LeicaTom
Watch that step!
I NEVER have used a ABLON/trimplate - I just pull out the leader (about 5 inches) count out two sprocket holes and at the end of number two/start of three cut up into the film middle and across to the end of the leader, done in 2 seconds and loaded in another 5 to 7 seconds - even faster when using a Canon "popup" spool 
(though sadly those things are not that easy to find anymore)
This get`s oldhat when you shoot LTM for over 10 years, I can see that new folks into the camera will need to get used to it
Happy Shooting!
Tom
(though sadly those things are not that easy to find anymore)
This get`s oldhat when you shoot LTM for over 10 years, I can see that new folks into the camera will need to get used to it
Happy Shooting!
Tom
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peterm1
Veteran
"twenty two.
..but there is still four thousand holes in Blackburn Lancashire ;-)"
"I read the news today oh, boy
About a lucky man who made the grade
And though the news was rather sad
Well, i just had to laugh
I saw the photograph"
Were you THAT photographer? ;^)
..but there is still four thousand holes in Blackburn Lancashire ;-)"
"I read the news today oh, boy
About a lucky man who made the grade
And though the news was rather sad
Well, i just had to laugh
I saw the photograph"
Were you THAT photographer? ;^)
mike goldberg
The Peaceful Pacific
I love gadgets, and admire LeicaTom's Avatar. Since I'm blessed with good hands, I'm going to want to do it freehand soon.
Here's how I'll do it:
MEASURE... instead of counting sprocket holes; make a mark at the edge of the film leader, around 4 inches in.
CUT like the diagram inside the bottom of the camera.
Now, what could be simpler? Who knows, my Ablon may be For Sale soon
BUT... I needed it to understand the process.
Here's how I'll do it:
MEASURE... instead of counting sprocket holes; make a mark at the edge of the film leader, around 4 inches in.
CUT like the diagram inside the bottom of the camera.
Now, what could be simpler? Who knows, my Ablon may be For Sale soon
BUT... I needed it to understand the process.
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
From screwmount film leader trimming ... to the Beatles and back!
As Joe would say ... "I love this place!" LOL
As Joe would say ... "I love this place!" LOL
Solinar
Analog Preferred
Seriously, the trim doesn't have to be a perfect match to the template. Trim just enough to clear the bottom sprocket as you push both the take up and supply spools into the camera.
My method - count 4 thumb widths - snip a small bit between two of the sprocket holes - then start cutting using the modern leader as a template - until its time to make the curve and finish it off between the sprocket holes.
I do visually check to see that the sprocket is engaged with the holes in the film before installing the bottom plate.
My method - count 4 thumb widths - snip a small bit between two of the sprocket holes - then start cutting using the modern leader as a template - until its time to make the curve and finish it off between the sprocket holes.
I do visually check to see that the sprocket is engaged with the holes in the film before installing the bottom plate.
mikepry
Mike Pry
Letien said:Why don't someone tell us how many holes we should cut out. The spacing is standard!
Sherry Krauter says 21.
semrich
Well-known
Reading this thread sure has got me thinking that this is an incredibly complex or simple procedure. When I got my IIIf I didn't know even how to operate it or what condition it was in, so I took it to a local repair guy in Istanbul for a CLA.
When I picked it up he showed me how to operate it and load the film. Bear in mind that this instruction took place using a combination of my limited Turkish and his limited English. He showed me the diagram on the bottom of the camera, took scissors cut straight along the the same width of the leader for about 10cm and then took the stray piece in hand and tore in off at the gate of the cartridge. All this by eyeballing it.
I've done it that way since and haven't had any problems. I'm I taking to simple and approach to this?
When I picked it up he showed me how to operate it and load the film. Bear in mind that this instruction took place using a combination of my limited Turkish and his limited English. He showed me the diagram on the bottom of the camera, took scissors cut straight along the the same width of the leader for about 10cm and then took the stray piece in hand and tore in off at the gate of the cartridge. All this by eyeballing it.
I've done it that way since and haven't had any problems. I'm I taking to simple and approach to this?
Solinar
Analog Preferred
It is very simple and in my opinion there is no need for a template, as it will slow you down.
I can have three to four rolls out of the cannister and trimmed in about a minute without using a template.
I can have three to four rolls out of the cannister and trimmed in about a minute without using a template.
mike goldberg
The Peaceful Pacific
I'm delighted this Thread got a buzz Perhaps one day, my heirs will discover the Ablon among my stuff, and use it as a door hinge.
This is what I did my 2nd time out:
Measure 4 inches from the narrow end of the leader <- inwards, towards the cannister. This happens to be 21-22 sprocket holes... but hey, who wants to count sprocket holes?
Next, make a tiny notch at that 4 inch mark. Why?... so I'll know where that is. I tend to load film in low light, and can't see even a black magic marker 'v' there.
Finally, cut the leader just like the diagram printed inside, at the bottom of the camera... with the scissors in my small Swiss knife.
THIS WORKS. My 2nd roll ever, went right in. One wind/advance of the film, check it on 'B' without a lens; then, two more wind-on turns with lens mounted. Since I have 2 spare take up reels, I can take these with me with film trimmed and ready to go.
BTW: In a short time, these motions will become 2nd nature via feel, and the procedure can be further streamlined.
Ciao, Mike
Perhaps one day, my heirs will discover the Ablon among my stuff, and use it as a door hinge.This is what I did my 2nd time out:
Measure 4 inches from the narrow end of the leader <- inwards, towards the cannister. This happens to be 21-22 sprocket holes... but hey, who wants to count sprocket holes?
Next, make a tiny notch at that 4 inch mark. Why?... so I'll know where that is. I tend to load film in low light, and can't see even a black magic marker 'v' there.
Finally, cut the leader just like the diagram printed inside, at the bottom of the camera... with the scissors in my small Swiss knife.
THIS WORKS. My 2nd roll ever, went right in. One wind/advance of the film, check it on 'B' without a lens; then, two more wind-on turns with lens mounted. Since I have 2 spare take up reels, I can take these with me with film trimmed and ready to go.
BTW: In a short time, these motions will become 2nd nature via feel, and the procedure can be further streamlined.
Ciao, Mike
hammerman
amateur at large
i stole about 50 of my ex-wife's double-sided glossy business cards and use them as a guide for my FED-S with the shutter set on "Z." they are good for about four rolls of film loading, much like changing your jocks in the bush. for street loading of film that is not pre-cut with fancy jigs i can now slide a roll of film into place in less than a minute if i give it a bit of a front-hole finger at the same time and hope nobody knocks off the lens that is sitting precariously on the ledge of the bank building window. watch out for bent business card corners, though, and eye-balling ex-wives.
cheers,
dj
cheers,
dj
Graybeard
Longtime IIIf User
hammerman said:
Plastic coated playing cards work very well for loading a Barnack Leica - the corners are more resistant to bending.
There is no need to remove the lens - load the film tongue onto the take up spool outside of the camera, slide the card into the film gate area, insert the film into the camera on the rear (away from lens) side of the card, then remove the card.