David Murphy
Veteran
Does anyone know where to find a take up spool for a Leica screw mount camera at a reasonable price? Are the Zorki or Fed takeup spools fully compatible? How about the Canon spools which I've seen for sale from time-to-time.
Thanks - David
Thanks - David
Livesteamer
Well-known
The spools from my Zorki 1 cameras fit my IIIc. The Canon spool is best as it has a pop up knob that makes it easier to remove. I have two Canon spools for my IIIc's. Joe
PMCC
Late adopter.
I like to keep spare screw mount take-up spools handy so that I can pre-load a new roll of film (with trimmed leader) to carry in my bag or pocket. Having a pre-loaded spool makes loading a new roll of film on the go a whole lot faster -- most of the fumbling has been done in advance. While I agree the Canon spools are terrific, the FSU spools will work fine in a Leica or Canon, and they're far cheaper. NOS FSU spools were 5 quid apiece at Jessops* -- at least back in the previous millennium, don't know about now. But the FSU spools have a tiny, non-spring loaded knob on the end, making them harder to extract for those of us with fat fingers.
P.S. As far as I know, the Barnack spools (Leica 14021) are not interchangeable with the spools for M2/M3 (Leica 14022, I believe). Since I keep both types handy, I've never had to try to see if they mix and match.
P.P.S. I just did an online search and it seems that *Jessops Classic Camera (the shop in Pied Bull Yard, London) may be history. Still lots of Jessops branches all over UK, but mostly stocking digital. So, back to usual suspects: KEH, DAG, fedka, et al., for spare spools.
P.S. As far as I know, the Barnack spools (Leica 14021) are not interchangeable with the spools for M2/M3 (Leica 14022, I believe). Since I keep both types handy, I've never had to try to see if they mix and match.
P.P.S. I just did an online search and it seems that *Jessops Classic Camera (the shop in Pied Bull Yard, London) may be history. Still lots of Jessops branches all over UK, but mostly stocking digital. So, back to usual suspects: KEH, DAG, fedka, et al., for spare spools.
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Erik van Straten
Veteran
I just got a rather strange looking early Leica spool. The left one is quite common, but the one on the right I've never seen before. It is very heavy at 17 grammes - the other spool is 10 grammes. The clip that holds the film is beautifully formed. Did anyone see one like it before? Zorki?
Erik.
Erik.
Dralowid
Michael
Yes I have seen that hook clip, as you say, Zorki or Fed I think
xayraa33
rangefinder user and fancier
I have that hook shaped spring on my Zorki 1 spool.
bayernfan
Well-known
I don't know what you'd consider to be a reasonable price, but Don of DAG carries only quality parts and ships them super fast.
https://www.dagcamera.com/store/p215/LEICA_TAKE-UPS_SPOOL-_Made_in_Leitz,_Canada.html
https://www.dagcamera.com/store/p215/LEICA_TAKE-UPS_SPOOL-_Made_in_Leitz,_Canada.html
Erik van Straten
Veteran
I got this one for EUR 10. I bought it because the discs on top and on bottom are much thicker than the discs on the genuine Leica-spools. I hope that with this spool I will get rid of a nasty little bit of perforitis that I get from my early Leica IA. See bottom left.
Erik.
Erik.
David Hughes
David Hughes
Hi,
It's a typical USSR made one but beware as there are several versions of it including one like the original Leica one and it fails the same way as the rivets loosen. Then there's a hooked one that fits FED and Zorki 1's and is usually made of brass.
What you have to beware of are hooked ones that fit the FED and Zorki 2 and 3 (probably higher but I forget when they stopped being bottom loaders). Anyway, the 2 & 3 etc versions are wrong in Leicas and the F/Z 1's and won't let you close the bottom. Trouble is, they look the same and you have to try them to find out. It's blindingly obvious when inserted, btw.
There's also a version of the hooked ones with the bit you hold that pulls out.
These are all brass but there's some in white metal and also black plastic.
Regards, David
PS When buying from was the old USSR countries it pays to look at the postage. The guy I buy from charges something silly like 25 US cents for extra items when buying more than one. I'll try and find his id if anyone's interested.
It's a typical USSR made one but beware as there are several versions of it including one like the original Leica one and it fails the same way as the rivets loosen. Then there's a hooked one that fits FED and Zorki 1's and is usually made of brass.
What you have to beware of are hooked ones that fit the FED and Zorki 2 and 3 (probably higher but I forget when they stopped being bottom loaders). Anyway, the 2 & 3 etc versions are wrong in Leicas and the F/Z 1's and won't let you close the bottom. Trouble is, they look the same and you have to try them to find out. It's blindingly obvious when inserted, btw.
There's also a version of the hooked ones with the bit you hold that pulls out.
These are all brass but there's some in white metal and also black plastic.
Regards, David
PS When buying from was the old USSR countries it pays to look at the postage. The guy I buy from charges something silly like 25 US cents for extra items when buying more than one. I'll try and find his id if anyone's interested.
Erik van Straten
Veteran
Thanks David. Mine looks like the one on the right in your picture, but the top is partly cut off. It now fits perfectly in my early Leica IA.
I've glued a round piece of cardboard on the inside of the top disc (that will be at the bottom in the camera) so the film will be pushed up a little more.
