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Loading film in M3


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Hi, just seen a few videos and I have a question on the film loading. Basically one loads the film and then fires off a few shots. How many shots do u fire off? Until the counter reaches 1? I've seen some people so that whilst others seem to fire a random number of shots.

 

Also, is there a need to use the knob on the left? Some seem to use this to eliminate any slack in the film..

 

Appreciate any replies. Thanks

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I tend to just tighten the film so that I'm sure the film is on the sprockets, then close the camera up and do two shots. I often get 38 shots on a roll.

I much prefer the m2 and m3 film loading procedure over the rapid MP type.

Pete

 

2 shots for me as well.

 

And yes, the M3 loading system is brilliant. It may be a bit slower but if done properly there's never an issue.

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I tend to just tighten the film so that I'm sure the film is on the sprockets, then close the camera up and do two shots. I often get 38 shots on a roll.

I much prefer the m2 and m3 film loading procedure over the rapid MP type.

Pete

 

I am a old klutz, the MP challenge took me 5 rolls to master. Michael's lovely new M2 is far beyond my capabilities. An ABALON would send me to the ER.

 

You have my admiration.

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Berth, the ABLON helps in shaping the long leader that screw mount Leicas need, which the M Leicas don't need. Over three decades I had two M3s and two M2s (only one at any time). I had trouble loading them only when -- despite the hinged back -- I failed to check if the film was lying flat over the gate. When I got my present M6, whose loading system is not so "positive", I could not immediately convince myself that loading it would even work. I soon found that it works perfectly -- unless the film is not lying flat over the gate.

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And it seems sensitive to how much film you feed across into the take up prongs, too much is as bad as too little. After 10 years with my M6ttl I still get occasional mis loads, but tightening the film with the rewind means at least you know about it before you reach frame 42...

 

Gerry

 

 

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

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I'm cheap so two shots only but I often get shots likes this. HAHAHAHAHA :D

 

Oh... and the M3/M2 film loading is the most German thing ever IMO... (the best and most secure)

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1 shot should do it IMHO. At least if you load the film efficiently. You can even use the first exposure if you are lucky. Even if it fails miserably you will learnt something:D

 

Mistakes are not a bad thing, in fact to the contrary. In science we call these things experiments.

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