Reloadable Cassettes 35mm

[Coldkennels]

People should be aware that many camera manufacturers (Leica, Nikon, Pentax, Canon, Zeiss, Exacta, to name a few) made really nice brass 35mm re-usable film cassettes for specific models of their cameras. These are without a doubt the best reusable cassettes one can get, particularly the ones that open up when the back is closed so that there's no light-trap in contact with the film to potentially scratch it.

I'll second this. I've been using FILCAs for the screwmount Leicas for a long, long time and hate having to go back to the felt-lined reloadables for other cameras.

There's a couple of other things to consider, though:

1. Early cameras tend to work better with the intended cassettes than they do modern ones. For example, screwmount Leicas and pre-war Contaxes both expect a longer cassette than the modern standard, so the cassette drops and the film ends up too low and slightly crooked in the camera, causing the image to be slightly on the sprocket holes. Using the original cassettes stops that happening.
   • (I also think early Leicas balance better with the FILCA in; that lump of brass really gives it an extra bit of heft)
2. I've yet to find a single bulk loader that can reliably close the Zeiss-style cassettes (with two metal pins on top); this style was also used by Nikon, Canon, FED, Zorki, and Leotax (on the late models), so make sure you have a dark bag to hand if you're loading those just in case you can't get it closed. The Leica style cassette is a much more reliable setup, and closes with a definite and reassuring click. I wish more companies had followed that design.
3. The adjustable Shirley Wellard works in most SLRs that I've tried - and even some compacts (I used to use it in a Trip 35). They're a handy investment if you're not locked in to one single system.
4. The one downside to this is having to carry multiple types of cassette for multiple bodies. Taking out a Leica and a Contax at the same time? Better make sure you've got film for both.

 

[Saganich]

I have and am using examples of all mentioned above. The best advice it to keep them in film cans all the time and never loose in your pockets or bags, etc. The felt attracts dirt and may not be as light tight as you want so sometimes the first exposure or two will have leakage.