Leitz film cassettes

[jbr]

Hi,

I am new here, just signed up to this forum today.
I'm also new to the Leica world, apart from the fact that I have a digital Panasonic FZ20 with a Leitz lens... but photography is my passion since 1966.

Since a couple of days I am the proud owner of a Leica IIIc converted to IIIf from 1949/50 with an Elmar 2.8/50, and I have some original Leica metal film cassettes as well, which I plan to fill with bulk black and white film. Back to the roots, it's retro time here.

When I tried to fit these cassettes into the camera I found that they are not all equal, one is different. Its metal spindle has a flat bottom plate, and the bottom of the cassette has a black felt lining to prevent light coming in. It also is taller, 46.8mm as compared to the 44mm height of the others. It doesn't really fit in the camera, I can press it in with force but can't get it out without some gear.

Can anyone tell me what is the matter with that cassette? I have searched all over the Web, also tried the FAQ search in this forum but haven't found an answer.

Thanks to all and best regards

Johan

 

[erikhaugsby]

The taller one might be intended for M-Mount cameras?
Can you load all them properly with a bulk film loader, have you tried to?

Regardless, congradulations on the new cameras! The Elmar is a wonderful lens for street shooting.

 

[Graybeard]

Following up on the previous reply, Leitz made two different film cassettes, one for LTM and the other for the M-series. So far as i know, the two aren't interchangeable; an LTM camera will accept only LTM cassettes.

When I was loading Leica cassettes, I found the easiest way to do it was to screw a heavy-duty paper clamp to my darkroom bench then put a tack in the bench one 36 exposure film length away. (In the dark) I'd put one end of the film in the paper clamp, unspool enough film to reach the tack, then cut the film off there. I'd wind the film onto the roller outside of the cassette shells then finally assemble the shells. This probably took less than 60 seconds.

 

[payasam]

Graybeard, your method works with any cassette and with lengths for fewer than 36 exposures too.

JBR, the earlier Leitz cassette, model B, is for screw mount cameras and will not fit in an M body. The later model N cassette will fit both M bodies (barring the M5 and perhaps the CL) as well as screw mount bodies. The N is 2.2 mm shorter than the B and its inner shell has a chrome plated knob rather than a black one.

So far as I know, neither Leitz cassette had any felt in or on it. Your 46.8 mm cassette probably came from another manufacturer.

 

[bean_counter]

JBR,

I picked up one of those cassettes with the felt light trap; doesn't fit in my IIIf, either.

I just marked it with a peice of tape and dumped it into the junk box, maybe I'll find a camera to fit it some day. Well, that will be my excuse for buying another camera, anyway.

 

[payasam]

JBR and B_C, do your cassettes with the felt have the Leica or Leitz name on them? The letters "B" or "N"?

 

[micromoogman]

Spool trivia: You should be glad not owning a Robot I or II camera that came with two unique cassettes, one K (take-up spool) and one N cassette (for loading)!! You could also buy a fast loading, very Kodak Instamatic-like, cassette that came with the two spools as an unit.

 

[trittium]

Spool trivia: You should be glad not owning a Robot I or II camera that came with two unique cassettes, one K (take-up spool) and one N cassette (for loading)!! You could also buy a fast loading, very Kodak Instamatic-like, cassette that came with the two spools as an unit.

I desprately want a robot...


Anyway, it is easy to load these cassettes with a Watson film loader. They have a wheel to open and close the cassette. No fuss at all.

 

[doubs43]

When I was loading Leica cassettes, I found the easiest way to do it was to screw a heavy-duty paper clamp to my darkroom bench then put a tack in the bench one 36 exposure film length away. (In the dark) I'd put one end of the film in the paper clamp, unspool enough film to reach the tack, then cut the film off there. I'd wind the film onto the roller outside of the cassette shells then finally assemble the shells. This probably took less than 60 seconds.

My father used a similar technique except he used the back of a closet door with the clamp at the top and unrolled the film downward. He loaded hundreds of rolls that way and had both 20 and 36 exposures marked off.

I used to simply pull film out until my arms were extended to a certain point. Then I'd cut the film and roll it. I was pretty good at it too. Now I have bulk loaders.

Walker

 

[Graybeard]

"I used to simply pull film out until my arms were extended to a certain point. Then I'd cut the film and roll it."

I've done that as well.

For some folks though, this might result in rolls tha are, say, 27.75 exposures in length. I wonder if this is how the 24 exposure rolls came to be.

 

[Xmas]

Guys

I think the both the Leitz cassettes have a doughnut felt light trap seal at one end of the cassette... looks like a corn plaster. I think it should be glued in place, but I'm sure some of mine are not.

Noel

 

[Xmas]

Guys

Both types of Leitz cassettes do have a doughnut felt seals at the bottom of the cassette. probably you could make one up with a craft knife at need...

The FILCA/14000 has a black opening knob, can white metal, push on lid - LTM only - the early model cassette
The IXMOO/14006 has a white opening knob, can black plastic, screw lid - not for M5 or late M6 or - flex - the later model

Either cassette should work with a IIIC>IIIF, although I dont have a LTM body to hand to try.

Check the open cassette does not have any burrs which might scratch, the film can spring back, dont know how you might remove easily but it is a better plan than felt.

Don't bend the latch(ing) spring more than necessary.

I think if you have a late M without the latch actuator on the baseplate you only need an older baseplate, from a parts camera - protects the new cameras finish as well, dont know about this for sure... Dont know why Leitz omitted latch mechanism.

One day (sic soon) we might be dependent upon bulk film?

Noel