accent ~ala Justin Wilson)

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Great. Just... Great.

I've got that song stuck in my head now. You've heard it, right... The one about the girl named Vidalia?

Yeah, that one. I hope it gets stuck in YOUR head now.

Dave_W said:

Unless the viewfinder is shut down tight, light will leak in. With that in mind, doesn't the D7100 have a viewfinder cover thingie that you pull the pin down and it brings down a light proof shutter? If I remember right, i think the D7000 had one...maybe?

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​I wish it had the set up. I have to remove the eye piece and slide a clip in. Going to fabricate something easier to work with.