extra take up spool?

back alley

back alley

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what's the deal on takeup spools for the leica m3?

are they all the same for all m models?
what do they usually go for?
hard to find?

anyone have an extra one for the m3?

please help educate this leica noob!

joe
 
Some M2 and the M4 on...

Some M2 and the M4 on...

Hello:

Some M2, and the M4 on, have a pronged quickload system. A "fast load" non leitz system with a distinctive spool was also marketed. The *bay often has extra spools, except when you look for them.

yours
Frank
 
There's usually at least one or two on ebay. From what I've seen they usally go for at least $30 (which is why I was prepared to spend $40+ on that QL spool tonight).

I don't know if you're interested in them at all, but there's an M3/M2 rewind crank on ebay right now. Its a nifty little gadget to have if you can get it at a decent price.
 
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a rewind crank?
never gave it much thought...but i missed that auction in my nightly perusal.

i don't think i want to pay more than 25 bucks for a spool.
any hope for me?
 
The inexpensive spools won't fit in a Leica M3. I know from experience. The take up spool for the M3 has a small spring, that goes down every time you place the bottom plate on the camera.

Don Chatterton used to carry these spools for $19 a piece. I've seen them run at $40 and more on eBay. I have only one... and even though I wanted another, I've come to the realization that, if I had it, I'd lose it, so I'm happy with one.

You can always have your M3 converted to the "rapid load" system that other, later cameras had. In fact, Leica used to sell a DYI version. However, given the number of misloads that lack of knowledge of this system causes, you're better off without this kit, and with your single take-up spool, joe! :)

Sleep tight! :D
 
SolaresLarrave said:
You can always have your M3 converted to the "rapid load" system that other, later cameras had. In fact, Leica used to sell a DYI version. However, given the number of misloads that lack of knowledge of this system causes, you're better off without this kit, and with your single take-up spool, joe! :)
Click to expand...

I might do this modification down the road. I think I've read it costs about $200, which isn't too bad considering the quick load kit sells for at least $100 on ebay (and sometimes up to $150) and this is both permanent and quicker. I won't do this until I have my M2 "kit" finished (appropriate vintage 35, 50, and 90 Leica lenses).
 
kyle said:
I always see auctions for spools from Russian sellers. They say they fit "Zorki, Leica, etc". I can't verify if they work or not. They are dirt cheap, hough.
Click to expand...

The FED and the EARLY Zorki (Leica II copies) may share the same take-up spool but the later Zorki and the FED spools will not interchange. I have a FED spool that will fit at least up to a Leica IIIf but will not work in a Zorki-4 because the Zorki-4 shaft is very long and the diameter is too large to fit through the hole in the knurled grip portion. The Zorki-4 also has splines that are designed to accept the pins inside the spool and prevent the spool from turning freely. The proper Zorki-4 spool is designed for that camera.

Walker
 
Well, this thread encouraged me to go scrounging through my stuff. A while back I bought some take up spools for an old Zorki I had (I wasn't sure which type I had, so I bought a couple). I forgot I had them, but I was able to find the box tonight after reading this thread. Both metal spools that I have work for my M2. Neither work as smoothly as the actual M spool, though. As mentioned before, the M spool is spring-loaded, so the piece that you grab when taking out the spool gets pushed up by the base plate when it is on, and then pops out when you take the plate off, so that it is easily grabbed. The problem with the Russian spools is neither of these pieces are spring-loaded, making them difficult to reach. The first spool extends and compresses just like the M spool, except its not spring loaded, it merely 'sticks' into place. After you take the bottom plate off (while its in the "compressed" position) its difficult to get your fingers in there to pull it out (all I had to do was give the camera a quick shake and the piece slid down so that I could grab it). This spool is definitely useable, and the slight inconvenience is probably worth it considering the savings (you could buy 5 or 6 of these for the cost of one M spool). The second spool doesn't even have a sliding piece, so its very short and I had a hard time getting it out of the camera. I had to use a tiny allen wrench I had sitting next to me to pull it out. Although this one would work if I absolutely had to use it, it would not be worth buying.

Bottom line, the Russian spools will fit, they just aren't as easy to work with as the Leica spools. If there is a spring loaded Russian spool it should work just fine on the M.

This is the first type I described (useable)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=43479&item=7570391689

This is the second type I described (not useable)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=43479&item=7570356413
 
Joe--

Don Goldberg at Dag Camera has the spools for the M3. Check his website. I picked up a pair for my M3 almost 2 months ago at $30 each. They looked almost new! Pricey, but better than waiting forever on e*ay.
 
SolaresLarrave said:
Don Chatterton used to carry these spools for $19 a piece.
Click to expand...

Yeah, but when you order one, he sends you a hood for a 90 Elmar instead, and ignores your emails about the issue (though he's very quick to answer queries from another email address about an M6TTL he has for sale.) Finally, you have to get your credit card company to process a chargeback for the $19 (+ $10 shipping to mail an envelope with the hood/spool in it.)
 
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