How fast can you load a Leica M?

[Turtle]

Going slowly, it takes about 30 seconds and at a rush about 10-15. I tighten the film around the spol first on slack films so I can confirm the little red dots twirling from the off as I wind on my MP. Its really fast and no where near the ordeal that some people claim it to be. I really am at a loss....

 

[Lord Fluff]

I'm getting used to loading film into my M6 - I had not used film for a while anyway, but I could not believe what a clunky system it is. However much any of you are used to it, you have to admit it's not the slickest system in the world. My old Nikon FE took literally seconds to load a film - slide leader across to marked point, close back, wind on. Simple. Considering how pleasing a camera it is to use in other respects, the loading system really surprised me

 

[ChrisN]

I can't recall where I saw it recently, but someone recommended crimping the first 20mm (3/4 inch) into an accordion pleat. This is inserted into the takeup spool (for M2/3 with quickload, M4 and later) and prevents the end of the leader slipping out. I've never had that happen yet, but I might give this a try.

 

[Keith]

The Ikon is very slick compared to my M's ... just slip the end of the leader into the tulip where there is small tounge that grabs a sprocket hole and pull the cassette across and into position and snap the back shut ... I don't bother to check the sprocket engagement ... it just works!

I don't think the M series are particularly hard to load ... they just suffer a little from Leica's reluctance to have a swing out back!

 

[Maxapple88]

bending the end of the film in a small 90 degree angle gives the tulip something to "bite" into and less chance of slipping.

I've been doing this too, yet sometimes the film "bites" too much and it actually takes considerable force to pull that end out of the tulip while rewinding. Sometimes it goes crunch and I'm worried about the rewind handle...

 

[Andrew Sowerby]

The 90 degree thing works fine for me. I just started using an M6 a few months ago, but I find it easier to load than my previous camera (Bessa R2a). No fussing with inserting the leader into the little slit in the take-up spool.

The easiest rangefinders to load are probably the Canonet QL series.

 

[rlouzan]

A la Misha Erwitt style:

http://www.kanto-cs.co.jp/english/basestrap/basestrap_en.html

 

[TheHub]

I dunno, about 1 minute for my M3. Depends on where I am. I usually like to sit somewhere and rest the camera in my lap.

 

[Tom A]

I've been doing this too, yet sometimes the film "bites" too much and it actually takes considerable force to pull that end out of the tulip while rewinding. Sometimes it goes crunch and I'm worried about the rewind handle...

This is one reason for me just folding it once. The accordion style can bite a bit too much and requires a bit of brute force to pull off the take-up spool. Admittedly, I have never had a rewind crash for this reason. If it bites too much, you can end up stripping the sprocket holes (or between them) and end up with small filmchips - that with unswerving accuracy first hide and then pop up on the negs - always in that perfect smooth grey tone!

 

[Rob-F]

Takes me less than a minute if nobody's watching. If I'm showing off, figure 7 to 10 minutes.

I always wind until the sprocket has engaged several holes, just to make sure. I do this whether it is an M2/3, or an M6/MP. For that matter I do the same thing with a IIIc or a II.

Yes I saw Tom's example myself just a couple days ago. Always a pleasure to watch a master!

 

[Ara Ghajanian]

I did it in 30 seconds on my first try. I'm actually surprised. It always felt like it took longer.

Now how fast can you load in the dark?

 

[shimo-kitasnap]

I find that it's faster and easier to load my M6 when I fold the end of the leader back on to itself (emulsion side touching itself). No more miss loads. It's still not as fast as loading my M3 with preloaded spools.

 

[DavidC]

Not fast enough to save your shots at an airshow or parade. Imagine running out of film after the first fly-by of transport aircraft has lumbered by. In ten seconds the following flight of F-16s is scheduled. If you don't have a second body already loaded then you might as well forget about catching any shots.
With a backopening camera you might😡 still have a fighting chance.

 

[tomasis]

with m4, about 20 sec. I remember how long time it took to try that first time. It must be more than 10 minutes, lol.

m3 takes longer time. up to 1min. It would be nice to have extra take-up spools 😛

 

[irq506]

From end of the roll rewind and load whilst walking (and not really looking), about 15-20 seconds. I dont necessarily work any faster standing still and or looking at what Im doing either though...

I should add, its an M6, and I use a Sling, the body stays in my right hand, the base plate goes under my right arm or in a pocket, I use two Lowepro 'film-drop' pouches on my belt at my left hip or at back (one is for unused film the other is for exposed film).

 

[Eelco Amsterdam]

20 / 30 seconds, that's why I work often with 2 M camera's !

 

[Leica All Day]

Hello everybody....very interesting to read the posts above...I have never timed myself loading my m6ttl but I know I can do it pretty fast if needed...the photo below was taken during a terrorist attack (bomb) that I happened to find myself in...as I was shooting the horrific scene, I finished a roll and quickly ducked into a corner to put another roll in my camera, I also managed to switch lenses as well (50mm to a 28mm)...I won't even begin to expain what was going through my head at that time, but I know I managed to load the film and change the lenses in record time (at least to me it seemed so)....the photo below is the first or second photo that I took with that roll and I am pleased with it, my agency (Gamma) displayed it on their home page for a week....I have never "crimped" my film as I saw Tom do on youtube, but I am definitely going to try it next time I load my camera, it seems like a good idea...anyways.....interesting thread....

cheers, Michael

 

[Joe]

That's a great photo, a masterpiece

 

[Ara Ghajanian]

Bravo indeed, Michael.