FILCA: the descent continues

[Wayne]

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So now I have graduated to the realm of "rolling my own." I have started with a 100" of FOMA 400 and a few of the cheap, plastic re-loadable cartriges. It has been fun. I have managed to screw a few thing up in my clumsiness; but it has been worth the trouble.

 

Now I am considering purchasing a couple/few FILCA canisters made by Leica. I know nothing about them and am wondering if they are constructed in such a manner that it is safe to buy via internet auction? Is their construction such that, given they have not been physically deformed or otherwise damaged, there are no components that just wear out and create light leaks? Can/will they last forever, if properly cared for?

 

Thanks the benefit of your experience.

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[TomB_tx]

Be aware the FILCA was made for the screw-mount (LTM) Leicas, and is a bit longer than a modern standard film cassette, so will not work in M mount Leicas. With the M3 they came out with the IXMOO - which is like the FILCA but standard length. The IXMOO can work in the LTM models also.

They last a long time, but can get deformed, and the locking spring on the side can get bent or broken. Sometimes you get one with the spring bent so it will not lock closed. Sometimes the end of the spring may be bent so it doesn't unlock the mechanism when in the camera.

There is a felt washer in the ends to seal and act as a bearing for the spool. If that is missing it can let in light if the cassette isn't "canned" after use.

At auctions you may see cassettes sold as "Leica" that are actually based on the Contax design, which will not work in Leica due to the latch design. This type was also used by Canon, Nikon, Leotax, etc. Of the Leica clones, the Nicca is the only I know that works with a FILCA.

Sometimes you find one with a non-Leica spool inside, which may not turn freely.

I have acquired several, and use them all the time.

If you bulk load using a Watson or similar daylight loader, it has a knob to close the light trap after loading - so be sure to close it before taking the cassette out. I've forgotten a few times, which fogs the first few shots, especially at the edges.

[Wayne]

Thanks for all the information, especially the bit on the ixmoo.

 

Best regards,

[willeica]

Nothing really to add to what TomB says, other than either the FILCA B ( the most common one available) or the FILCA A (less common) should suit your camera. Best of luck with your film adventures.

 

William

[M9reno]

As with all things Leica you will often find them at incredibly high prices on eBay: IXMOO cassettes, which are more versatile, naturally are worth somewhat more and sometimes FILCA's are mis-advertised as IXMOO's.  The easiest way to tell them apart is by the colour of their little opening knob at the top: black for FILCA, chrome (and somewhat larger) for IXMOO.