Leica LTM Load A Leica Bottom-Loader!

Leica M39 screw mount bodies/lenses
My inherited IIIf came with the ABLON template, which I used to think was used just for cutting leaders on bulk film. In the meantime (for 30 years or more) I loaded the camera with standard short-leader film without removing the lens and using business cards, etc. I never had any trouble. The ABLON came with a neat little notched knife that's run along the edge of the template -- no snags and eliminates the need for a cutting board.
 
frederik@shaw.c said:
My inherited IIIf came with the ABLON template, which I used to think was used just for cutting leaders on bulk film. In the meantime (for 30 years or more) I loaded the camera with standard short-leader film without removing the lens and using business cards, etc. I never had any trouble. The ABLON came with a neat little notched knife that's run along the edge of the template -- no snags and eliminates the need for a cutting board.
Click to expand...


I bought two ABLON type leader cutting templates made in Taiwan from the USA for my bottom loader, then sold the camera. They work great and are "idiot-proof", but loading a was a real pain in the......so me and my sweet Leotax had to part ways. They are both new, very nicely made of steel and have a satin chrome finish. I'll take $35.00 for each shipped free to anywhere in the world from Korea.

Thanks,
Bill
 
Hi Bill, I'm very much looking forward to your sweet Leotax, and I'm glad other forum members weren't interested. Thank you.
When I graduated to 35mm way back in '61 memory tells me all the films available then were finished with long leaders for bottom loading cameras,and I remember my father could load them easily into his IIIa(bought new in 1936).
I carry a little pair of nail scissors and my index finger is 4cm from knuckle to tip,so I just pull the film out to that length and recut the leader.I tried using an ABLON but found the blade snagged on the curved edge.
 
Heresy

Heresy

I use both a black dial IIIf and a IIIc converted to a IIIf and the following procedure works perfectly. I snip the leader off completely, stick the flat edge of the film under the spring on the take up spool, making sure the film lies evenly top to bottom on the spool, pull out enough film to make loading the cassette and the take up spool into the camera painless, tighten the tension on the cassette, put on the bottom and away I go. Works every time.
 
A leitz Ablon is the only way to go. Good light is also crucial in order to see the sprockets and film engage.
I am heartened by all those who say that it soon becomes second nature.
Satisfying though!
David
 
David 11084 said:
A leitz Ablon is the only way to go. Good light is also crucial in order to see the sprockets and film engage.
I am heartened by all those who say that it soon becomes second nature.
Satisfying though!
David
Click to expand...
Eh, it's not necessary , a good pair of nail scissors, or trim several rolls before leaving the house and have them at the ready to load and go. This has become second nature and I'm faster loading a bottom loader than a hinged back camera.
 
For IIIf (or other Barnacks) I do what -doomed- said. I've got several precut rolls of Tri-X with the cap marked "B" for Barnack.

Never missed the film loading with either IIIf's or Ms. I think it's more fool proof than regular back door loading.
 
The Ablon is the way to go. Once the film is inserted and tweaked with the rewind knob to engage you are home and dry. It does take practice but as several members have said it really isn't that difficult. I have put 6 films through my 1928 1A and each time it has been easier-so much so that I am now ready to take pre-cut film with me and load whilst out and about. The first 6 attempts were a real study in concentration under a bright light!
David
 
I used the leader trimming method twice, with success, when I first got my iiif. Then I was stuck without trimmed film or anything to cut it with.

I put the removed the lens, set shutter to T and wiggled the film in. Easy and no leader loss.

I think that having trimmed film in the bag is a better idea however.
 
the leader needs to be cut very far from close to the leica template. Good enough is good enoug (zorki 5)
 
To cut a film to fit a bottom loader is not rocket science. No need for a template just cut it close to what you have read on the internet. you will feel it if you have not cut it enough, the film will not fit...... if yes cut it a little more.
 
Hi Mark, I too use the ABLON....essential!
Last weekend i managed to load some pre-cut film wh
ilst out and about; a far cry from struggling for ages to load my 1A when i first had it!
I love the sentiment about keeping these Barnacks alive!
David
 
i count 22 sprocket holes... steady hand with a tiny pair of folding scissors... trim... i like making a nice rounded tail... memories of elementary school construction paper projects... load... rewind a bit to take up the slack and have the holes fall onto the sprockets... it's all easier than the wordy descriptions make it out to be.
 
I must admit, I've never checked engagement of the sprocket teeth. It Just Works.

I have used the alternative method of NOT trimming the leader but first slipping piece of thin card into the film gate to guide the film over the rails. This takes about the same amount of time and you might get a couple more exposures out of a roll.
 
Aren't most purchased film in the canister already cut for the lead-in?

There's one thing that helped make loading film go smoothly. It was stated in the original manual: Before loading, engage and wind up, press the shutter, then wind up again, and this time, DON'T press the shutter. From here when you load the film things will be in the right position. The take up spool and the film roll should and will set into their respective places at the same time.
 
HLing said:
Aren't most purchased film in the canister already cut for the lead-in?
Click to expand...

Obviously they are, but the lead part isn't long enough. The idea is that the cutout in the longer leader misses the sprocket teeth and the film easily falls into place, and when wound on the teeth then engage with the film.

I find the Cameraquest solution with modern film the easiest and safest in practice even though it does at first seem more long winded than other methods.

Steve
 
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