MP frame spacing showing some variability

[gabrielaszalos]

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Here's my latest new MP, I found this on two rolls, around frames 25-27. I might have changed lenses between a 50mm and a 35mm, but not on both, and I don't think that's a valid excuse for this.

 

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Edited April 12, 2021 by gabrielaszalos

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[a.noctilux]

Strange indeed.

How was the spacing in film Leica included after services ?

[gabrielaszalos]

19 minutes ago, a.noctilux said:

Strange indeed.

How was the spacing in film Leica included after services ?

It seemed fine, but the included film is only 25 frame long. This happened to me on position 25 and 27 on both films. I have let Leica know. Let’s see what they say... Maybe I will be Leicaless again for a few weeks, months  

[wattsy]

I don't think it is unusual for Leica M cameras nor is it a problem if the frames don't actually overlap. I remember looking at my negs a few years ago when this issue first surfaced and noticed some variation in the frame spacing but assumed it was fairly normal behaviour. The M wind mechanism has to have some kind of slip clutch in it to account for the increasing effective circumference of the take-up spool as it accumulates more film and this slippage may vary depending upon resistance and/or the looseness of the spooling film. 

[wattsy]

46 minutes ago, gabrielaszalos said:

I have let Leica know. Let’s see what they say... Maybe I will be Leicaless again for a few weeks, months  

The other point I was going to make is that the MP has a 2 year warranty. If your camera does require some service attention, there is plenty of time to get it done. Provided your frames aren't overlapping, it might be better to wait for a more convenient time to send it in. 

[TomB_tx]

While the takeup has a slip clutch, it's the sprocket that regulates the film movement, so spacing should only vary by the amount of play of the film sprocket holes on the teeth. For such a great change either the film would have to rise and skip on the sprocket, or the drive on the sprocket would have to disengage, as if the rewind lever were activated. 

[plaidshirts]

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On 5/14/2020 at 12:20 AM, 250swb said:

.., but maybe it would be useful to make it for all 35mm film cameras, not just Leica, because they will all have uneven frame spacing from time to time.

I haven't looked closely enough at my negs to notice this (perhaps not egregious enough to stand out?) on those from my M's but I have definitely noticed it coming out of my Canon F-1N.

Funny thing is, it only happens once a roll, between frames 6 and 7. Weird, right? After that it goes back to uniform spacing. It must be the way the film wraps around the spool at that particular point.

Edited April 12, 2021 by plaidshirts

[jakontil]

I m oke as long as the frame spacing doesnt waste one whole frame in total within a roll or they dont overlap ...i think i’d live with it

[paddycook]

I get this on both my M-A and MP

[Danner]

Looking over many sheets of cut negatives (5-frame strips) taken with two M6 classics, and an M6 ttl, the frame spacing is dead-on consistent, sheet after sheet of negatives.