[Leica] Loading the IIIc

[pdzwig at summaventures.com (Peter Dzwig)]

David Cochran wrote:

> Hi PS?...
> 
> Thanks for the observation but the rewind lever was in the right position.
> 
> Now, I have a question for you. What is the lever on the left side of 
> the take up knob?
> I'm just lazy...I'll have to check the Leica IIIf manual.
> 
> Thanks again
> On Sep 11, 2005, at 9:24 PM, pswango@att.net wrote:
> 
>> Don and David wrote:
>>
>> David,
>> If the film is not winding as you describe then the film is not on the
>> sprockets properly.  This means that when you load again, make sure
>> the leader is properly trimmed, when you push the film down, the film
>> will not catch on the sprockets but will wind onto the sprockets.
>>
>> Don
>> don.dory@gmail.com
>>
To load the camera, trim - or don't as you prefer. follow the diagram on the 
bottom of the mechanism for how to position the film. Briefly this says that 
you 
should have the flat ends of both take-up spool and film cannister facing up 
as 
you look down into the camera body, the film should wind onto the side of 
the 
take-up spool furthest from you under the metal plate.

The rewind lever should be in posirion "R" BEFORE you re-insert the film and 
the 
rewind **knob** should be down. Try to do this evenly and don't force it; if 
you 
experience appreciable resistance you risk tearing the film. It should slip 
in 
easily. Tap both spools down into position and re-attach the base plate.

Now extend the rewind knob and wind it gently to the left until you feel 
resistance. If you don't feel resistance it isn't properly pushed under the 
plate on the take-up spool, so take off the plate carefully remove both 
spools 
and start again.

If you feel the tension then press the rewind knob back in and wind the film 
on 
using the film advance knob on the right and set the counter. When you wind 
the 
film the rewind knob will rotate (watch the arrow) if it doesn't then 
(sometimes 
slips!!) things aren't right. Start again. Again. Don't trust the shutter 
speed 
dial; that is coupled to the film wind.

It will work...it takes a bit of practice and isn't as fast as loading DX 
film 
with a motor, but you can get it down to a reasonable art and you won't find 
it 
too tedious. It's just fiddly, but there is plenty of room for things to go 
wrong.

Be patient the camera will definitely reward you if you persist. Good Luck.

Peter Dzwig