Re: [Leica] <Don't read this> Re: Getting film into the film gate in M6

["Joe Codispoti" <joecodi@thegrid.net>]

Many years ago while watching an interview of Gordon Parks on TV, I observed
Mr. Parks fumble ignominiously as he tried to load a Nikon F.

Based on that episode, I determine that I would develop a loading procedure
of my own that would be fool-proof, fast and fun.

I opened my own Nikon F and, after reminding myself of the interview and
what went wrong, I proceeded to attach the leader *first* while holding the
cassette in my hand.
Then, while holding the leader and take-up spool to avoid unwinding, I
pulled the cassette until the leader was long enough to drop the cassette
into its chamber.
I made sure that the sprockets were aligned with the corresponding holes in
the film, and closed the camera.
Gingerly I "rewound" the film until I felt a slight tugging. Then I
advanced/cocked twice watching the wind knob turn.

The procedure seemed fast and I have used that system ever since. I realize
38 exposures without fear of ruining the first frame.
The odd thing is that some time after my "discovery" I saw others do the
same thing and after thinking that I had been copied I realized that others
had discovered the same easy way to assure fast and secure loading of the
camera.

All these years I have wondered  when the first individual started loading
the leader *before* dropping the cassette into  its chamber.

Joe Codispoti



From: "Jim Brick" <jim_brick@agilent.com>

<<snip>>
> Just stuff the film in, whatever leader the manufacturer (or your own
> loads) provides, stick between the forks, push the film up somewhat
> (nothing exact here), put the bottom on (the BASKET pushes the film up
into
> the film gate!), wind on a few frames (WATCHING THE REWIND KNOB). If the
> knob turns, you have film. If not, you jinxed yourself by your worrying
and
> fretting. Go take a cold shower and start over.
>
> Film gate worriers, there are basically no mis-loads with the basket.
> Unless you don't stick the leader between the take-up forks. But if you
> don't do that... well... there's no hope. Sell.
>
> And opening the camera without rewinding the film...  Survey Says...
> errrrrrr! Sell everything. You shouldn't be driving either. You might just
> randomly fling open the door and take out some poor pedestrian.
>
> Jim
>