Loading a Leica IIf

[angeloks]

Hey,

I was wondering if it really changed something if we cut the negative like they ask you too... I think it's a waste of time, but I'm not sure...

So, can I use my film without trimming them, or I should just stick to the instructions?

Thanks,
Julien

 

[alternatve]

I would advise you to do so.

I thought it was pretty silly myself, untill I nearly jammed a roll of XP-2 in my newly bought IIIc.

Anyway, you are using a 1940's camera that is totally manual, has no rangefinder, viewfinder and metering at all. I would think that cutting the film to the correct size is the least of your worries. 🙂

 

[egpj]

You should probably cut the lead...but when I am in a pinch I usually just slip it in by leading the film canister in first and then the take up descending a couple of centimeters behind the film canister. This creates a little bit of an angle. If you feel it catch then you have one of those contrary rolls. If mine catches then I take the lense off and shift the shutter speed dial to bulb. Advance the film so you can trigger the shutter and hold the shutter button down while checking to make sure your not bound up. It takes some practice but I very rarely trim the leads anymore. Only when I know I'm going to be out shooting and their will not be time to do the lense juggling and so on.

Trim the leader would probably be best and wise.

 

[ugly bokeh]

Julien,

I will agree with Alternatve. Trimming of the film is a must. If you don't trim the film, the film will hit the shutter curtain and you will actually see the curtain moving while loading a film that has not been trimmed.

Nelson

 

[payasam]

Trimming the leader to shape takes only a minute or so. You can have a couple of rolls pre-trimmed and waiting to be loaded.

Alternatve, the IIf has both R/F and V/F. It has no slow speeds. It is a 1950s camera, later than the IIIc.

 

[xayraa33]

factory loaded film cassettes for Leica cameras made by the major photographic film producers of the 1940's and 1950's came with the film leader cut to that Barnack camera recommended style.
there was a reason for this.

 

[Xmas]

The problem with a miss load is it might create a film shard, which can damage a shutter blind, if it gets in the works, so cut at 22 sprocket holes with scissors.

Some film bases are impossible without scissors.

No other technique is as safe.

Noel

 

[alternatve]

Trimming the leader to shape takes only a minute or so. You can have a couple of rolls pre-trimmed and waiting to be loaded.

Alternatve, the IIf has both R/F and V/F. It has no slow speeds. It is a 1950s camera, later than the IIIc.

Ah, my bad, I thought he was referring to a If. My dating of it seems to be off either way. I guess I still have lots to learn.

 

[reagan]

I tried not trimming for a long time, taking my time, not forcing anything, etc. I have one Zorki.1 that, for whatever reason, loads easily every time without trimming. But the rest, (and I prefer bottom loaders, so I have several) it's just less hassle to trim first, load easily.

 

[24684784]

The old method for loading any screw Leica WITHOUT cutting the leader is to insert cartridge and spool (with film between them) part-way into the body, then insert a standard business card between the film and shutter housing.
Push the business card in until you feel resistance (it's seated against the central part of the shutter housing).

Push the film all the way in and begin winding; when the film is seen to be winding freely (look at the movement of the rewind knob), remove the business card, attach the baseplate and wind on as normal for two frames before setting the frame counter.

Works a treat.

David

 

[Nikon Bob]

I would go with the majority here and say trim the leader as recommended. I first tried without trimming and buggered up the film with some film shards left in the camera as a bonus. If you are going to use the business card route I would guess that it is about as time consuming as trimming the leader so I don't bother.

Bob

 

[payasam]

There's a sticky thread about loading a bottom loader. Just about everything has been said there.

 

[Xmas]

The old method for loading any screw Leica WITHOUT cutting the leader is to insert cartridge and spool (with film between them) part-way into the body, then insert a standard business card between the film and shutter housing.
Push the business card in until you feel resistance (it's seated against the central part of the shutter housing).

Push the film all the way in and begin winding; when the film is seen to be winding freely (look at the movement of the rewind knob), remove the business card, attach the baseplate and wind on as normal for two frames before setting the frame counter.

Works a treat.

David

To use this method you need to mimic the origional leader shape with the card, so it needs more instructions.

I'm sure I recall the origional leader was on all commercial cassettes/darkroom loads until at least '72 (when I sold my IIf, for an M). So trimming was only needed if you bulk loaded, using a card is new fangled, and exposed to damage.

Noel