Admiration for ABLON

[TLG]

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The more I use it, the more I find this such a cunning tool.

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[jc_braconi]

I can find strange how you use it

[TLG]

How so?

[Viv]

Tools are not cunning.

[luigi bertolotti]

3 hours ago, jc_braconi said:

I can find strange how you use it

Indeed... 😉  (

)

[TLG]

I think for bulk loading film I'm using it correctly. 🙂

[TLG]

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3 hours ago, Viv said:

Tools are not cunning.

Yes they are if they're built cleverly.

It is an entirely appropriate description in the English language.

[Pyrogallol]

I made a film trimming template in the 1970's which I am still using.

I have a Photax copy of an ABLON. But when I went to use it I found that the hinge sticks out so it does not lay flat to use. Like most manufactured goods it is designed for right handed use.

Also the end for trimming the film to fit the cassette spool means you have to pull more film out than necessary from the cassette. And if you were to cut the end to fit in the FILCA spool you would waste a lot of film inside the hinged part. It was probably designed for use with orthochromatic film under a red safelight or in the dark.

Make your own like mine, left or righthanded.

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[pippy]

5 minutes ago, Pyrogallol said:

I made a film trimming template in the 1970's which I am still using.

I have a Photax copy of an ABLON. But when I went to use it I found that the hinge sticks out so it does not lay flat to use. Like most manufactured goods it is designed for right handed use.

Also the end for trimming the film to fit the cassette spool means you have to pull more film out than necessary from the cassette. And if you were to cut the end to fit in the FILCA spool you would waste a lot of film inside the hinged part. It was probably designed for use with orthochromatic film under a red safelight or in the dark.

Make your own like mine, left or righthanded.

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Oddly enough I've just spent the last 30 mins or so making a maquette of an ABLON from Daler Board. I took the approximate dimensions using the 1cm squares seen in the OP pic and worked-out the position of the studs for the edge-holes from the video clip (positioned at 4 holes in and 17 holes in to save anyone else the trouble!).

Even although it's only card - having just tried it out - it works surprisingly well.

One thing I don't quite understand, however, is the purpose of the slot 'cassette'-side of the 17th-hole stud. Originally my thoughts were to pass the film through but, of course, that wouldn't work as the leader wouldn't be sandwiched between the plates.

Any suggestions welcome!

Philip.

[Viv]

2 hours ago, TLG said:

Yes they are if they're built cleverly.

It is an entirely appropriate description in the English language.

No.

[Leicapasion]

3 hours ago, TLG said:

Creo que para cargar película en grandes cantidades lo estoy usando correctamente.  🙂

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[LocalHero1953]

I can also cut both ends easily by hand, and no template, just with scissors.

Twenty sprocket holes and no remaining sharp corners. Just remember to cut the correct side........

Edited April 3 by LocalHero1953

[TomB_tx]

1 hour ago, pippy said:

One thing I don't quite understand, however, is the purpose of the slot 'cassette'-side of the 17th-hole stud. Originally my thoughts were to pass the film through but, of course, that wouldn't work as the leader wouldn't be sandwiched between the plates.

It isn't on all ablon models, but when bulk loading allowed you to pass a short-end of the film through to cut the angled wedge to fir the FILCA spool without pulling out enough film to go the length of the ablon. I have ablons both with and without the slot.

[250swb]

As ever with Leica an understanding of how to do something that's really simple freehand with a pair of scissors is transformed into a performance. This is how it works, you are scared of your Leica because it's maybe a little bit exotic, so you buy all the kit to go with it but without thinking what does that kit really does. And all it does is tell you what common sense should say in the first place, you cut a vee and at one end cut a thin long leader at the other

[willeica]

4 hours ago, chuckroast said:

Though I also have a template, I find I can cut this sufficiently accurately with just a pair of scissors.

 

Me too. I have an ABLON, but never use it.  A pair of scissors does the job for me.

William 

[TomB_tx]

I think the ABLON was originally intended to use in a darkroom, where you could handle the film stock freely and do the trimming by feel- that's why it located securely on the sprocket holes, etc.

[pippy]

1 hour ago, TomB_tx said:

I think the ABLON was originally intended to use in a darkroom, where you could handle the film stock freely and do the trimming by feel- that's why it located securely on the sprocket holes, etc.

Also I believe that the ABLON was (by Leitz standards) very affordable(*) and whilst a pair of scissors can do the same job it must be said that using the correct tool would be simpler, faster and cut a more accurate profile (without the potential of annoying half-frame-hole snags) every time.

FWIW I bought my first 'Barnack' when I was 15 years old and have had a few in my possession at all times ever since. I've never owned an ABLON yet have managed to trim film-leaders for the past 50 years so it's hardly an Essential. Nonetheless, as someone who enjoys working with traditional hand tools, I still quite fancy - just for the sheer unadulterated fun of it - attempting to rework an "ordinary household door-hinge" into something which might do the same job. Seriously; just how hard might it prove to be?......😸......

* Prices on the used market of genuine ABLONs do seem to be quite ludicrous (IMO).

Philip.

Edited April 3 by pippy

[TomB_tx]

40 minutes ago, pippy said:

* Prices on the used market of genuine ABLONs do seem to be quite ludicrous (IMO).

Agreed but copies are reasonable

https://www.amazon.com/eTone-Leader-Trimming-Cutting-Template/dp/B0DH1MJ9MT?source=ps-sl-shoppingads-lpcontext&ref_=fplfs&psc=1&smid=A3QL2CREDERA3G&gQT=2

I've also downloaded and printed plastic copies on a 3-D printer.

Edited April 3 by TomB_tx

[willeica]

8 hours ago, pippy said:

 using the correct tool would be simpler, faster and cut a more accurate profile (without the potential of annoying half-frame-hole snags) every time.

Not for me, Philip. However, the time does not count really. It is just all the palaver and I don't ever use sharp knives for cutting things. I'd be more likely to cut myself than the film. If I can do it with a scissors why bother with my ABLON? For me, it is just an interesting historical artefact in my collection.

William 

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[espelt]

Somehow, fiddling with such things is fun. However, the price of one of these parts is a real drawback. You can buy a lot of film for 150 or 200 euros. That's why I used to cut it out with a cardboard template. And recently, I got one of these 3D-printed parts from a friend. In red. Instead of a red dot...

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