Leica LTM Trimming Film Leader

Leica M39 screw mount bodies/lenses
There are several threads here relating to this, here is even a sticky on how to load a bottom loader, which will give lengthy answers to the question of “why” to trim the leader, or even advice saying it’s not necessary.
Start here, and you will probably learn some things which will prove even more helpful to you than the “why”. And, congrats on your new Barnack.

https://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22421
 
healyzh said:
I just bought my first LTM Leica, a IIIf, and was looking into how to go about loading it. This video by Dan Tamarkin shows trimming the film leader. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LaBhFj0Rc2I


Simply put, why?
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Why? because if you do not trim the leader it is much harder to load especially when in a hurry - which when you are in the field you often are. It is possible to load without cutting but because you must load through the bottom of the camera the full width "shoulder" part of the shorter leader that comes pre cut has a tendency to catch on the camera's innards, sometimes tearing or jamming. (Poor cutting of the leader can cause this too - in particular make sure not to cut through one of the square winding holes in the film, try to make your cut between them. Also don't cut a sharp corner - round the the corner of the 90 degree turn as a sharp corner provides a tear point.)

It's a pain, but there you are! Try to regard it as part of the "charm" of shooting with an LTM camera. Like winding the film on using a knob instead of using a single or double stroke wind lever as in later cameras. Or not having a light meter.

Usually when cutting mine (when I had an LTM camera) I just ended up "winging it". Pull the leader out the length of the gap between the two cartridges / spools as a guide to length. Then make a the necessary cut using small sharp scissors or a hobby knife with disposable blades in a cutting board and a ruler for the straight lines. Or you can make a template - cardboard or better still, acetate or heavy duty plastic sheeting such as the plastic covers used for office binding machines all work well, the latter being more robust- you can use metal but its not needed. I initially used a template but as I say once I got used to the process gave it up in favor of eyeballing it. I am not sure if anyone is still making the type of template used in the Tamarkin video - they are based on an original Leica design.
 
Buy a template (big auction site), pre-cut your film leaders, and keep your sanity.

Yes, you CAN load a Barnack without trimming the leader, but when you are in the most hurry to reload, it will inevitably happen to hang up somewhere inside the camera, frustrating you to no end.
 
It is not easy to load a bottom loader without cut film leader but it is rather less important how you cut your leader - imo no need for a dedicated template.
 
Those templates are way, way over priced (as is everything w/ a Leica/Leitz tag on it). Just make your measurements and marks on your film leader and trim it. Plenty of instructions on the web regarding which sprocket hole to key the cut on. Then after you develop that roll, cut the leader off and bring it w/ you when you take the camera out in case you need to change a roll. Seriously, after cutting a few leaders it will become second nature. Lots of folks use a business card to smoosh the film into that little slot and don't trim the leader. I have never tried it though.

https://www.fedka.com/jay/index_files/Page345.htm
 
There's not much to it; without a template you just extend the thin bit of the leader and take care not to cut a spocket hole as you finish the cut. The last bit's the same shape as it was before you cut it off...



Regards, David
 
I don't trim with a guide. I just make a straight cut along the tongue and mimic the original notch (curve), making sure the cut doesn't go thru a sprocket hole. No issues at all.

Trying to load a Barnack without a trimmed leader is a royal pain in the @ss.
 
try doing it without a guide/template before becoming reliant on one. keeping track of a template in the field is a pain.
 
Really it depends on the individual camera weather or not you need to trim. I have had several bottom loaders that had no problem with short leaders, even leaders cut square across, like bulk loaded cassettes.
Then I had a Leica II that would foul short leaders every time, so I just cut them a bit longer with scissors.
 
I use a Photonbox template, and while it works okay, it's not the most convenient way to trim a leader since it has a tendency to come apart when loading it.


One method I used before was to have a drawing on a thick piece of card showing the proper length. I then marked the film before cutting it free hand with scissors. It worked just fine, but was easily misplaced, and wound up in the trash.


PF
 
My thanks to everyone that replied. I've finished the first roll and most of the second. I think that I’m hooked. I love the size and weight of the camera compared to even my M6 TTL. Something tells me that I've finally found a "daily carry" camera.
 
Steve M. said:
Lots of folks use a business card to smoosh the film into that little slot and don't trim the leader.
Click to expand...


I use one of the thin plastic loyalty cards that shops often give you. There's no need to trim the leader at all. You just slot the card in between the pressure plate and film gate all the way to the bottom, then slide the film into the camera in between the card and the pressure plate. No smooshing involved and it works a charm. I'm surprised so many people still trim the leader tbh.
 
jonmanjiro said:
I use one of the thin plastic loyalty cards that shops often give you. There's no need to trim the leader at all. You just slot the card in between the pressure plate and film gate all the way to the bottom, then slide the film into the camera in between the card and the pressure plate. No smooshing involved and it works a charm. I'm surprised so many people still trim the leader tbh.
Click to expand...

Plus one. Easy to do and works perfectly every time.
 
Plus three for the thin plastic card. It really is very simple to use. Just make sure the card is pushed all the way in and it will provide a smooth entry for the film. Then back wind the film until it engages in the sprockets, shoot two blanks, zero the counter and you're ready to go.
 
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