re: first leica experience - I screw up the 1st, and 2nd rolls

[Nigel Meaby]

It's not very clear. I guess they are referring to bulk loaded film, which would need to be trimmed as well as ready "trimmed" rolls of film. Maybe leica users are thought to only use bulk loaders in the eyes of Leica!! I jest of course in case any one thinks I'm being serious.

 

[Turtle]

I have just started on my first roll in my new MP. I followed the instructions apart from I did not trim the leader. After I ensured that the leader went into the tulup take up I gently pushed it down to be sure that it was nicely seated inside . I then shut the camera up and did what the instructions said. Straight away the rewind nob centre with the two red dots rotated. I assume I did the same as the poster and so dont know why mine worked and hers did not -weird?

I assume that if the centre pin to the rewind nob is rotating it must be functioning correctly, right?

 

[Xmas]

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah

I apologise the 45 degree cut is the leader for the M2 and M2 add on auto loader device, so sorry. memory fade.

The short leader commercialised since '72 will do for M4 and later, and for M2 and M3 add on loader.

The long 22 sprocket hole Leica template leader is only necessary for pre M cameras, Fed, & Zorki, etc. bottom loaders. This stops you flying, as they will confiscate childrens scissors... and if you buy film on holiday you have to trim it in the cam shop.

Noel

 

[ywenz]

If your film is not catching in the spool, do this:

Fold a "V" or a zip-zag pattern into the tip of the film roll and then insert into the take up spool The V is so that it is easier for the take up spool to catch onto the film strip.

 

[Xmas]

Dont crimp the end of the film that creates a hazard

If you crimp the film end you risk damage to the camera, if it is necessary to crimp, there is somethibg wrong with the camera. If it is not necessary there may be something wrong soon.

Noel

 

[richard_l]

If your film is not catching in the spool, do this:

Fold a "V" or a zip-zag pattern into the tip of the film roll and then insert into the take up spool The V is so that it is easier for the take up spool to catch onto the film strip.

That has the potential to cause damage to the shutter curtain when you rewind. Besides, it is unnecessary.

Richard

 

[wen]

update...

...my 3rd roll was not success loaded. The rewinder (with 2 red dots) didn't rotate, I kept trying advance 6-7 times, still won't. So, I rewind back, totally waste films. Can I save those 3 rolls??? How to pull back the leader after I rewind all back???

thanks everyone for all the advises. the 4th roll loaded successfully (well, I haven't finished the whole roll yet, but, I saw the rotation while I advance.) I used the one I trim the leader. I haven't tried one without trim.

another thing I felt so stupid thinking back...I followed the diagram, the diagram show the film leader, and the leader show trim straight...guess what, I trim all rolls striaght!!! not until I saw all your advise, post, and links, I found out, it is not trim straight...so, I end up need to re cut the shape back...

well, always have the first time embreassment...I guess I will always remember this and have a good laugh about this later when I am good on every loading film to Leica....

thanks so much for all your encouragement...

 

[Socke]

Wen, there are film extractors to get the leader back out of a canister, I have one from Ilford.

It's a bit tricky to use but it works.

 

[Xmas]

wen

Dont feel bad about the M loading I only get about 99% first time, using the leitz method. I avoid the thinner film, it may work ok, dont know.

This is not a trivial problem.

An extractror is not easy to use without practice, if you are near a photo shop buying a reusable plastic cassette may be simpler.
Waiting until is dark outside and crawling under bed clothes
Or using a cupboard in an internal room or a bathroom without a window.
Any make shift darkroom, plus bottle opener to open the cassette and move the reel and film to the reloadable cassette. Most reels are sufficiently similar that they will swap without light leakage.

When you get the M settled in as a trusted member of the family you can think about B&W and developing your own and scanning, bulk loading from 30m lengths using Leitz cassettes keeps my hobby cheap(er). The leitz cassettes have no felt light traps to scratch the film, and last forever.

Noel