M4 and screw mount lenses - 2 basic questions

wintoid

wintoid

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OK I'm shortly to receive my M4 and a screw mount Konica UC-Hexanon lens, for which I've bought the Voigtlander 35/135 M adapter.

Firstly, how can I learn how to load the M4? I have seen that the back doesn't flip open like most bodies I've used, but can't quite work out how I will thread the film into something, and what I will be threading it into. Does the takeup spool have to be removed or something?

Secondly, what are the pitfalls with screwmount lenses on M adapters? Is there a focus inaccuracy if it's not screwed in properly? Is it obvious when you've got it set right?

Many thanks
 
Hi,

The main pitfall with adapters is that you need a good adapter with the right thickness. Unfortunately this is not obvious. However, screwing the lens in is unproblematic, just screw it in all the way.

Learning to load the M4 is easy:
- Take off the bottom, look in the camera from below. On the bottom plate there should be a loading guide.
- On one side there is empty space where the film canister goes, on the other side there is the takeup spool shaped like a "tulip" with three prongs.
- Spool enough of the film so that it reaches the tulip (not too much)
- Put in the canister and nestle the film into the tulip the way it's indicated on the bottom plate
- Open the door on the back and see that the film lies properly in the guide rails
- Start advancing the film; if it advances properly, close the back door & bottom, wind on two times and you're ready to go.

After the second or third film it should be pretty much automatic for you. It is more fiddly than a backdoor loader, but then mysterious are the ways of Leica.

Philipp
 
Here you go sir: http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=CEyt94xMNUY

Only difference is Tom is using a rapidwinder instead of a normal baseplate. Same except this one is thicker.

Philipp beat me to it with his excelllent description. As he says - it's simpler when you actually come to do it.

Oh, and the CV LTM<>M adapters are great, just use them and don't worry.
 
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As Philipp and Kully said. Real easy. Only addition:
When you wind after closing the bottom (2-3 times) make sure the rewind
knob turns.

Roland.
 
I never had any problem with either Spiratone or Accura M adapters. Spiratone used to sell them for $5 each or a set of three for $10, plus 35 cents shipping, back when an M4 body listed for $288. ;-)
 
After placing the film in the tulip, I find placing my thumb on the flim where the sprocket is ensures that the film feeds and the strip doesn't slip out of the tulip. If the tulip is doing too much pulling, the film occasionally slips out on my M4. Since I started using my thumb, no problems.
 
Thanks guys. Kind of hard to visualise this tulip, but hopefully I'll be referring back to this thread once I have the M4 in my hands 😀
 
If it gets too difficult, just send the M4 up to me and I will use it for you! :angel:

Kim

wintoid said:
Thanks guys. Kind of hard to visualise this tulip, but hopefully I'll be referring back to this thread once I have the M4 in my hands 😀
Click to expand...
 
I assume my lowly M4-P has the same mechanism as your M4, if that's right, you'll have a blast. It's one of the most ingenious (yet simple) film loading that is actually cool to see it work. 🙂
 
I use to fold the film tip (emulsion on emulsion) before loading it in the "tulip". Just a bit of the film, say 2 cm.
The tip is still outside but the fold is catched between two "petals".
I think it gives me a more positive loading. I once or twice badly loaded my M6 and it was a mess to pull out the film and reload.

Congrats on your (cool) new gear and good luck!
 
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They call it a "tulip" but think of it as three fingers. Just push the leader down between any two fingers, across the center, and then out between any two on the other side.
 
Hang on, am I reading this right, I can select the framelines I want to see? I thought this was linked to the lens mounted, which was why people file down their 40mm lenses. Is this only for M2/3?
 
The camera will "select" the lines according to the lens mounted. However, it is effectively spring loaded so you can overide the selection whilst you hold the selector lever.

Kim

wintoid said:
Hang on, am I reading this right, I can select the framelines I want to see? I thought this was linked to the lens mounted, which was why people file down their 40mm lenses. Is this only for M2/3?
Click to expand...
 
The little lever below the VF window is a frame selector that overrides the index on the lens. In is 90mm; out is 35/135mm.

You'll love the Leica. Get another one for color.
--Lindsay
 
Sanmich, we shouldn't be using the tem "Voodoo" in jest. Often spelled Voudou, it along with Santeria in Cuba and Obeah in the English speaking Carribean are actual living religions with hundreds of thousands of faithful followers.
 
Here's the bottom of my M4-P. As you can see the camera has instructions printed on it. The 'tulip' is on the right of the top photo, and is the main subject of the second.

openbottom.jpg


takeupspool.jpg


The back door is there so you can be sure the film is in the right place.

Once you do it, you will agree that bottom loading Leicas is the easiest camera to load.
 
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