Leica LTM Load A Leica Bottom-Loader!

Leica M39 screw mount bodies/lenses
I live in Italy. Here, a very expert repairman showed me the perfect way to load my Zorki I (or for all the bottom loading Leica).
You have to insert the film, then set the shutter lever like as you just closed the bottom. Unscrew the lens. Set the time B and open the curtains. Through the curtains, you will see the film. Eventually adjusst the film vertically with your finger. Mark the frame with an "x", with a soft point marker keeping pressed the button, then release.
Advance one frame. If there is no more the sign, the film has been loaded correctly, and you wasted only two frame.
It is really a perfect way to load, and a precious ssuggestion. I was almost throwing my Zorki because I lost a couple of rolls that I loaded in a wrong way before those instruction.
To cut the film is no more necessary according to him. He told me that it was necessary (for some reason) only with the old film, that was really tiny.
 
I, personally, think it is much easyer & safer to just cut the film in the right way at home where I can take my time. It only take between 30 and 60 s and it saves me the hassle in the field.
 
My after market template .a hinged metal thing cost only a few bucks, it's easy to use, also giving me a chance to indulge in my hobby even on a rainy day. Having an ample supply of prepared film helps a lot. After loading up the film,as per the instructions, (that used to be hard ) I'm ready to shoot some pictures. Having performed the easy part, I now go forth to find that iconic shot that will last , amaze,and confound those that view it in the ages to come! Yup. .. ... the really hard part.
 
Something I learned the hard way: Don't pull out way too much leader before (or while) trimming the film. Or, if you do, be sure you advance the film enough times to get past the exposed portion once its loaded.

Loading for me was easy. I was SO confident in it, that once I saw the film on the sprocket and the rewind knob turning, I put the bottom on the camera and advanced it just one more frame before resetting the re-film counter. That wasn't enough! I lost frames 1-3 because I'd pulled out that much leader to get a better handle on it when I trimmed it.

:(
 
Hi folks!
I've got a Leica II. I roll my own from bulk. I use a locking
cable release, remove the lens. Film is cut at 90 degrees.
I can make sure it is OK.
Best, Rich
 
I precut at home and pull the leader over the open palm of my left hand which is exactly 10 cm in width. Cut the leader, load as advised in the manual.
 
I don't own a bottom loader any more but I stopped cutting long before I sold my IIIf. I tucked the leader in the spool, wrapped it once, fed the edge into the slot and the the spool onto it's hole on the end of the camera and bob's yer uncle. I had a Canon IVSb at the time I started that, so perhaps it was different but cutting the leader was always an unnecessary PITA.
 
I really don’t get the problem. Cutting is easy and when I don’t have a swiss army knife with me I jus tear a part of the film off with my fingers. It looks ugly but it works. On the other hand I have to load the Horizon so I maybe biased 😁
 
I always forget how difficult it is to load those older cameras...there's a certain charm to it though I suppose, if you enjoy the hands on pace of doing things.
 
I bulk load my 35mm film. The added time it takes to cut the leader for the Barnacks is inconsequential. It's impossible to put the film in a Nikon F without cutting at least a short leader anyway.
 
Doug A said:
I bulk load my 35mm film. The added time it takes to cut the leader for the Barnacks is inconsequential. It's impossible to put the film in a Nikon F without cutting at least a short leader anyway.
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Same here. I've bulk loaded 99% of my film since about 2010, and it's not like other cameras can't take the long leader.

Actually, that said, I think the only cameras that don't like it are the Contax and Kiev cameras... But those things are just fussy with how you load them anyway.
 
I used the business card method for the IIIf I used to own. The other method someone taught me required the removal of the lens and you have to push down the film against the pressure plate to clear the bottom rails. It’s pretty much fool proof but has to be done of course sitting down at the table. With the business card method my fastest time was 45 seconds while walking with the bottom plate between my teeth. No cutting the leader required. There was a time when I shot regularly with two ltm cameras.
 
Rayt said:
I used the business card method for the IIIf I used to own. The other method someone taught me required the removal of the lens and you have to push down the film against the pressure plate to clear the bottom rails. It’s pretty much fool proof but has to be done of course sitting down at the table. With the business card method my fastest time was 45 seconds while walking with the bottom plate between my teeth. No cutting the leader required. There was a time when I shot regularly with two ltm cameras.
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...45 seconds and shoving oddball stuff behind the shutter when a properly cut film can be loaded within twenty seconds?

(Seriously, I just timed it - from baseplate off to baseplate back on - after a bottle of wine.)

Yeah, I know which route I'm taking, thanks.
 
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