M2/M3 quickload kits

[Bosk]

Would anyone happen to have any experience with these kits?

I've often wondered what sort of difference one would make to my M2 and how it would compare with film loading of an M4, for example.

Secondly, is eBay the only reliable source or do they pop up at places like KEH and Adorama too?


Cheers. 🙂

 

[JNewell]

They do pop up with various vendors, including KEH.

I've used one on an M3 for 30 years or so. It's not great, though I like it better than the original setup. Here's the issues.

First, on the M3 (and on an M2), you still have to manually reset the exposure counter.

Second, unlike the M4 and later version, where you just stick the leader through two of the slots, on the M2/M3 version you have to seat it in a single slot. That makes it a little slower, although I have to say I don't think I've ever had the M3 rapid load spool fail to secure the leader, which has happened to me with the M4/later version.

So, in short, a plus, but a modest plus.

You will probably get other opinions here, stay tuned.

 

[rover]

My M3 came with one installed. I have never had a problem. I think JNewell is right, not perfect, but I have never had a miss load. Compared to my M6, I have to open the back door and be sure the film is seated correctly and the sprocket is in the holes of the film. Just an extra check.

Oh, to reset the counter you just need to un-seat the take up spool and push it back down, not a big deal in my eyes.

 

[laptoprob]

I had one before, in my first M2. Really loved it. Now I have an M2 again and got a QL kit for it again. Unfortunately the M2 is in serious trouble now: one shutter curtain ripped of the metal siding. Very much out of action now. Time for some pro fixing.
I will keep the QL kit for the M2 though. Makes the loading a lot faster. Not as great as the M4 system but much better than the basic M2 method.

 

[john neal]

I have one on my M3, can't say that I find it any better than the standard spool to be honest - if anything, it grips the leader too well and makes rewinding a tad more touchy.

just my opinion....

DAG has the plastic part available at the moment - he may also have a spool, but i didn't look.

 

[ferider]

I have them on both M2 and M3. On the M2 they make more of a difference since
the counter has to be reset externally, anyways. Even on the M3 you have to pull
out the spool just a little.

Not as easy as an M6 but much easier than the original mechanism, IMO.

Roland.

 

[vrgard]

I like the standard spool better. I keep a spare to pre-thread the next roll to be inserted. I just bought another spool, and am thinking of taking the quick-load kit out of my M3 SS.

Having never used the quick load set up I can't comment. However, I like Brian's idea of simply using another spool. This makes sense to me, at least for an M3 where the frame counter resets automatically anyway.

Anybody got an extra spool or two they'd be willing to sell to me?

Thanks
Randy

 

[colyn]

Having never used the quick load set up I can't comment. However, I like Brian's idea of simply using another spool. This makes sense to me, at least for an M3 where the frame counter resets automatically anyway.

I have the QL on my M2 but my M3's use the standard spools of which I keep several for fast loading.

Anybody got an extra spool or two they'd be willing to sell to me?

Thanks
Randy

DAG sell the M spool..

 

[richard_l]

The original M2/M3 loading system is so easy and foolproof that I wouldn't consider replacing it with a quick loader.

 

[Film dino]

I like the standard spool better. I keep a spare to pre-thread the next roll to be inserted. I just bought another spool, and am thinking of taking the quick-load kit out of my M3 SS.

I agree with Brian. My M2 came with the quickload; but having a spare spool attached to the new film leader is far quicker on my M3 (although you need to keep the spool/film dust free when in the camera bag.) With a spare spool the rate limitng step in changing films is rewinding the exposed roll, rather than loading the new one. Getting a spare spool is also cheaper, as has been pointed out

 

[Ben Z]

My M3 came with a quickload, it was as others have said, almost as convenient as the M4-type. I have experience with the original spool loading from using screwmounts and to me it's a royal PITA and the quickload is no-contest far and away more user-friendly. I picked up a regular spool for the M3 at a flea market for $1 and that's what I sold the M3 with...got another C-note for the quickload kit in a separate sale. Guaging by their price, more people must like them than don't.