Leica IIIf Loading Film on Take-Up Spool

[twheshka]

I just bought the IIIf and tried to load film onto the take-up spool, but I cannot get the film under the clamping spring. Is there a special technique? The manual is vague other than spool in left hand and film in right. I have a Canon IVsb2 and can load its spool without difficulty. Many thanks for your help.

Tim

 

[Mute-on]

There is a flattened section of the spool directly under the leading edge of the clamping Spring. The end of the film should slide under this. Just push the first few mm in, move your index finger and thumb back a little, and push in a few more mm. Shuffle and repeat until the leader is as far in as the clamp will allow, usually a couple of cm. Make sure the edge of the film is flush against the end flange of the spool. If there is a gap, gently push the film sideways to fill it.

I put the film in my left hand and and spool in right. I am right handed, and this works better for me. Remember, emulsion side faces you (you are lens side).

All this assumes the standard Leica spool.

Good luck!

Cheers,

J 🙂

 

[davidnewtonguitars]

My IIIc came with a spool with a buggered-up film tab, so yours could be also.
It is very difficult to bend them back to hold film, maybe impossible.

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

If all else fails the FED spools fit and are easier to load and hold the film nicely due to a spike that goes through the perforations. I've put a piece of paper or card in this one to show the spike more clearly.

My experience of several Leitz spools is that the clip works loose and doesn't hold the film end.

Regards, David

 

[mcfingon]

The caveat with those Fed spools David is that the spiky bit can break bits of film off when you rewind that may end up in the shutter mechanism...

 

[Scrambler]

I use three fed spools and one leica spool. I preload the film onto the rewind and the pair can then be dropped in and removed together. Just stop rewinding when it gets back to the start: there's a pretty obvious increase in resistance.

I made up three double spool holders using aps canisters for the rewind spool, cut one sharp side off the aps canister and a 5ml (just under 1/4 inch) slot in the film canister and tape the two with the openings against each other. I use canisters with external fitting lids for the 35mm side so the lids can still be used.

Caveat: as you see in the image I don't always trim the leader. A small amount of extra wriggling on loading.

 

[David Hughes]

The caveat with those Fed spools David is that the spiky bit can break bits of film off when you rewind that may end up in the shutter mechanism...

Hi,

It's just a matter of knowing when to stop...

Seriously the alternative is, or can be, a roll of blank film because it came off the spool. It's like everything else with those old cameras, you just have to compromise.

Regards, David

 

[Livesteamer]

Canon film spools work well and have a nice pop up button. I have a pair of Leica IIIc's each with a Canon film spool. Joe