Leica LTM Reccomendation a leader trimmer for me.

[Jbennett68]

Picked up my first screw mount Leica last week. I was in SLC for my daughter’s graduation and stopped in a camera store and they had just taken in a iiif and 5sm Summitar I couldn’t resist. What the best affordable template or trimmer to get?

 

[Beemermark]

Pair of scissors. All templates are the same (why wouldn't they be). I have the original Leitz around some where and a couple of knock offs. Can never find them when I want them and I just use scissors.

 

[Coldkennels]

I'm with Beemermark: a pair of scissors.

I had an ABLON (the original Leitz template) for a little while and found it actually gave me a worse leader than I could do with scissors. I struggled to get a smooth curve without jagged edges with the ABLON, for some reason; I think the work knife I was using had too wide a blade, and the template actually got in the way somewhat, so I just went back to doing it freehand with scissors.

You don't need to be too precise: I pull out enough film from the canister to cover the full width of my hand (including my thumb - pressed against the fingers, not extended!), and then cut in from the end about half-way up the film, starting a smooth curve upwards after 7-8cm or so (about 3", for the old-money folks), ensuring I rejoin the full-width section of the film between two sprocket holes and with another smooth curve.

The key is to make sure it's all one smooth edge, with no nicks, false starts, or sharp corners. Making it too long is better than making it too short, too.

This is the best explanation on the internet, as far as I'm concerned: Cutting Leica Leader and Leica film loading

The only other catch: make sure the sprocket holes engage with the sprocket teeth. That's the only way loading a Barnack can go wrong, and it's a mistake you only make once.

 

[WoodallP]

As I always carry a Swiss Army Knife, I have, and do, use scissors as admirably detailed above. However, when preparing at home I use a 3d printed Ablon clone:

Leica ABLON style film leader trimming guide. by PariahProps

This film leader trimming guide is my take on the original Leica ABLON metal version. Old bottom loading Leicas need a much longer film leader than is cut into modern 35mm film, the guide helps to get the right shape to prevent things going awry in your camera.Some people will sneer and say...

www.thingiverse.com

There are others but this one has four sprocket hones to align and works well with a sharp scalpel. However, I’d only bother if you have access to a 3d printer (i.e. don’t pay a service, it’s not worth it). Also beware when threading wire though the hinge as although they are tough when assembled it is easy to break when putting them together.

 

[santino]

Yeah, a swiss army knife with it’s scissors.

 

[WoodallP]

At the end of the day, if everyone who bought a Barnack from new bought an Ablon, then the market would be full (unless they were all converted into door hinges). I still prefer to use one when I can though.

 

[raydm6]

Another LTM/Barnack film loading technique is where you take the lens off, place the shutter on "T", and load/guide the film through the lens opening.

https://www.michaelandersonlrps.co.uk/downloads/Leica_Barnack_Screw_Mount_Camera_Film_Loading.pdf

 

[p.giannakis]

Another LTM/Barnack film loading technique is where you take the lens off, place the shutter on "T", and load/guide the film through the lens opening.

That's what I always did. I had my hands slapped once for suggesting it though as it is not a good idea to put fingers through shutter rails.

 

[Coldkennels]

Another LTM/Barnack film loading technique is where you take the lens off, place the shutter on "T", and load/guide the film through the lens opening.

Yeah.... don't do this. It's slower, a lot more clumsy, and as @p.giannakis has already pointed out, it's a damn good way to accidentally bugger something up.

Cutting film leaders takes all of five seconds, and "Leica leaders" will work in every other camera, so there's no reason not to do it to any film you have lying around. I bulk load 80-99% of all film I shoot anyway (the number has dropped a bit of late as I've been playing with some other film stocks), but I spend five minutes cutting new leaders when a new order of commercially-rolled film comes in - usually while waiting for the kettle to boil or something.

 

[neal3k]

When I got my first Barnack (of many now) I watched a YouTube video of someone trimming the leader just by eye with scissors. I liked the simplicity and have trimmed at least 200 Barnack leaders since then. I would never even consider a template. I even use the front of the camera to measure 4" needed for the leader. Measure yours and then you will know how long to trim the leader.

 

[Dralowid]

In extremis I have failed to do it with my teeth but have managed with a restaurant's knife.

