Leica LTM Leica IIIg take-up spool: new and different, or same old Barnack ?

[Luddite Frank]

A while back I posted about an issue I was having with my "new" Leica IIIg:

During my first test-roll, about 10 exposures in, when winding-on for the next frame, I felt something slipping / catching in the advance knob, and noticed that the rewind-knob was no longer advancing (film not being drawn from the cassette)

I played with the camera a bit, advancing and firing, and sometimes more film would pull from the cassette, and other times not.

The shutter would wind and fire each time though.


I got disgusted with it and put it aside for a long time. Months.


Last week, I got my Barnack bag out, and had another look.


No improvement on "wind & fire", so figuring the roll was a lost cause, I removed the lens, and looking through the mount, shutter set on "T", I tried a few "fire & winds", and the film seemed as though it would advance for a couple shots, then not.

Finally, I removed the bottom plate, and had a look inside.

I noticed that the exposed film was not coiling snugly around the take-up spool, and that as slack developed, was possibly pushing the film out of secure contact with the sprockets. 😱

So, I pulled the take-up spool and film casette out, in mid-roll.

I unwound the film from the take-up spool, to be sure the leader was firmly caught under the spring tongue ( it was ), and then I un-hitched it.

The spool "looked kind of funny", high-gloss black paint (old), the spring tab is non-Leica, and there are no markings on the spool.

The spool from my IIIc/f BDST is more matte black, is stamped "Germany" on the outer flange, and has the pop-out knob. I'm pretty sure it is a Leitz spool.

I am wondering if the spool that came with my IIIg is non-Leica, possibly FSU(?), is a sloppy fit on the winding stem, and this may be causing the film not to spool snugly on the take-up spool ?

Did the IIIg use a new / different spool ? Will a spool from an older Barnack work ? Has anyone had this experience with a IIIg / other Barnack

Sorry this is all words and no pictures... 😱 will try to add some later...


If my wind-on problem can be cured by something as simple is getting a proper Leitz spool in there, I will be a happy man....


Thanks in advance...

Luddite Frank

 

[madNbad]

The IIIg uses the same spool as the M2/3.

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,


It sounds as though the clutch for the take up is slipping but I've not got a IIIg and so can't say how it should be tightened. Sorry that I can't say more.


Regards, David

 

[Dave Little]

The 111g has the same take up spool as an M2 / M3
I tried to fit a 111c spool in my 111g and it does not fit !
You need the correct spool
Leitz SPOOM (14022) take-up spool for Ig, IIIg, M1, M2, M3 & MD.

Dave

 

[Mr_Flibble]

I am wondering if the spool that came with my IIIg is non-Leica, possibly FSU(?), is a sloppy fit on the winding stem, and this may be causing the film not to spool snugly on the take-up spool ?

If it fits too loosely over the winding stem, it WILL cause the sloppy take-up

It sounds as though the clutch for the take up is slipping.

That would be my second point of interest in the investigation.


But film is drawn from the cartridge by the sprocket wheels, not the spool. So there might be a little more at play here, concerning the film not advancing on winding.

 

[Rob-F]

But film is drawn from the cartridge by the sprocket wheels, not the spool. So there might be a little more at play here, concerning the film not advancing on winding.

True. But then if the spool stops turning, or doesn't turn enough to keep the film wrapped around it, then I think the film would, after a few exposures, form a large coil that would eventually contact the inner wall of the body and jam. Then I could see the film losing contact with the sprocket and that's when the film would stop advancing.

 

[Luddite Frank]

All -

Thanks for your replies !

According to comments here, and via Google, indeed Leica did change the take-up spool with the I-g / III-g cameras, the new spool being compatible with the M's, until they went with the "Quick-Load" spindle.

Still not sure of the origins of the spool that came with my III-g, but the fit is loose enough that if I rap the open camera body against the heel of my hand, the take-up spool drops-out into my hand. 😱 😕 😡

I have ordered an "M" spool from e-bay, and will see how that works.

Rob F. described the behavior I was experiencing:

"True. But then if the spool stops turning, or doesn't turn enough to keep the film wrapped around it, then I think the film would, after a few exposures, form a large coil that would eventually contact the inner wall of the body and jam. Then I could see the film losing contact with the sprocket and that's when the film would stop advancing."

This was not evident to me until I removed the bottom plate from the still-loaded camera, and saw just what he described above.


Hopefully, having the proper take-up spool will resolve the issue, and I can finally shoot some film with this "new" toy...

Many thanks for the replies ! 😎

LF