Canon LTM How to modify the takeup spool

Canon M39 M39 screw mount bodies/lenses
akptc

akptc

Shoot first, think later
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I have this cute little old Canon RF pictured below and would like to start using it but find myself deterred by the need to trim the film before loading. Is there a way to modify the spool or maybe insert a different spool into this body? Many thanks for your advice.

373213523_6ahYR-L.jpg
 
Cute??!! That's a serious piece of hardware! The reason for trimming the leader is to allow the film to more easily fit past the shutter curtain. Freehand trimming is easy with a pair of scissors.
 
The problem is not the take-up spool. Why would anyone design something so stupidly?

Without trimming, there is the risk -- only a risk, it may never happen, but it probably will -- that the film will not engage correctly on the advance sprockets; will lose a chip or two of film; and that chip will get into the works...

Cheers,

R.
 
akptc said:
Thanks a bunch for your replies. Time to go trim me some film I guess :)
Click to expand...

On the bright side: exactly how you trim is not very important. Allow 4 inches/10 cm of film from end of tongue to full width; continue at the same width as the existing tongue, more or less; sweep up across 1cm or 1/2 inch or so; and when you finally do sweep up to the cut, make sure it emerges BETWEEN film perforations.

I'll try to remember to check exact dimensions tomorrow (home from photokina today) but that should work.

Cheers,

R.
 
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Be thankful you have the Canon "Pop Up" spool.......while these are the BEST for loading, my *USER* LTM body has one inside to replace the original spool, they are more practial to use and load and unload easier and faster than normal and I still end up getting 1 or 2 extra photos by stretching the film.

Break out your sisscors!

Happy Shooting!

Tom
 
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another way...

another way...

There is another way.
Not sure if it's simpler though...
You need to unscrew the lens, open the camera shutter (B) and with your finger, help the film going in its place.
I must say that this worked for me with a leica III, I have no idea about the Canon cameras though.
Good luck
 
Believe it or not, today's stubby little leaders are a relatively recent thing. Back in the bad ol' days 35mm film came with a longer leader and didn't need any trimming to work in Canpon,Leica, Nicca, and similar bottom loading cameras.
 
Well, it wasn't too hard... I eyeballed a little less than 10 cm and trimmed the leader as suggested, the film grip on the spool is like new (it’s amazing how well these cameras have been preserved..) and it held the film firmly right off the bat. Winding is smooth, shutter sounds really nice, I think I will enjoy using this one! I am actually planning to make it a gift for my Dad at some point, but need to locate an original manual etc. I already have a case and flash coming in the mail :D
 
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Thank you VictorM! The PDF will come in handy and I am determined to hunt down the original II-F manual.. sure hope at least ebay remains immune Wall Street and does not suddenly crash... :)
 
Al Kaplan said:
Believe it or not, today's stubby little leaders are a relatively recent thing. Back in the bad ol' days 35mm film came with a longer leader and didn't need any trimming to work in Canpon,Leica, Nicca, and similar bottom loading cameras.
Click to expand...

I do believe you al, in fact when M4 came out the film leaders where still on the long side so you could push the film in and wind with no worries. That is why so many have problems misloading their M because they did not trim their film!:D

And of course there are shortcuts, some people use a piece of card to shield the shutter while stuffing the film in, others open the shutter to T and use their finger to guide the film in. My suggestion is that unless you really cant find cutting tools, it is always a better idea to trim, safer and faster.
 
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