Loading an early Nikkormat

[madNbad]

Having owned a lot of different early Nikon products, it's interesting to see how they evolved over the years. The latest is a 1966 Nikkormat FS with the earliest loading system that quickly disappeared.To insure the film will advance the leader must be inserted into one of two slots on the take-up spool then wound on a bit. After that, draw the cassette across, drop it in then lower the rewind crank and snug it up. I can see how later versions of the FT and FTn evolved for faster and more secure loading. If anyone has a better method, let me know.
P.S It probably worked a lot better with the long leader cassettes that were available ay the time.

[/url]1966 Nikkormat FS by Michael DeLuca, on Flickr[/IMG]

 

[Spavinaw]

With the Canon QL system you drop in the cartridge, pull the leader tip over to the take up spool, close the back and wind. You don't thread anything, Period!!!

 

[Bolo Kukus]

Loading those early 'mats is as easy as anything - just go with the flow and it will soon be second-nature. Sure, the later models did load a bit faster - but if you aren't a papparazo in the workplace, is speed that important anyway when loading film??


On the other hand, from your posted image, the felts in that camera look like they need replacing.