[Leica] Loading an M6 - Sandy

[Jim Brick <jimbrick@photoaccess.com>]

Sandy,

Put the basket on your winder. And you don't need to zig-zag crimp your film.

I've loaded my M6 in near complete darkness (Tower of London, Crown Jewels
area). Simply put the cartridge in the left side. Pull the film across so
the leader goes through the forks of the take-up spool and the film end
touches the side of the camera. With the back open, use your thumb to make
sure the film is not caught on the winding sprocket/film gate, ie; the film
is reasonably straight across the camera back. Close the back and mount the
winder. the basket will push the film up to where it is supposed to be. Use
the thumb wind to wind on several frames, watching the rewind knob (feeling
it if it is dark) making sure it turns for each frame.

Doing this, I have "never" had a mis-load of my M6.

Some film has a reverse curl that keeps it from sliding over the advance
sprocket/film gate. Using your thumbs to buckle the film, it will pop over
the sprocket. The basket will then push it to where it is supposed to be.

With a little practice, it becomes a no-brainer. The mechanisms seem to
work as delivered. The only single thing I've found important is to make
sure the film is not hung-up on the sprocket/film gate. If the cartridge is
seated, and the film is reasonably straight across (not at a crazy angle)
then the basket will do its job. If the film is hung-up, then the base
(winder) is difficult to lock in place because the basket cannot push the
film up to where it is supposed to be. So it is telling you something is wrong.

The basket is a necessary part of the formula. Yes you can do it without.
But why? It insures that the film is in place, or it tells you that the
film is not in place. It has a function. Use it.

Jim


At 12:06 AM 2/27/99 +0000, you wrote:
>I know, I know, I'm a confirmed futzer...but I'm working on it!!!!!!!
Maybe we 
>need a 12 Step program for obsessive film loaders... :-) I have the Tom A 
>Rapidwinder and I haven't transferred the "basket" that would press down on 
>the 
>takeup spool. I haven't had a problem without it but I still feel as if I'm 
>being "too careful" when I load the film. The crimp always appears about two 
>inches from the end of the leader right at the point where the film emerges 
>from the metal canister. In other words, when I pull out the film to
thread it 
>into the "tulip" it isn't quite flat, and this slightly irregular spot is the 
>place where the film hangs up instead of seating itself another 1/8" down to 
>the guide. I have to jiggle the film a bit to get it completely 
>seated.(Hopefully this explanation is making sense...) I'm going to try 
>practicing the quick load technique, while repeating the "This is EASY!" 
>refrain.
>
>Sandy (who's not ready to try loading with gloves on...yet) 
>