 

[tlloydau]

Trimming the leader by hand is easy with a pair of scissors. I try to use a single fluid arcing cut to avoid leaving small cuts that might tear later during use.
These days I don't bother trimming the leader at all. A normal sized paper business card will fit perfectly in the space. I then push my leader between the pressure plate and the card avoiding the gears. Pull out the card and wind on like normal. The card is easy to keep in a wallet so it's always on you when you need it.

 

[raydm6]

Yeah.... don't do this. It's slower, a lot more clumsy, and as @p.giannakis has already pointed out, it's a damn good way to accidentally bugger something up.

Cutting film leaders takes all of five seconds, and "Leica leaders" will work in every other camera, so there's no reason not to do it to any film you have lying around. I bulk load 80-99% of all film I shoot anyway (the number has dropped a bit of late as I've been playing with some other film stocks), but I spend five minutes cutting new leaders when a new order of commercially-rolled film comes in - usually while waiting for the kettle to boil or something.

Let Stephen (@CameraQuest) know so he can remove it from his web site 🙂.

Plus, Youxin Ye also showed me this method when I was at his house last time.

Leica Screw Mount Cameras

 

[titrisol]

There are several templates, the 20 hole trim is useful in Leicas, Realists and a few other cameras of the time
You can either print a template or an ablon-like but after the first 4-5 rolls I learned how to do it by eye very easily
Check: Cutting Leica Leader and Leica film loading

Film Trimmer for Leica and Russian Clones

Film Trimmer for Leica and Russian Clones: I use old cameras including a Leica IIIf and a couple of Zorkis. The problem with bottom loading cameras is that the film can be difficult to load. There are one or two suggestions on the net, and of course there is the official Leica tool the 'ABLO…

www.instructables.com

or: Lomography - Snip It Good: A DIY Film Leader Trimmer

and search thingiverse or printables for templates or clones of the Ablon
my favorite is this one Leica III film cutting tool by diygallery

 

[Pioneer]

I do like the idea of using the base of the camera to measure how far back to start your cut. That little template (Ablon) is just one more thing for me to lose.I typically count back 20 sprocket holes from the beginning of the film strip and cut the leader with a scissors. I think that most Barnack Leicas have a little drawing of what it should look like on the inside of the base of the camera. If it isn't there find a picture on-line, print it and paste it in place. I do carry a Swiss Army style knife with scissors and I may have used it to cut a leader or two. I can't remember if I have or not but if you have to cut one then just cut a spare and carry it with you.

Don't worry, you will screw it up a few times but eventually you will figure it out. 😀

 

[Phil_F_NM]

Always used my Swiss Army Knife, cut a leader about the length of my index finger and happily snapped along.
Phil

 

[GMOG]

Check this out:

Arista 35mm Film Cutting Guide - Large

Place film inside the guide and use scissors to trim around edge for a perfect leader when bulk loading 35mm film.

www.freestylephoto.com

Is it "affordable" because someone left the word "Leica" out?

A friend bought that Arista guide and it works well. He uses a single blade instead of scissors to make the cut.

 

[Particular]

I have never ever cut the leader for my IIIc. As I live in NYC and have always had a Metrocard in my pocket, I have used that. Drop the card in the slot where the film goes. Load the film behind, on the pressure plate side, and push it down. The card prevents the corner of the film snagging on the film gate, which is the issue. Remove the card, and close the camera.
You can use any thin (business) card, keeping in mind that Metrocards are being phased out this year. If you are forgetful like me, and don't remember to prepare your film for a particular camera, this is a simple solution.
When I used to roll my own film for my M3, I also never cut the leader, because it works fine with the film spool as is. Not cutting the leader also meant I did't need to trim the film before loading on the developing reel. I haven't tried, but I bet this would also work with an LTM camera.

 

[WoodallP]

Check this out:

Arista 35mm Film Cutting Guide - Large

Place film inside the guide and use scissors to trim around edge for a perfect leader when bulk loading 35mm film.

www.freestylephoto.com

Is it "affordable" because someone left the word "Leica" out?

A friend bought that Arista guide and it works well. He uses a single blade instead of scissors to make the cut.

This looks good and the price is right. Pity no one seems to be selling them outside of the US. eTone have one in metal but it is twice the price.

However, we must remember that Leitz never sold these at a high price. The fact that they now sell at the same price as a Barnack is just greed on someone’s part unfortunately.

 

[armadsen]

I use one like the one from freestyle linked above. Can’t remember where I got it, but it looks exactly the same. It works great with my pocket knife and gives me a nicer more consistent result. Not that that’s necessary, I just like it.

Incidentally which SLC store did you find the IIIf in?