Cutting the film leader.

[AnthonyM]

I would like to know if it is really necessary to cut and taper the film leader 4 inches like some of the articles suggest.

Has anyone simply used the film without cutting it, as it comes from Illford or Kodak? Does the film cassette load without a problem right out of the box? I have a new (but disabled) IIIF and I have not tried loading it yet.

 

[VictorM.]

Yes. But cutting is easy with scissors. Just eyeball the length. Don't cut through a sprocket hole. Snip off sharp corners. Loading these old cameras is much easier than it sounds.

 

[sepiareverb]

I just got a iiif and cut the leader just like it comes from Ilford (I crinkled the film on my first attempt to load) and it seems to have loaded fine.

 

[cosmonaut]

I have only loaded three rolls in mine and yes cutting the leader is very easy. I just cut back twenty sprocket holes. Once you load the camera it becomes apparent why it needs cut.

 

[Glenn2]

If you want to get fancy there are devices which guide the cutting of the notch.
This is the Leitz version, but I hear copies are available from e-bay sources...

Glenn

 

[jobo]

Has anyone simply used the film without cutting it, as it comes from Illford or Kodak? Does the film cassette load without a problem right out of the box?

Yes, I tried. 😱
No, it didn't work...

2c, /J

 

[Nikon Bob]

The first time I tried to load a LTM with the film leader as supplied out of the box I had trouble and it left bits of broken film in the camera. I now cut the leader as recommended and have not had any further trouble. So, yes I would cut the leader even though some say it can be done without it.

Bob

 

[payasam]

I have loaded bottom loaders with film with untrimmed leaders, but it gets very fiddly. Far easier with a trimmed leader. If you don't feel confident with scissors or the point of a knife, there's the ABLON template pictured above. An eBay seller named lakesuwa sold affordable copies and maybe still does.

 

[MikeL]

I would like to know if it is really necessary to cut and taper the film leader 4 inches like some of the articles suggest.

Has anyone simply used the film without cutting it, as it comes from Illford or Kodak? Does the film cassette load without a problem right out of the box? I have a new (but disabled) IIIF and I have not tried loading it yet.

I know this is blasphemy, but I use a very thin stiff card made of paper (BART card, a transit ticket). I'm skeptical of internet 'wisdom', so I took apart two Leica IIIs and a Standard , and I didn't see anything that a thin cardboard card could damage that a piece of film couldn't as well. Would those in the know tell me which part is so fragile and can't take a very thin, stiff, and straight paper card?

I understand if you use something out of plastic or metal you could scratch the plate, but the plates on the ones I have are not going to be scratched by a stiff paper card. I've been using a card since I got my first one and not a scratch on the plate.

Just a single sample size sharing.

 

[foto_fool]

I have shot close to 30 rolls through my IIIf without ever cutting the leader. But I do remove the lens and hold the shutter open to allow proper positioning of the film on the upper sprockets.

 

[cmedin]

OK, I have to ask.

Leica recommends cutting the leader.
It's a very simple operation that takes all of 30 seconds out of your life.

...then why on god's green earth do people keep trying to figure out ways around it that can potentially damage the camera?

It just blows my mind.

 

[Nikon Bob]

OK, I have to ask.

Leica recommends cutting the leader.
It's a very simple operation that takes all of 30 seconds out of your life.

...then why on god's green earth do people keep trying to figure out ways around it that can potentially damage the camera?

It just blows my mind.

My thoughts exactly.

Bob

 

[MikeL]

The thing is made of metal. Both ways work. Both are quick. One takes scissors, one takes a little card. Why would this "blow you mind"?

 

[ruby.monkey]

I have tried loading my IIIf without cutting the leader; but, in all honesty, any method that worked reliably was far more hassle than just trimming the film.

Nowadays my IIIf sports a little Victorinox penknife dangling from one strap lug alongside the wrist strap.

 

[MikeL]

My IIIc is at Youxin's, Mike. Cann't wait to get it back ... 🙂

We should have a Barnack meet soon, and get Randy on board. 😉

 

[BillP]

The thing is made of metal. Both ways work. Both are quick. One takes scissors, one takes a little card. Why would this "blow you mind"?

Y'know, I have seen many Leitz ABLON and ABLON copies for sale over the years. I have never seen a Leitz CARDD...🙄

I don't care what other manufacturers did, recommended or supplied; Leitz intended the leader to be trimmed. It isn't difficult, it takes seconds, it works. Like other posters I have a Victorinox Mini Champ on my keyring for the purpose.

Regards,

Bill

 

[MikeL]

Hi Bill,
This is why I mentioned my statements above would be seen as blasphemy. I knew folks would rally and save those whose beliefs might be wavering from that which hath been written. I, however, am a sinner, and stuck in my ways. Save the others, and damn me to heck. I can't be helped. 😉

 

[BillP]

Hi Bill,
This is why I mentioned my statements above would be seen as blasphemy. I knew folks would rally and save those whose beliefs might be wavering from that which hath been written. I, however, am a sinner, and stuck in my ways. Save the others, and damn me to heck. I can't be helped. 😉

Lock yer windows, Mike, the Red Dotwraiths are comin' to claim your mortal soul... You are a sinner and you have incurred the wrath of Barnack! 😀

Regards,

Bill

 

[foto_fool]

Seems like those Dotwraiths are going to have some rich pickings out here in our neck of the woods 😀.

Rest a ya can keep yer scissors, Leitz trimming tools (and copies) and even yer cards. Taking the lens off and putting the shutter on B works fine, I'm getting 38-39 shots per roll, and I'm not leaving little bits of film laying around (which are classified as toxic waste in our State) :angel:.

 

[ZorkiKat]

The "business card" method has been used by many, for many years.
Some Barnack copies (Canon) even had a compartment in their ER case
to store the business card.

My IIIc is at Youxin's, Mike. Cann't wait to get it back ... 🙂

That compartment was made to hold little cards containing exposure cheatsheets, or exposure table cards, not cards for cheating the loading. 🙂

I've actually found a few of these cards with the exposure data/tables for films scribbled on them.