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loading film probs


davidecossu

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I am still struggling with film loading from time to time after 6 months of use, so I hope the veteran users chime in. Sometimes it takes me more than two windings to get the rewind crank going, wasting the first two or three frames. I keep my eye on the rewind crank the first few winds to make sure the film is advancing (I have become paranoid about this!).

 

In any event, I follow the instructions in this link: Leica FAQ - How do I load my new M with film?

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Before you put the bottom back on make sure that the sprockets on the advance spool have engaged the holes in the film. After you've put the bottom back on gently take up the slack on the rewind crank. As said above make sure the rewind knob is turning when you advance the film.

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Sprockets well engaged are the fundamental: then, close the body, put in a little tension the rewind knob and advance the film: the knob must rotate. I had the problem many times with my M4, I closed & reopened 2 or 3 times, but never lost pics following the rule: REWIND KNOB MUST ROTATE.

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Yeah,,! I know how you feel, it's simply primitive.

After a few months of not using my M7 I brushed the cobwebs off it.

I will give my R7 a rest, and use the M.

I loaded the film, what not winding ON,......F#%&*^#@ all this money I paid for this thing,

Tried again, and it caught on, made sure the winder was turning though.

 

No wonder the M lovers love the M8, THEY DONT HAVE TO PUT UP WITH THIS CRAP.

The film is nearly finished, and looking forward to loading the Leica R once again.

Never had any problems with film loading with the Leica R's.

 

So why do I keep it, (M7) because perhaps it gives me some lovely shots, or is it

Because I am just a sentimentalist at heart, my friends have a different opinion though! They think I'am a knucklehead for owing an M.

Perhaps they're right.

 

Cheers.

 

ps.... I know now what Leica M stands for,... it's MONEY, because everything we

buy for this system is to much........$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$..............

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I've only ever had one mis-load on the lllf, when I failed to engage the take up spool correctly. I was in a hurry and didn't notice the rewind knob failing to turn.

 

Really, it isn't rocket science, just load the film, take up the slack on the rewind knob, wind on with the base off to make sure the sprokets engage then you're away.

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Provided you know what to do it's very simple and works every time.

 

I know what to do, as I am into engineering, IMHO the M loading system is a poor concept.

Next time you ENTER your car, do it from the boot or trunk TO GET TO THE DRIVERS SEAT.

Also REMOVING THE FILM is'nt that easy either.

 

And one more, I noticed on the M8, you still need to remove the base plate to install the battery as well as the SD card.

 

Perhaps I am used to American Engineering Practice.

 

Cheers.

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Yeah, thats why every major camera manufacture uses the concept of removing

the base plate, flip the back plate over insert Film cannister, aline with sprockets wind on hoping it's caught, place the base plate back on, and WOW! ...

We can start to take some photos now.

 

Oh yeah I will have to go through this CRAP once again after 36 shots,But first

I need to get the Film cannister OUT, but on the M7 it's not that easy.

 

Even Leica dropped it on the R series, if this Film loading method is that good why did'nt they keep it.

 

Remember any idiot can make it difficult, but it takes a genius to design it simply.

 

So M lovers don't get me wrong, I love my M7, I just don't like the Leica..M... Film loading system, or perhaps I am so dumb I cannot work it out.

 

Cheers.

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I have not had any problems loading my M6. One needs to pull the film leader out far

enough that it will thread in the take-up positively and the film sprocket holes are engaged

on the sprockets. I Believe the bottom plate will guide the film in place, then as you wind

the film, be sure the rewind knob is turning. Incidently, If the camera has been loaded for the first exposure and you are traveling by auto or airplane, be sure the film has'nt vibrated off the take-up spool by again checking the rewind knob to see if it is turning. I lost 36 exposues at the Grand Canyon because of that many years ago.

Paul

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I have never ever had a slightest problem with loading the film into my MP. It loads fast and safe. But, the rewind knob never rotates first two or three shots. Few times I opened the camera in thought the film is not advancing, but I only lost couple of frames, because film was sitting on its place properly.

 

This is the key point. "Gently rotate the LHS rewind crank until you feel tension."

Also, this never happens - I never feel the tension on rewind knob when I rotate it to check if the film is loaded properly. Maybe I'm doing it too hard? Anyway, never had any practical problems with this. So it doesn't matter.

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I have never ever had a slightest problem with loading the film into my MP. It loads fast and safe. But, the rewind knob never rotates first two or three shots. Few times I opened the camera in thought the film is not advancing, but I only lost couple of frames, because film was sitting on its place properly.

 

 

Also, this never happens - I never feel the tension on rewind knob when I rotate it to check if the film is loaded properly. Maybe I'm doing it too hard? Anyway, never had any practical problems with this. So it doesn't matter.

 

I have the same exact experience with my MP.

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This info from the M5 manual might help if you are having a problem:

"After the second blank exposure it is good practice to unfold the rewind crank and gently turn it in the arrow direction until resistance is felt. Then fold down again and click off a third blank frame, observing that the crank rotates. The counter will now stand at “1”, and the LEICA M5 is ready for action."

 

Photoskeptic said:

One of the reasons I prefer the M3 loading system over the later system. Much more positive.
I agree, the M3 never misses.
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