eli griggs
Well-known
Can someone with a Leica film trimmer scan it opened up and send me a copy of the file? I want to try my hand at making my own out of some nice brass sheet and piano hinge and this would help speed things alone.
Bill58
Native Texan
Camera tech guy Mark Hama in GA has some good Taiwan- made ones you can buy. they are copies of the Leica ABLON. I had 2 and they really worked well.
sig
Well-known
this should give you an good starting point at least: http://jay.fedka.com/index_files/Page345.htm
Leigh Youdale
Well-known
Don't bother. Tried the same thing myself. It worked - after a fashion - but eventually I worked out where and what I had to cut, found a small pair of nail scissors and cut the leaders by hand.
Just as quick and there were less nasty snags compared to trying to cut it with a knife.
Just as quick and there were less nasty snags compared to trying to cut it with a knife.
greyelm
Malcolm
250swb
Well-known
In another world people would happily guesstimate cutting a leader with a pair of scissors, as Leigh has said. But in 'Leicaworld' to the job it involves a lot of phaff and gadgets and bandwidth. Why?
Steve
Steve
PMCC
Late adopter.
Because to travel well is better than to arrive?
David Hughes
David Hughes
Hi,
Experience tells me it's a lot faster and far better with the gadget.
Regards, David
peterm1
Veteran
I agree. I have used the nail scissors, guess and pray method quite often only to find its too easy to cut through a film notch or put slightly too much curve on the bend, or accidentally place a nick in the leader and then have the film tear as you are winding it on. You are then left with a hell-scene situation of trying to remove a torn film from the base of a camera without damaging the shutter curtain - which believe me is very easy to do. Use a template if you can get one and be thankful especially if you are a butter fingers like me.
Mark Wood
Well-known
Sparrow
Veteran
No need to guess, the length one trims off is the width of my hand ... snip, snip and Bob's your aunt ...
sykotec
Well-known
I've been using the 'load with the shutter open on T' method instead of trimming leaders for awhile now, and it's great - especially when mixing with the F5 so I can just grab and go into either camera without having to cut after deciding, or pre-cut and 'designate' a roll for the IIIf.
that said, to be back on topic.... I don't have a template (others have already pointed to sources), but suggest rather than a separate hinge and brass pieces to assemble, consider cutting down an existing larger hinge - something like a door hinge that's not already drilled with 'competing' holes
that said, to be back on topic.... I don't have a template (others have already pointed to sources), but suggest rather than a separate hinge and brass pieces to assemble, consider cutting down an existing larger hinge - something like a door hinge that's not already drilled with 'competing' holes
Ronald M
Veteran
Mark`s will work for leaders, not the pointed end that goes into the brass cassette film spool.
For that you NEED a real ABLON with the arrow point if you intend to do it in the dark.
For that you NEED a real ABLON with the arrow point if you intend to do it in the dark.
David Hughes
David Hughes
Hi,
And don't forget the other version with the curved end and the R G Lewis et al ones.
Regards, David
And don't forget the other version with the curved end and the R G Lewis et al ones.
Regards, David
250swb
Well-known
Do keep in mind that you should be wearing a nice tweed suit, brogue's, and a club tie when you cut your leader with an ABLON and load your film, or it just won't work at all.
Steve
Steve
newsgrunt
Well-known
you can freehand either end. I always used scissors for the pointed end for Ixmoo cassettes and same for leader end. Have an ALBON but honestly have no idea why I bought it other than Leica GAS. If one had a screwmount I can maybe see using it but for everything else, save your money. btw, also have the Leica cutting knife, more stoopid GAS...
eli griggs
Well-known
Thank you Mark, this is what I am looking for.
I may have a large brass hinge in my "Possibles" box and I agree that might be a better approach.
Folks, it's not that I have trouble trimming leaders for my Barnack, but when I bulk load a dozen or more Leica cassettes, I want to get the trimming over with as quickly as possible and a brass trimmer in the dark room will speed things alone nicely.
I may have a large brass hinge in my "Possibles" box and I agree that might be a better approach.
Folks, it's not that I have trouble trimming leaders for my Barnack, but when I bulk load a dozen or more Leica cassettes, I want to get the trimming over with as quickly as possible and a brass trimmer in the dark room will speed things alone nicely.
newsgrunt
Well-known
afaik, the Ablon trimmer was meant to be used with a cutting blade or knife so not sure if it will speed things up vs scissors
beyond
Jason Beyond
Just mailed Mark Hama.
*fingers crossed that they have some for sale *
*fingers crossed that they have some for sale *
Brian Legge
Veteran
I was fortunate enough to have a seller include an ABLON with my first Leica, an IIIc. I've been happily using it every since - no loading problems at all. I find something about cutting the leaders oddly soothing.
...but looking at this recent sale makes me want to learn to hand trim:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Leica-E-Lei...214?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35b5d52046
$200 for an ABLON? Excellent condition or not, thats a quite a bit.
...but looking at this recent sale makes me want to learn to hand trim:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Leica-E-Lei...214?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35b5d52046
$200 for an ABLON? Excellent condition or not, thats a quite a bit.