Loading film into a Leica CL??

[animefx]

This is a pretty good scan I found of the manual, please jump to page 11 of the pdf (page 20 on the original manual)

http://www.summilux.net/documents/NoticeLeicaCL.pdf

I can kind of tell what's going on but I'm not sure what they are doing in step 2... looks like they are pulling something out (i'm not talking about pulling the film) and on step 3 I can't really see how it's "hooked" into the spool? the spool is the thing on the right, correct?.

I've tried loading a cheap roll of Kodak Max on it and couldn't do it. It's embarassing but even when I was a child I had no problems loading film... This isn't like the other Leica M camera for loading film either.

Can someone help me out here? I'm a digital user struggling a little

I wish someone would could post a video on YouTube, there is a loading film video for just about every other Leica.

 

[Jamie Pillers]

Hi there,
In step 2 the person has the film canister in his hand with the film leader sticking out a few inches (as it comes new). He's pushing the end of the leader down between the white part of the spool and the black part. Then he'll gently pull the film canister across the shutter opening and set the canister down into the compartment on the other side of the shutter opening.

Then, with your thumb on the film canister, gently advance the film winder a bit to make sure the film is tight across the shutter opening; flip the film plate back over the film; put the body back together.. you're all set. Cock the shutter a couple of times and you're ready to go.

 

[Armoured]

Hmm, can't help with youtube. but in words:
1) Take the bottom part off. Keep it handy.
2) Tilt the camera so the plate with the metal springs folds down.
3) You can either put the fim cannister on the left immediately, then draw the film across, then insert the lead of the film in between the plastic sprockets, or insert lead into plastic sprockets and draw across and put the spool on the left.
4) To make sure it's gripping on the sprockets, advance the lever (if shutter is already charged you may have to press the shutter button first). Getting the film in the little slots in the plastic is not that tricky and it doesn't need to be perfect - just test it by winding the film (advancing the lever). If the film is advancing, it's working. At this point, I find it works best to wind the film until it's flat with not much 'looseness' in the film (makes putting the bottom plate back on easier).
5) Push the little plate with the springs back over the film.
6) Put the door back on, making sure to keep the little plate down (should be automatic).
7) Close the door with the middle bottom lever and lock in place.

Good luck!

 

[animefx]

other confusions...

other confusions...

Ok, I zoomed in on the PDF to see it better and figured it out

 

[wiedo]

Normally i don't have any problems loading films in camera's.. until i bought the CL, when i advance the film doesn't grip the sprockets and i have to start over again (sometimes i have to wind the film manually a little). Still need 3 to 6 attempts until it finally is loaded correctly.. Only irritating thing about the CL.

 

[Brian Levy]

One thing is that the take up spool winds opposite of most other cameras. As you face it, it winds from right to left. I insert the film onto the take up real consistent with the winding direction, hence facing towards the lens. This way there is no pressure on the tangs that some owners have reported as easy to break. I start the wind so the film advances in the right direction and then place the film cassette into the camera and flip the pressure plate, take up the slack and close it up.

Some owners or the CL when they first get them have had problems with the film leader sliding out of the take up spool because they insert it incorrectly. Once you understand this it is intuitive and takes no longer than any otehr camera.

 

[SteveA]

In my experience, the CL was the easiest of the (3) Leicas I've owned to thread. It is way easier than the IIIF and a little easier than the M5. I never experienced a false start or a torn sprocket hole on any roll shot through the CL.

Steve

 

[HoodedOne]

I have a CL for two days now, and loaded two rolls of film in it without any problems. But maybe it's because it loads very identical to the ZI.