Why no film window on Leica M bodies?

[Tuolumne]

One of the things that drives me bonkers with my M bodies is the lack of a film window on the back that lets you know what kind of film is loaded in the camera. While most Leica models were produced before that innovation was incorporated into SLRs, the M6, M7 and MP were produced after that.

What was the idea with Leica's thinking on that? Real photographers don't need to be reminded of what kind of film they've loaded?

/T

 

[Sparrow]

There is that reminder wotsit, it’s on the door; a round red and black thing, you can’t miss it

 

[Tuolumne]

If you only have one M body, it's probably not a problem to remember. But if you have several, all loaded with something different, it becomes a real nightmare.

/T

 

[Tuolumne]

There is that reminder wotsit, it’s on the door; a round red and black thing, you can’t miss it

What's this?

/T

 

[Tuolumne]

Well, if no film window, why not a reminder holder that takes the end tab of the film box? Alot of my film SLRs and MF film cameras have that. Instead you need to work out some kludge.

/T

 

[Tuolumne]

What is blue painter's tape? Never heard of it.

/T

 

[mwooten]

Well, if no film window, why not a reminder holder that takes the end tab of the film box? Alot of my film SLRs and MF film cameras have that. Instead you need to work out some kludge.

/T

You can also cut down the box end and slip it into the hotshoe.

--michael

 

[Sparrow]

The disc with the pointer one can set to the film type and speed, in middle of the door

 

[furcafe]

http://www.leicagoodies.com/slide.html

Well, if no film window, why not a reminder holder that takes the end tab of the film box? Alot of my film SLRs and MF film cameras have that. Instead you need to work out some kludge.

/T

 

[Tuolumne]

The disc with the pointer one can set to the film type and speed, in middle of the door

Ok, now I understand. Well, that only tells you the speed of the film. And what was the idea of the plastic ones with no rotating dial, like on the M4-P? were tyou suppsed to write on them or something?

/T

 

[kully]

yes you were

 

[Sparrow]

Ok, now I understand. Well, that only tells you the speed of the film. And what was the idea of the plastic ones with no rotating dial, like on the M4-P? were tyou suppsed to write on them or something?

/T

Dono I never got that modern, it tell you the type as well as the speed

 

[Beemermark]

I have lot's of cameras and the painter / masking tape is the best idea, I've used it for years. If you don't know painter's tape is like gaffer tape, it goes on easy and comes off without a residue. Stick it on the bottom of any camera and write the film type, speed, date or any other info you want. Mark it up for special processing (like zone system notes). That said one of the things I like about my M7's is when you turn it on it shows you the film speed for a few seconds. Usually I can deduce the film type from the speed.

 

[Tuolumne]

Dono I never got that modern, it tell you the type as well as the speed

Doesn't it just tell you if it is "daylight" or "night"? What was that supposed to mean?

/T

 

[Tuolumne]

I have lot's of cameras and the painter / masking tape is the best idea, I've used it for years. If you don't know painter's tape is like gaffer tape, it goes on easy and comes off without a residue. Stick it on the bottom of any camera and write the film type, speed, date or any other info you want. Mark it up for special processing (like zone system notes). That said one of the things I like about my M7's is when you turn it on it shows you the film speed for a few seconds. Usually I can deduce the film type from the speed.

I think I will go to the hardware store and buy some of this. Sounds even better than a film minder.

/T

 

[Sparrow]

Doesn't it just tell you if it is "daylight" or "night"? What was that supposed to mean?

/T

Black/White, daylight-colour and tungsten-colour balanced, I never set them I never leave a part film in anyway; but I imagine they would be useful if one did

 

[Tuolumne]

Black/White, daylight-colour and tungsten-colour balanced, I never set them I never leave a part film in anyway; but I imagine they would be useful if one did

Do you always shoot a full roll? Or do you remove it, even if it is only partly shot when you are done for the day?

/T

 

[Al Kaplan]

I use a fine point Sharpie and put a piece of masking tape on the top of the camera where it's easy to see. If I switch films I'll cross out "Tri-X" and write "Gold 200" or whatever. Actually I use a piece of tape 2 inces too long sometimes and run it up and over an accessory view finder. Tape is cheaper than replacing a lost finder.

When I rate a roll at another ISO that too gets marked, then I move the tape to the cassette when I reload. Beige masking tape with rough torn ends looks like hell on a black camera and it looks like crap on a chrome body. That's a GOOD thing. It reminds you that it's there. You can roll a foot or so of tape around the Sharpie so you don't have to carry the entire roll.

Those little windows on camera backs are of relatively recent origin. First the camera makers had to get ALL the film companies to put them on the cassettes, and in the same place too. If you reload your own film using Leica cassettes, or new snap-cap cassettes, the film widow won't tell you a thing.

 

[Sparrow]

Do you always shoot a full roll? Or do you remove it, even if it is only partly shot when you are done for the day?

/T

Full rolls in pairs usually, most of my tanks are doubles so I keep that pair together in case I need to adjust the developing, in practice almost never. I waste the first four frames so I end up with 36 or less on each film, I hate those odd orphaned 37th frames

 

[Al Kaplan]

Count the frames before cutting! Cut the film into strips of 5 or 6 instead of all 6 and a 1.
If there are a few really bad exposures on a roll try to make one of them your sacrificial 37th frame.