Introduction
Use this guide to replace the overused light seal for your Pentax Spotmatic. You will know if this piece needs to be replaced if you notice excessive light interfering with your photos, also known as light leaks. Light leaks may appear as red or white streaks in photos. The light seal itself is a thin foam-like piece that fits into the crevices of the camera and will block unwanted light from entering the camera. Over time, this foam hardens and becomes unusable and needs to be replaced.
Before using this guide, ensure that it is the light seal that needs to be replaced. Check if the light is obstructing your images, and if known where the light seal is located, check and see if the foam has hardened or diminished. If it is, then proceed with this guide.
What you need
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Ensure you are looking at the back of the camera.
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Move to the top of the camera that has the dials.
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Pull up the film rewind crank.
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The lever on the dial should be fully flipped.
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Holding onto the film rewind crank, pull up while holding down on the back part of the camera.
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Let go then the back of the camera should open up.
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Fully open the back section of the camera.
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Lay the camera down.
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Using any available paper, cut it to a size that will cover the area in the center.
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Lay the paper over the midsection, ensuring the screen-like part is covered.
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Grab a toothpick and move to the lower part of the camera. This lower part contains the space where the old light seal is stored.
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Hold the paper down with one hand. With the other hand, place a toothpick into the lower crevice and, while applying light force with the toothpick, move it to the opposite end, which will result in the breaking down and removal of the old light seal.
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Use toothpick or measuring device to get a good estimate of the crevice length.
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Use that measurement and replicate it onto the light seal sheet by placing that measurement over the sheet.
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Once the measurement is placed onto the sheet, cut using a box cutter. The width of the sheet should stay around a quarter inch.
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Peel the back of the foam to expose the sticky side.
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Place the sticky side over the entirety of the crevice.
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Using a toothpick, push the light seal into the crevice as deeply as possible.
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Work your way from the start all the way to the end.
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Using the same toothpick, move to the upper part of the camera. This upper part contains the space where the old light seal is stored
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Hold the paper down with one hand. With the other hand, place a toothpick into the upper crevice and, while applying light force with the toothpick, move it to the opposite end, which will result in the breaking down and removal of the old light seal.
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Use the same cutting process in step 6 to get the dimensions for the crevice the light seal will be placed into.
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Once the measurement is made and the sheet is cut, remove the back piece to expose the sticky side of the light seal.
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Apply the light seal starting from one end all the way to the other end.
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The finished result of the light seal should look like the image provided. It does not need to look perfect. The light seal just has to be covering the entire crevice.
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Prepare to close the camera. Move the back cover, so it is almost fully closed.
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Place a finger on top of the dial.
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Place a finger on the slightly open back cover of the camera.
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Press until cover is closed and you hear a click.
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Team
CSU Los Angeles, Team 5-73, Harris Spring 2026 Member of CSU Los Angeles, Team 5-73, Harris Spring 2026
CSULA-HARRIS-S26S5G73
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1 Guide authored
