ISO leader trimmer

[Stephen S. Mack]

I've just gotten a FED 1f, and I loaded it right first time, no problems.😀 However, (comma, he said) I would like to have a leader trimmer(?) such as the Leitz ABLON to make cutting the longer leader easier. Are there such things for sale somewhere, or should I make my own?

Thank you to all replies.

With best regards,

Stephen

 

[KenD]

The Leitz version shows up from time to time... at Leitz prices. There is someone on the popular auction site that sells more-or-less copies. I have one, it works OK. I think I paid something like 12 or 15 dollars for it.

 

[Bill58]

You can get a perfect, chromeplated steel Taiwan-made copy of the ABLON off ebay or Mark Hama camera repair in GA/ USA. I had one and sold it 'cause I sold the Leotax I had. It's a real timesaver and turns out perfect leaders w/ an X-acto knife. As I recall, it was $35.

 

[rxmd]

People are selling ABLON copies for $35 on eBay.

I don't think they're really necessary though. You can cut the film freehand, the cameras are not that touchy. Don't cut through a perforation and you should be fine. For the first two or three films it takes a bit more time, then you'll have enough practice to have it down pat. In my book, it's not worth $35 and having another piece of metal flying around.

 

[payasam]

I've never felt the need of a template. It's one more thing to keep track of or carry, and my knives have scissors in them. If, however, you think you need one, there was a seller of copies on eBay: lakesuwa, I recall. I notice, though, that making one yourself is also an option.

 

[Frontman]

I just use the small scissors on my Swiss Army knife key chain. The key chain is always in my pocket, so I'm never without it. I just pull out the leader a little bit, count out 20 perforations, and cut. I've never had a problem.

 

[David Hughes]

About a year or so ago someone had about 60 or so in stock but - obviously - they were modern copies. He/she didn't sell many on ebay and I never saw them again. Also, Leitz weren't the only ones making them. R G Lewis (famous London shop years ago) did their own and camera cradles etc.

Regards, David

 

[fanshaw]

I have one in a box labelled 'Photax British Made'

 

[Mablo]

I'm using nail scissors for trimming the film leader. I admit I'm cheapskate.

 

[pingle]

I'm using nail scissors for trimming the film leader. I admit I'm cheapskate.

Nail scissors are a bit pricey for me: I use my teeth.

 

[Ronald M]

Any small scissors works perfectly well. Trim back 21 /23 sprocket holes and make a nice smooth continuous curve so as not to make a weak point for a tear to start.

The ABLON knock off works the same as an original for leader triming. The valus of the original ABLON is its ability to point the end for the spool of the leica brass cassett perfectly. There is no other way to perform this function with the same precision. You can try to simulate it, but when the film gets stuck in the spool you will be sorry.

 

[payasam]

There's an alternative to scissors. If first one draws the curve on the film, one can then cut along it with a pointed knife.

 

[ray*j*gun]

I use the tiny scissors on my tiny Victornox pocket knife which I carry all the time.

 

[Al Kaplan]

I sold my ABLON years ago when they got so pricey that I couldn't resist the offer. Freehand works well enough. As for the cassette end, I just use masking tape, the same as I do with my snap cap cassettes. I've only got about a dozen Leica cassettes, and they don't fit the Bessa or Leica CL anyway.

I don't bother with scissors when loading cassettes. It's easy enough, and faster, to just tear the film off the bulk roll. I start the tear by putting my thumbnail against he edge. It doesn't have to be neat at the spool end. I also don't bother with a bulk film loader, Outstretched arms for measuring is close enough, and then it's all by hand. I somehow got in the habit decades ago of taping the "wrong" end to the spool so my home loads are numbered backwards. I start the session by tearing off enough lengths of masking tape and sticking them lightly to the very edge of my darkroom counter. The roll of bulk film itself is set on edge in the bottom of the can ~ easy to grab and it can't roll anywhere.

Unlike Tom I don't load dozens at a session. Usually when my film is in the wash I have enough time to reload the just emptied cassettes. A bit of masking tape and a Sharpie puts a loading date on the film containers.

 

[David Hughes]

About a year or so ago someone had about 60 or so in stock but - obviously - they were modern copies. He/she didn't sell many on ebay and I never saw them again. Also, Leitz weren't the only ones making them. R G Lewis (famous London shop years ago) did their own and camera cradles etc.

When I wrote this I thought that they - R G Lewis - had disappeared for ever in some mega take over or similar and so was surprised to discover that the firm I knew and loved still exist but have had to move premises several times and are now at 29 Southampton Row.

Any one interested will find this site overflowing with nostalgia;

http://www.rglewis.co.uk/history/History.htm

And they still sell Leicas...

Regards, David