fixing scratch on pressure plate/old camera

kaiy2k gave a great answer. I honestly think that there is some idiot that just comes into the Photography topics and just randomly votes thumbs down on the answers. I've seen topics where there would be no vote and no comments...and then suddenly 5 minutes later every single answer was given a thumbs down vote, for no reason. So don't take that too seriously.

I love old cameras, and especially rangefinder cameras. They're so simple and rugged, and there is just something so neat about using a real, antique mechanical film camera. I have a bunch of Argus rangefinder cameras...Argus C3, Argus C4, and C44. They all work great. And there is just something so neat about using a camera that was made LONG before I was born...and still works! (Heck, those cameras are even older than my parents!)

I honestly had no idea that a scratch on the pressure plate would affect the pictures, but it makes perfect sense now. If you can find a good scratch-resistant paint to use to paint over the scratch, that should help. I wonder if the paint they use on model kits might help? Try looking in a hobby shop. In fact, they have enamel paints that are made specifically for metal, so try that. And of course, also try looking in a camera shop to see if they have suggestions.

One website where you should DEFINITELY ask for help is Photo.net - it's free to join, and you can post a question on the forums. I'd recommend the "Classic Cameras" forum. Everyone there is really helpful, and I'm sure someone could give you a suggestion. I posted a question there about adjusting the rangefinder on one of my Argus cameras, and that same day I had about 12 answers, and a link to a website that had a diagram of the camera! So give it a try! I'm sure someone there could help you.

EDIT: Here is a direct link to the Classic Cameras forum at Photo.net, where you could post a question. You'll have to register first, but it's free. You might even try to do a search for "pressure plate" in the questions...maybe someone has already asked about this and found a solution.

http://photo.net/classic-cameras-forum/

Does the scratch expose bare metal? If so, the light reflecting back through the film could be a problem. If that is what is causing your problem, then repainting the pressure plate should fix your problem. You could probably use a gloss enamel spray paint.

Stickers butin your case, buy a new camera if you can't live to see the scratches.

Try a black "Sharpie Permanent Marker Pen".