jonasv
has no mustache
...is how long it takes me to load my M4-P.
I was standing up straight, without putting anything down so it can be done anywhere, not just in ideal circumstances. In those nineteen seconds I opened the film box, opened the Leica, put in the film, advanced (once), closed the Leica again, advanced two more times until I was at frame one: ready to shoot. Upon trying it again I included rewinding and taking out the previous, full, 36-exposure roll: 29 seconds. And I only bought the camera recently, so I'm sure I can knock off a few more seconds with practice.
Before buying a Leica I was worried about the bottom loading, and it was actually one of my reasons for looking into the Bessa's. Now I know I can load my Leica faster than any back-loader (be it a rangefinder like the Bessa or a manual SLR), except maybe for the current AF SLR's with automatic loading which may be marginally faster (if the film picks up the right from the start, mine don't always do that).
I'm not much into the Leica-fanboyism and I like the camera for what it is, a photographic tool, so I really don't mean to put down other cameras. For most people a few seconds really don't matter anyway (and, to paraphrase Winogrand: there are no pictures when you're reloading).
The only reason for posting this is that it now strikes me that non-Leica users really have a wrong idea about the bottom loading. It's not comparable to any experiences with Soviet cameras, LTM Leicas, or maybe M2/M3's (without QL-kit). I can load my M4-P faster than I could load my Bessa. Just thought I'd share this bit of info for anyone interested in a Leica: don't believe everything you hear and try it out for yourself!
I was standing up straight, without putting anything down so it can be done anywhere, not just in ideal circumstances. In those nineteen seconds I opened the film box, opened the Leica, put in the film, advanced (once), closed the Leica again, advanced two more times until I was at frame one: ready to shoot. Upon trying it again I included rewinding and taking out the previous, full, 36-exposure roll: 29 seconds. And I only bought the camera recently, so I'm sure I can knock off a few more seconds with practice.
Before buying a Leica I was worried about the bottom loading, and it was actually one of my reasons for looking into the Bessa's. Now I know I can load my Leica faster than any back-loader (be it a rangefinder like the Bessa or a manual SLR), except maybe for the current AF SLR's with automatic loading which may be marginally faster (if the film picks up the right from the start, mine don't always do that).
I'm not much into the Leica-fanboyism and I like the camera for what it is, a photographic tool, so I really don't mean to put down other cameras. For most people a few seconds really don't matter anyway (and, to paraphrase Winogrand: there are no pictures when you're reloading).
The only reason for posting this is that it now strikes me that non-Leica users really have a wrong idea about the bottom loading. It's not comparable to any experiences with Soviet cameras, LTM Leicas, or maybe M2/M3's (without QL-kit). I can load my M4-P faster than I could load my Bessa. Just thought I'd share this bit of info for anyone interested in a Leica: don't believe everything you hear and try it out for yourself!
Xmas
Veteran
Jonas
You need to be aware the picture on the baseplate is for 40 below (cold cold) and normally you should use another 1" of film, the paper manual says this.
Some people still have problems with PET film bases which are thinner, dont fold the end of the film over if you have these problems, a damaged shutter is well expensive to have fixed.
Psssst this is a dark secret the 'M' man will be hanging around your front door to arrest you, in the am.
Noel
You need to be aware the picture on the baseplate is for 40 below (cold cold) and normally you should use another 1" of film, the paper manual says this.
Some people still have problems with PET film bases which are thinner, dont fold the end of the film over if you have these problems, a damaged shutter is well expensive to have fixed.
Psssst this is a dark secret the 'M' man will be hanging around your front door to arrest you, in the am.
Noel
ferider
Veteran
told you 
Takes me longer to load any "normal", open-back SLR (or my Bessas when I had them) than my M6.
Enjoy your M4P.
Roland.
Takes me longer to load any "normal", open-back SLR (or my Bessas when I had them) than my M6.
Enjoy your M4P.
Roland.
GeroV
Established
Jonas,
I just received my M4-P yesterday, and while I didn't time it, it certainly took no time at all to load the film. Can't wait to shoot the first roll and develop it
Enjoy yours
I just received my M4-P yesterday, and while I didn't time it, it certainly took no time at all to load the film. Can't wait to shoot the first roll and develop it
Enjoy yours
MadMan2k
Well-known
It takes me like 30-something seconds, I think.. haven't practiced much. The Canon is a lot faster with it's motor, just pop the rear door, angle the cassette in, pull the leader onto the spool, close the door, flip the power switch, wait 2 seconds, start shooting.
Turtle
Veteran
It certainly is not as slow as some say thats for sure, but in the speed and ease stakes my eos 3 is much quicker and involves less 'steps'. I have only had my MP a short while and do it as per leica instructions. I dont wind until I have replaced the baseplate to ensure that the film is correctly aligned before winding.