Film Cutting Template of Barnack Leicas & Clones

cybershutterbug

cybershutterbug

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Anyone who is using an old Barnack style Leica or screw mount Leica clone that requires a long leader to load the film, might be interested in a wonderful plastic template for cutting the leader that I just bought on eBay. The template is $25 (USD), which is way under the old Leica metal ones that sell for upwards of $100 (USD) if you can find one. It holds the film solidly while cutting and works perfectly. I highly recommend it (and I have no affiliation with Photonbox which makes it). The template currently is available at:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Film-trimm...574381?hash=item23e63c6a2d:g:JSgAAOSwdjdZ-lFF
 
cybershutterbug said:
Anyone who is using an old Barnack style Leica or screw mount Leica clone that requires a long leader to load the film, might be interested in a wonderful plastic template for cutting the leader that I just bought on eBay. The template is $25 (USD), which is way under the old Leica metal ones that sell for upwards of $100 (USD) if you can find one. It holds the film solidly while cutting and works perfectly. I highly recommend it (and I have no affiliation with Photonbox which makes it). The template currently is available at:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Film-trimm...574381?hash=item23e63c6a2d:g:JSgAAOSwdjdZ-lFF
Click to expand...

I've never used a cutting guide for any bottom loader. I hear some people like them, but it does seem that folks on RFF so not find them all that useful.


I wasted some time and film getting the hang of loading my cameras...but once you figure out what you need to trim it seems to go without a hitch.
 
hap said:
...but once you figure out what you need to trim it seems to go without a hitch.
Click to expand...


I just cut it freehand with a small pair of scissors. You just need to widen the "scalloped" area by about three inches or probably less than that actually.
 
Twenty years ago if I'd seen this I would have jumped on it. But I'm like hap; I've learned over the years how to deal with it.

Thanks for posting it, I'm sure some will buy it.
 
I always used the scissors on my Swiss Army knife to trim the leader the full 10 sprocket holes. If I was out and about without a roll that I had already trimmed and didn't have my aforementioned knife, I've used whatever I could find and it's always worked. Even a thumbnail.

Phil Forrest
 
I've never had trouble doing the necessary cutting freehand either, but sometimes it does look pretty dodgy! Rather like a four year old got to hacking at the film with a dull knife ... :) So, I might splurge on this just to have more aesthetically pleasing leaders when I load my IIIc.
 
The advantage of the Leica branded one is not the leader so much. but cutting the arrow which you fasten into the Leica cassette spool. No way to do this in the dark and cheapos do not have the proper shape..
 
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25 bucks for plastic? I never used anything but scissors. Back in Soviet we have "do it by hands" lessons. Earlier grades learned how to use scissors. I have no problem to look at the primitive pattern and recreate it with scissors. Nor it has to be millimetres accurate.
 
Ronald M said:
The advantage of the Leica branded one is not the leader so much. but cutting the arrow which you fasten into the Leica cassette spool. No way to do this in the dark and cheapos do not have the proper shape..
Click to expand...

+1. If you use older Leica cassetes then the original Leica one is pretty handy. Have one myself and have use it once and again just for the experience.

Marcelo
 
So why not cut the leaders before you need to put the film in the camera ie do several rolls at once in preparation. Long leaders go just fine into non LTM cameras.
 
I've got both Photonbox units, and the only thing I don't care for is the fact there is no hinge, it's two separate pieces. I'm always dropping one piece or the other when using it. Might just go back to free hand cutting.


PF
 
I have a couple of the Leica film cutters and one other identical copy. I think they make a cleaner, nicer looking cut compared to using scissors. Then again I always misplace stuff and can never find them when I want them. So I end up using scissors or my pocket knife. In a pinch I've been known to take the lens off, set the shutter speed dial to time, and just thread an uncut film through the gate.
 
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