The problem of these very old Leicas is that the pictures are not 24x36mm, but much larger. The borders almost touch the perforation of the film and the space between the images is less than 0,5mm. For my enlarger this is no problem, but I don't like it if the perforations of the film is visible in my pictures.
Erik.
I've glued a round piece of cardboard on the inside of the top disc (that will be at the bottom in the camera) so the film will be pushed up a little more.
The problem of these very old Leicas is that the pictures are not 24x36mm, but much larger. The borders almost touch the perforation of the film and the space between the images is less than 0,5mm. For my enlarger this is no problem, but I don't like it if the perforations of the film is visible in my pictures.
Erik.
Richard G
Veteran
I got this one for EUR 10. I bought it because the discs on top and on bottom are much thicker than the discs on the genuine Leica-spools. I hope that with this spool I will get rid of a nasty little bit of perforitis that I get from my early Leica IA. See bottom left.
Erik.
“Perforitis” - I like that. I was paging through Cartier-Bresson's The Europeans last weekend and I noticed that multiple photos with a much more pononucned sprocket hole banding were all shot in 1952. Was he using the wrong spools for that trip?
Erik van Straten
Veteran
I think he used the wrong cassettes in his IIIc or Canon. He was using a Canon in those years too. His pictures of Ireland.
Erik.
Scrambler
Well-known
The solution to "perforitis" isnt usually the takeup spool but rather the film spool. As I'm sure you are aware the 135 spool is shorter than the originals. Reloadable spools from the early years is the usual solution. You can also use a spacer on the 135 but I've never tried that myself.
I've never had my FSU takeup spools slip, and I know one is from a Fed 2. I suspect its "quality control" rather than era until you find one too long.
I've never had my FSU takeup spools slip, and I know one is from a Fed 2. I suspect its "quality control" rather than era until you find one too long.
Erik van Straten
Veteran
Yes, I know that, but not in this case. As you see in Henri's picture the perforitis is at its worst on the right. In my picture it is on the left. In my picture the film is drawn downwards on the left side seen from front, were the take-up spool is. The perforation on top is drawn downwards so it becomes visible in the film gate.
The solution is to have a thicker disk on the bottom of the spool so that the film is pushed up a bit. A fraction of a millimeter is enough.
Erik.
Scrambler
Well-known
Another other option would be another, longer FSU take up spool filed to the correct length. Maybe a sleeve over the grip section on your current takeup to lengthen it? Essentially its the same issue as the 135 but on the other side so the same solutions are valid. I agree you could shim it but thats a nuisance if you use multiple takeups. And I can recommend using multiple takeups: so much faster if its remove one setup and install the next.
Erik van Straten
Veteran
Yes, I see what you mean, but this problem occurs only in one of my camera's, one that is not very often used. The real cause is the huge picture window (37.5 mm x 24.5 mm) of the very early Leica IA, in my case number 6535. Not many owners of these old cameras are using them.
Erik.
Erik.
rfaspen
[insert pithy phrase here]
Eric,
I very much wish I had this problem. I lust after a 1A. They are such beautiful cameras, and the images you keep posting from it -- beautiful!
I'd live with the sprocket holes problem just fine
I very much wish I had this problem. I lust after a 1A. They are such beautiful cameras, and the images you keep posting from it -- beautiful!
I'd live with the sprocket holes problem just fine
rfaspen
[insert pithy phrase here]
Dang it!
Now I too will have to pull all my Leica and clone spools and look at them closely. Honestly, I haven't paid any attention to them at all. Perhaps its time. Like many of you, I'll be looking at early and late Leica, early/late FSU (Fed/Zorki/Kiev), early/late Canon, and Nicca (late/early, who knows). Oh, and I have a Minolta spool too. I don't have the camera, just the spool (and lens).
Up until now, I don't think I have ever tried to cross pollinate spools. Maybe I should have been more adventurous? ...Boring Jeff, that's what my wife says.
Now I too will have to pull all my Leica and clone spools and look at them closely. Honestly, I haven't paid any attention to them at all. Perhaps its time. Like many of you, I'll be looking at early and late Leica, early/late FSU (Fed/Zorki/Kiev), early/late Canon, and Nicca (late/early, who knows). Oh, and I have a Minolta spool too. I don't have the camera, just the spool (and lens).
Up until now, I don't think I have ever tried to cross pollinate spools. Maybe I should have been more adventurous? ...Boring Jeff, that's what my wife says.
Erik van Straten
Veteran
Thank you, Jeff!
Erik.
Erik.
David Hughes
David Hughes
Going back to the original question; this is who I got my spools from:-
https://www.ebay.com/itm/351704582796?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&fromMakeTrack=true
There's one problem, I don't know how to guarantee that one will fit the Leica and/or FED and Zorki 1's. OTOH, look at the prices and especially the 25 cents extra for each additional spool.
I sorted mine out by trial and error but luckily I have a minimalist's collection of FEDs, Leicas and Zorkis.
Regards, David
https://www.ebay.com/itm/351704582796?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&fromMakeTrack=true
There's one problem, I don't know how to guarantee that one will fit the Leica and/or FED and Zorki 1's. OTOH, look at the prices and especially the 25 cents extra for each additional spool.
I sorted mine out by trial and error but luckily I have a minimalist's collection of FEDs, Leicas and Zorkis.
Regards, David