anta40
Newbie
I have some experiences shooting with a few Leica M film bodies, like M2, M3, and M6.
But those screw mount Leica bodies is a totally new experience for me.
So I just aqcuired a Nicca 3F. Seeing some tutorials on YouTube, some recommend to trim the film before loading into the camera. Some use another trick, like using a business card.
I read the manual, seems like the procedure is not mentioned in it.
So, is trimming neccesary or not?
But those screw mount Leica bodies is a totally new experience for me.
So I just aqcuired a Nicca 3F. Seeing some tutorials on YouTube, some recommend to trim the film before loading into the camera. Some use another trick, like using a business card.
I read the manual, seems like the procedure is not mentioned in it.
So, is trimming neccesary or not?
css9450
Veteran
Trimming wasn't mentioned in the manual because back in the old days, the film leaders were cut longer and thus fit perfectly.
I'd say trimming is recommended. Sure you can do it in other ways without trimming, such asusing the card or another trick like sticking your fingers through the lens mount to adjust the film, but I'm not too crazy about sticking things in the camera that don't belong. So trim the leader and enjoy foolproof, easy and safe loading every time.
I'd say trimming is recommended. Sure you can do it in other ways without trimming, such asusing the card or another trick like sticking your fingers through the lens mount to adjust the film, but I'm not too crazy about sticking things in the camera that don't belong. So trim the leader and enjoy foolproof, easy and safe loading every time.
xayraa33
rangefinder user and fancier
Bottomloader cameras in the Barnack style need the film leaders trimmed.
It is not rocket science to do this and avoids a lot of film loading problems with these types of cameras.
It is not rocket science to do this and avoids a lot of film loading problems with these types of cameras.
mcfingon
Western Australia
Or look at this discussion about loading Leica LTM's:
https://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=168596
John Mc
https://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=168596
John Mc
Ambro51
Collector/Photographer
What happens with untrimmed leaders is the top of the film catches in the film opening window.
richardHaw
junk scavenger
some nicca 3fs have backs that open much like the nicca 5 so this isnt much of a problem 
you can avoid this by doing a simple trick but it requires some fiddling and keeping the shutter at T so you can pick on it. i dont recommend this but its what some people do and they dont have any problems at all.
i just cut the leader and make sure that the edge is slanted so it wont get caught in the film aperture.
you can avoid this by doing a simple trick but it requires some fiddling and keeping the shutter at T so you can pick on it. i dont recommend this but its what some people do and they dont have any problems at all.
i just cut the leader and make sure that the edge is slanted so it wont get caught in the film aperture.
anta40
Newbie
I found someone made a 3D template of film trimmer.
Looks interesting. Now, trying to find 3D printing service...
Looks interesting. Now, trying to find 3D printing service...
xayraa33
rangefinder user and fancier
some nicca 3fs have backs that open much like the nicca 5 so this isnt much of a problem
To be fair, the OP stated his camera was a Nicca 3F
I own the Nicca 3F ( there are two types of 3F, knob wind and lever wind), the Nicca 5L and the Nicca type 5. The Nicca 3F does NOT have a back that opens like the Nicca 5L or the Nicca type 5 , so a Barnack style film leader would be needed, unless one wanted to go the card method of film loading or poking fingers in the inside front of the camera with the lens off and the shutter set on T method, to adjust the film to the proper position.
