Other brand film cassette compatibility

[iphoenix]

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I have both Leotax and Zeiss Ikon (540/01) film cassettes, of which I would like to use one in my IIIf. To stop me from doing my usual "trial and error" (mostly error ) thing; I seek the advice of the experts on whether or not one of these is compatible. Can anyone help?

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[doubice]

Take the baseplate off the IIIf, sit the cassete on top of the its opening/closing mechanism and try to simulate what happens when the cassette is in the camera. While pressing the cassette down against the baseplate lock see whether the trap opens and closes when you open and close the lock.

 

Good luck,

 

Jan

[giordano]

The Contax (and Nikon) cassettes don't fit Leicas.

 

Since the Leotax was a Leica clone there's a good chance they cloned the cassette too. If it passes Jan's test and slips easily into and out of the chamber, give it a try and please let us know the outcome.

[iphoenix]

Well, I tried every which-way and a few others too. The Zeiss cassette of course, won't fit inside the camera's film chamber. The Leotax cassette will, and all looks good, except the camera's base plate won't close; standing proud around 1.5mm at the cassette end. I notice that the Zeiss cassette's pins are both spring loaded, however only one of the Leotax's is (the one that releases the housing so it can open). The other is fixed and is the one causing the problem. Anyway, unless someone has any other suggestions, it seems my question has been answered and I thank you. Rgds, David

[giordano]

There's one thing it might be worth checking. You haven't mentioned using a Leitz cassette in the camera so I guess you don't have one to try, but it seems that the Leitz cassettes are a fraction taller than standard modern cassettes, so the same is most likely true of the Leotax ones.

 

With some "Barnack" Leicas, the difference in height means that films in modern cassettes sit a bit too low in the film gate so the upper row of perforations intrude into the image area. Some cameras have had spacers fitted to the locking disc on the baseplate to hold the cassette a bit higher to overcome this. If this is the case with yours, removing the spacer could be the answer. (IIIf and later baseplates should have a "leg" or "fin" sticking up near the cassette chamber: this pushes the film into the correct position even if there's no spacer on the locking disc.) This thread has more detail: http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-collectors-historica/78732-sprocket-holes-clipping-frame.html

[iphoenix]

Thanks John, Seems as though I read that thread in July last year - must have been for a II I was having trouble with. Anyway, there is no sign of a spacer having been fitted (there is also no fin, so presumably it is an earlier baseplate. I guess that would be understandable, as the camera was originally a IIIC, converted to IIIF by, I'm pretty sure, Leitz Canada). Looks as though I'll have to continue using standard cassettes - not that that is an effort. Thanks again for your help. David

[buranca]

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I recently went through something similar myself and received some great advice over at the RFF forum.

 

Though not the film cassette, the spool spring on my '32 II had sprung and it was suggested to try a Canon RF spool. To my delight, it not only fit/functioned perfectly but also added the very welcome retractable knob -easing insertion/extraction.

 

Perhaps their cassette would work just as well?

[iphoenix]

Thanks Jeff, I tried asking the question on RFF, but because I use Explorer, their system wouldn't accept my post. Anyway, I only wanted to know because I thought it would be nice to use one of the cassettes I already had. Certainly, if I come across a Canon one in the future, I will give it a try. Rgds., David