Using an ABLON Template

[Sadaf62]

I just picked up one of these nifty templates to use with my Leica lllf. It looks straightforward enough to use, but I'm wondering what the perpendicular (to the film) slot in the lower half, is used for? If I run the film through this slot, it causes a very sharp crease across the film width.
Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[Ronald M]

The long curved portion is for the long leader required for the screw mt cameras. The pointed end is for triming the arrow point that goes into the spool of the brass cassettes.
This is a critical cut if you do it right so film does not jam in the spool.

The slot is so you can trim the arrow in a daylight loader without exposing 3 or 4" inches of film. Bring the film up from the bottom. Watson 66B and other models will accept the brass cassettes and the knobs will open and close them. I have used them, but prefer the bench winder and total darkness.

The crease does not matter because you don`t take pics there.

FILCA are the screw mount cassette. IXMOO are the M cassettes and are backwards compatable to screw mt cameras. FILCAS will not fit in M cameras. FILCA are easily found and cheap. Try Tamarkin Camera.

Early M 6 cameras were the last ones to support the brass cassettes. TTL bases can be exchanged and the cassettes work. They do not work in M7 or MP no matter what.
Next find the cassettes and a bench winder, improved model, so you can load in the dark.

ABLON is a waste of money just for thining the leaders. Small scisors work as well. But the point, no way to do it right in the dark without ablon.

http://www.rogerandfrances.com/subscription/ps how load bulk.html

 

[Sadaf62]

thanks so much!!!

 

[Erik van Straten]

I do not agree with Ronald M that only using the point of the ABLON is the way to cut the end of the film that has to be pushed into the slot of the spool. I cut the end of the film with scissors in total darkness just by estimation and it always works right.
I do agree however to use the benchwinder. It is convenient to mount it on the wall at a height of 1.60 m. When the film touches the ground you'll know the length of the film exactly.

Erik.

 

[Ronald M]

I don`t see much point in cutting the leader in the dark. It gets exposed when you put film in the camera anyway. But there is no disadvantage if you master it

 

[shadowfox]

Just cut the leader in the light. I don't use templates either, after you do it once, you'll remember it.

 

[David 11084]

I cut the leader in the light and would be lost without the Ablon!
It is possible freehand with scissors but I find it fiddly.... your Ablon is a good find!
Once used a couple of times it becomes second nature; although curiously difficult ot explain 'how'.
It works though and that is the point!
David

 

[Erik van Straten]

I don`t see much point in cutting the leader in the dark. It gets exposed when you put film in the camera anyway. But there is no disadvantage if you master it

I ment the other end of the film, the end that is fixed in the cassette.

Erik.

 

[Bill58]

I used an ABLON clone made in Taiwan for awhile. I cut very precision leaders every time using the template w/ an Exacto knife-not scissors w/ zero problems. Just follow the edge of the template and you'll have no problems. Use it in a lighted environment and you won't have to count your fingers (to make sure you still have 10) after each time you use it.

 

[Luddite Frank]

I have an ABLON clone that came with a second-hand Watson 66 bulk loader.

I've tried it a couple of times ( on modern film right out of the box), but with scissors... which doesn't work so well....

The photos I've seen from the various Leica manuals and booklets show the user employing a small knife to trim the film, holding the film, cassette and ABLON in the left hand, and with the right hand, drawing the knife along the curved edge of the ABLON, blade perpendicular to the ABLON.
I'll bet Leica made a special little knife for this, but I would probably use the little 2-inch pen knife that I carry all the time

I put the ABLON away , continue to use the small curved cuticle scissors that I carry in my kit bag.

If I were loading FILCAs or other cassettes (in the dark), I think I would definitely use the ABLON.

Regards,

Luddite Frank



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[peter_n]

I cut very precision leaders every time using the template w/ an Exacto knife-not scissors w/ zero problems.

Same here - excellent method, no scissors required. Still have 10 fingers too! 🙂 I picked up my ABLON v. cheap on eBay as it was called an ALBON. 😉

 

[newsgrunt]

Have one, used it some but prefer cutting tails and leaders with plain jane scissors. Why I picked up got the Leica cutting blade I'll never know.

 

[wolves3012]

Use it in a lighted environment and you won't have to count your fingers (to make sure you still have 10) after each time you use it.

You have 10 fingers? Sorry...couldn't resist! Most people have 8 and 2 thumbs ;-)

 

[Ronald M]

If you can make the Taiwan clone work for the spool end, bless you. The take up end is just fine and the same ABLON.

 

[gb hill]

Got my Ablon with a Zorki 2c. Sure comes in handy, I use an x-acto knife & in a matter of seconds I'm ready to load. I saw someone selling these awhile back on ebay & couldn't believe what these we're going for. Like over $20 a piece. Wish I had a box full of em.

 

[summar]

I inherited an ABLON complete with a dedicated little knife (in a leather case!). The cutting edge is a tiny V-shaped notch. You hold the knife perpendicular to the film and the ABLON and just run the cutting notch down the curved edge. This gadget makes cutting leaders very fast and easy. I've never seen another one.

 

[Erik van Straten]

I inherited an ABLON complete with a dedicated little knife (in a leather case!). The cutting edge is a tiny V-shaped notch. You hold the knife perpendicular to the film and the ABLON and just run the cutting notch down the curved edge. This gadget makes cutting leaders very fast and easy. I've never seen another one.

The knife you mention is not ment for use with the ABLON, but for cutting the film in the camera when you do not want to develop the whole film at once.

Erik.

 

[summar]

Erik, I'm sure you're right, but it sure works well with the ABLON!

 

[batterytypehah!]

For what it's worth, I have the IIIf RD instructions booklet and it pictures an ordinary pen knife with the template.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Erik, I'm sure you're right, but it sure works well with the ABLON!

OK, I'll try it!

Erik.