Take-up Spool in ‘55 M3

[AceVentura1986]

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So, I’ve sent my newly acquired M3 to DAG for a CLA. Should I have the take-up spool changed, if possible? To do so would make this non-original, but then again, I bought it as a shooter not a shelf-queen. Thoughts? 

[Michael Geschlecht]

Hello Ace,

What were you thinking of having it changed to?

A quick load just needs to change the Standard Spool for the Quick Load Spool & attach the Positioning Device with a flat head screw driver.

A Tulip requires more work on the part of someone else.

Best Regards,

Michael

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[AceVentura1986]

2 hours ago, Michael Geschlecht said:

Hello Ace,

What were you thinking of having it changed to?

A quick load just needs to change the Standard Spool for the Quick Load Spool & attach the Positioning Device with a flat head screw driver.

A Tulip requires more work on the part of someone else.

Best Regards,

Michael

Actually, I just got the quote to change it and decided to pass. It’s almost as much as the CLA alone and would nearly double my cost. 

[Michael Geschlecht]

Hello Ace,

Did you ever think of just getting a "Quick Load" & the Alignment Piece? The Alignment Piece is not necessary, altho it is nice to have, since a person can simply put the film into the "Snail" until the sprocket holes in the film match the teeth in the sprocket wheel.

Not quite as fast as a "Tulip" but not that far behind.

Best Regards,

Michael

Edited May 14, 2021 by Michael Geschlecht

[DaveNC]

I enjoy loading a new roll into my M3.  I'm super happy when I see the rewind knob move!

[andrew01]

9 hours ago, DaveNC said:

I enjoy loading a new roll into my M3.  I'm super happy when I see the rewind knob move!

Me too, its part if the vintage M3 experience:)  

[plaidshirts]

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16 hours ago, Michael Geschlecht said:

Hello Ace,

Did you ever think of just getting a "Quick Load" & the Alignment Piece? The Alignment Piece is not necessary, altho it is nice to have, since a person can simply put the film into the "Snail" until the sprocket holes in the film match the teeth in the sprocket wheel.

Not quite as fast as a "Tulip" but not that far behind.

Best Regards,

Michael

Unfortunately,  quick load kits cost as much as a CLA these days. 

[oldwino]

Embrace the “slow”, “fiddly”, “archaic” loading of your M3. It’s part of the experience. 
Also, it’s not really that slow or fiddly once you load it a few times, and it is very secure. 

[Michael Geschlecht]

9 hours ago, plaidshirts said:

Unfortunately,  quick load kits cost as much as a CLA these days. 

Hello Plaidshirts,

That is unfortunate. When they were new in the 1970's they didn't cost that much more than a replacement spool.

Best Regards,

Michael

[madNbad]

Buy an extra take up spool. Way faster to load than the Quick load kits and more reliable.

[Michael Geschlecht]

26 minutes ago, madNbad said:

Buy an extra take up spool. Way faster to load than the Quick load kits and more reliable.

Hello MadNbad,

Not necessarily.

Both work equally well. They are just different. A second roll of film already loaded on a Separate Original Spool takes time to do. And you have to remember to keep it somewhere clean until you need it.

With a Quick Load: If you remember to align the snail correctly, wrap the film to 02:00 & then push the film in until the sprocket holes on the film align with the sprockets on the wheel (Faster & easier to do than it is to write about.): Things should be pretty much the same.

Best Regards,

Michael

 

[madNbad]

12 minutes ago, Michael Geschlecht said:

Hello MadNbad,

Not necessarily.

Both work equally well. They are just different. A second roll of film already loaded on a Separate Original Spool takes time to do. And you have to remember to keep it somewhere clean until you need it.

With a Quick Load: If you remember to align the snail correctly, wrap the film to 02:00 & then push the film in until the sprocket holes on the film align with the sprockets on the wheel (Faster & easier to do than it is to write about.): Things should be pretty much the same.

Best Regards,

Michael

 

I had a Quick Load in a M2, no matter how careful  I was in loading the camera,  the film either slipped off or bunched up around the spool. Eventually, I gave it away. Some users love them and never have a problem. 

[Michael Geschlecht]

Hello MadNbad.

Did you: Align the snail with your right thumb so that the opening is between 09:00 & 12:00?

Wrap the film around the snail to 02:00?

Push the film in until the sprocket holes in the film are over the sprockets on the wheel?

Snug the film?

Then advance the film a small amount to make sure the film is advancing correctly?

Then put on the baseplate & advance the film while watching the rewind turn?

Release the shutter & advance a second time watching the rewind turn?

Release the shutter a second time?

Done.

Best Regards,

Michael

 

 

Edited May 15, 2021 by Michael Geschlecht

[madNbad]

11 minutes ago, Michael Geschlecht said:

Hello MadNbad.

Did you: Align the snail with your right thumb so that the opening is between 09:00 & 12:00?

Wrap the film around the snail to 02:00?

Push the film in until the sprocket holes in the film are over the sprockets on the wheel?

Snug the film?

Then advance the film a small amount to make sure the film is advancing correctly?

Then put on the baseplate & advance the film while watching the rewind turn?

Release the shutter & advance a second time watching the rewind turn?

Release the shutter a second time?

Done.

Best Regards,

Michael

 

 

Followed all of the steps, watched a couple of videos, even had a few successful loads but overall found it to be finicky and frustrating. Sold the M2 bought a a M4 and the loading is easy.

[oldwino]

On 5/15/2021 at 11:27 AM, Michael Geschlecht said:

Hello MadNbad.

Did you: Align the snail with your right thumb so that the opening is between 09:00 & 12:00?

Wrap the film around the snail to 02:00?

Push the film in until the sprocket holes in the film are over the sprockets on the wheel?

Snug the film?

Then advance the film a small amount to make sure the film is advancing correctly?

Then put on the baseplate & advance the film while watching the rewind turn?

Release the shutter & advance a second time watching the rewind turn?

Release the shutter a second time?

Done.

Best Regards,

Michael

 

 

That doesn’t sound very “quick”. 

[Michael Geschlecht]

Hello Oldwino,

Actually, not much more than a "Blink of the Eye" when you actually do it. A lot of the World is like this: Seems like a big deal until you do it. After that it is simple.

Best Regards,

Michael

[tommonego@gmail.com]

I had a quick load spool on my 1957 M3 when I got it. Couldn't wait to get it off, bought a standard spool on the bay and have never looked back. I am so used to the old spool, it was muscle memory. I didn't have anyone to explain the quick load that had it work dependably.