OK, so I've got some ltm leica....

[eli griggs]

cassettes with cans and they range in condition from well used and brassed to what looks like new.

All the springs are tight and therein is the trouble, on one the spring is so tight I'd have some doubts putting it in the camera, wondering if it'll open, so here's my question; how tight can these be, can they be too tight to open properly once in the camera?

Eli

 

[jolefler]

I would guess not, Eli. Once the cassette is seated fully in the body, the spring should be forced away from the detente on the inner cannister.

I would imagine you could insert each empty cannister in the body, leaving the base plate off and see how much force it takes to rotate the nub that opens the cassette. Keep in mind it may feel stiff as you won't have the mechanical advantage of the baseplate locking key.

Jo

 

[eli griggs]

Thanks Jo, I'll try to run the current roll through as quickly as I can so I can give this a try.

One of the cases, the one plastic Leica I received had a crumbly felt 'doughnut' and a smaller one in the bottom of the can. Is this important; I have no idea what's it for?

Eli

 

[jolefler]

Donuts...

Donuts...

keep the film from dropping too low on the pressure plate. I've got one or two bad ones; the only thing that happens is the upper edge of the image gets into the sprocket holes...usually only a slight amount. Use a little cement to reinsert it in the cassette. You can make new ones from whatever scrap felt you have laying around. From prior experience, I suggest NOT using one of the better half's hats! 🙄

You can decide where to place them by eyeballing the spool through the opening in the cassette. The spool's edges should be right at the edges of the opening. There shouldn't be any big play in the spool (top to bottom), and the spool should rotate freely in a locked or fully seated cassette.

Jo

 

[eli griggs]

I'll be sure to check all of these out then; I don't want any of that curdy loose material going through my camera. Perhaps some medical 'moleskin' with its self-adhering backing would be a good fit, I'll have to see if I still have some here.

Eli