anoldsock
Established
I've heard a lot of heart ache over loading film with the Leica LTM, and was expecting the worst when i loaded my Leica for the for time today. To my surprise it was pretty easy and straight forward. It was much to do about nothing. Granted it was a little more involving than loading film in a camera which the back swings open, but still...it wasn't that bad. 
Last edited:
George Bonanno
Well-known
I agree... a big to-do about nothing.
Sort of like learning the Morse Code.
It's actually about old dogs and new tricks... they just don't get it.
Sort of like learning the Morse Code.
It's actually about old dogs and new tricks... they just don't get it.
Gary Sandhu
Well-known
Got a iiif 2 weeks ago -- no big deal here either.
TheHub
Well-known
Been using a IIIf since last summer, no problems here either.
projectbluebird
Film Abuser
My first bottom loader was a Zorki. The first 2 times I loaded it, it took awhile. After that it was fine. When I finally got my IIIf last year, I had no trouble loading it.
Woof!
Woof!
semrich
Well-known
I've had more than a few rolls through my IIIf never a problem after my repair guy showed me how to do it the first time.
thetooth
Well-known
i find it's hit and miss . sometimes is goes great other times it seems like you chose the most brittle film possible and you let the explicatives fly .
yesterday i could not load a roll of color film , frustrated i took it out and loaded a roll of black and white no problem .
yesterday i could not load a roll of color film , frustrated i took it out and loaded a roll of black and white no problem .
Roger Hicks
Veteran
I've never understood why people get so excited about it either.
Mind you, when I started using Leicas, films were still sold with the long leader, i.e you didn't have to trim them.
Cheers,
R.
Mind you, when I started using Leicas, films were still sold with the long leader, i.e you didn't have to trim them.
Cheers,
R.
merlin
Established
Yeah, why the fuss? Count back 15 (or 13 or 17) sprocket holes, scissor-in 45º close behind the wasted hole and swing up the lean side of the center line to the leader tip, then round the newly-cut sprocket-side shoulder with a fine snip or two. Cutting straight isn't too important, leaving rough edges where the film can hang up, IS.
I've found that visually verifiying sprocket-to-film engagement is much quicker and easier when the rewind knob is under light tension while advancing/engaging the film – particularly those less-bendy films thetooth just mentioned.
I've found that visually verifiying sprocket-to-film engagement is much quicker and easier when the rewind knob is under light tension while advancing/engaging the film – particularly those less-bendy films thetooth just mentioned.
payasam
a.k.a. Mukul Dube
As a child I saw people loading screw Leicas, so bottom loading has never seemed strange.
januaryman
"Flim? You want flim?"
While I never have, so far - I found this and it looked easy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=heMk-4hde9E
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=heMk-4hde9E