leitz elmar F=50 3,5

[isabelle]

Good afternoon,
I want to use my grand dad's leica, probably from the 30's.
Everything seems to work but I don t know how to load the film, I think I have to take the roller thing out but can't!
Thank you for your help
Isabelle

[earleygallery]

This link might help YouTube - How to load a Screwmount Leica

You need to trim the leader so that the thin section is long enough to clear the shutter gate as you load the film (you can see what I mean if you look a the video above, as he loads the film into the camera). Just do it with a pair of scissors, and make sure you cut between the sprocket holes not through them.

There are other threads and links on this forum if you look through the search facility, and somewhere a link to an instruction manual for the LTM cameras (Leica Thread Mount).

Remember you need to extend the Elmar lens, ie pull it out from the camera body and twist to lock it in place (in case you don't already know that).

Good luck - ask any questions.

[isabelle]

wow thank you very much.....i m gonna try all this.the video is no longer available on youtube!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
many thanks, I will probably ask more questions!!!!!!!
Kind regards
Isabelle

[luigi bertolotti]

Welcome to the forum, Isabelle !!! There are always too few women, here... Give a look at

Free camera instruction manuals, free camera user guide, camera manual, camera instruction manuals,* Ricoh camera manuals, Sears Camera Manuals, camera instruction manual, replacement camera manual, ricoh point and shoot, cosina camera manual, fujica

Probably you'll find what you need; here we are always interested to old Leicas... can you tell us which is the Serial Number of your Leica ? It's clearly engraved on the top. And, of course, if you have the capabilty to post some picture of it... they are always appreciated: attaching pictures to posts is easy, if you are just a little accustomed to digital photo editing... the most important rule is to stay on the max dimensions allowed: in general if you obtain a jpeg of about 800x600 all is OK.

... and don't worry about your first difficultiy... loading film on old Leicas is hard fro any newbie ... Important advice to avoid possible problems/damages: DO NOT change the exposure time setting (top knob) when the shutter is not cocked to fire (top right knob - cocks & advance film... seems normal to anybody, nowadays, but Leica was the FIRST camera to couple the two operations in a single action, one of the many reasons for its success in the '20s...)

[earleygallery]

Video works for me ?!

Anyway ask if you're unsure about anything else. The LTM's take a little getting used to but it all soon becomes second nature, honestly!

[doubice]

Hi Isabelle,

And welcome to the Leica world..... - you'll find a lot of help here.

Try this link - this is Tom Abrahamsson's site with quite a few videos on various Leica goodies.

YouTube - TnTandMrB's Channel

'TnT' stands for Tom and Tuulikki, 'Mr. B' is Tom's cat - just for a little bit of trivia.

Tom's website is here:

RapidWinder.com Home

If all else fails, just type 'Tom Abrahamsson' into the Google search bar. The original link works for me too and it is Tom himself doing the demonstration.

Best,

Jan

[isabelle]

Well thank you very much, this Forum is wonderfull.
I print the instructions and get into it!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Many thanks
ISabelle

[isabelle]

Hi Luigi,
I can hardly read the number but it seems to be
N26 S ( or an 8, or a B, or a 3 !!!!!!!!!!) 200
Kind regards
ISabelle

[isabelle]

Good morning,
Thank you very much for the links you sent me. The thing is that I m based in Dubai and lots of sites are blocked so I couldn t watch any of them.
My main problem is to take out the winding spool, the one I should put the film in, I don t know how to take this spool out, there must be a specific thing to do.
Thanks again for your help
Isabelle

[luigi bertolotti]

Originally Posted by isabelle

Hi Luigi,
I can hardly read the number but it seems to be
N26 S ( or an 8, or a B, or a 3 !!!!!!!!!!) 200
Kind regards
ISabelle

Well... two possibilties:
- If it's 263.200 is a Leica IIIa - 1937
- If it's 268.200 is a Leica III - 1938 (in this case, the last of a batch)

Important difference : IIIa has a top shutter speed of 1/1000, III only 1/500: easy to verify on the times knob.

The film spool... usually you have only to catch it between your fingers and pull it out... if it's blocked... there is some problem. Are you stable in Dubai, or is only a temporary location ? Keep in mind that In Europe and USA there are several repair shops which can give a look and adjust these old fine cameras, at reasonable cost: if you like, we can give you some good name, depending on the country you prefer.

[isabelle]

HI Luigi
Thanks a lot for this info.
I live in Dubai so I will have to take the camera to Paris I guess.... so all good names welcome!
Many thanks
Isabelle

[flatfour]

Isabelle - I can well understand your query as it is not straight forward and the Youtube film is of little help. The best way is to get hold of the Leitz booklet - there are plenty still around - and take the camera apart slowly . If you have an on old exposed film still in it's cassette you can practice without risking wasting frames.

[David Hughes]

Hi,

This thread in another forum (sorry) shows how to cut the film leader. It about one click down the scroll bar of 35mm leader tab cutter - Photo.net B&W Photo - Film & Processing Forum

As for the spool, they can be difficult at times but a firm pull should do it. I'd worry about it because the cameras can be covered with rust inside and there can be small bits of film stuck inside. A good clean, adjustment and lubrication might be in order before trying the film through it.

The lens may also need cleaning by a specialist. Once ready these are very pleasant cameras to use and you will find people will talk to you because of it (and sometimes offer you bits and pieces for it).

Regards, David