Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1997/10/10
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In a message dated 97-10-10 11:03:55 EDT, you write:
> The Quick-Load Kit was a Leica product, 14260, introduced in 1968 and still
> in the '75 General Catalogue. It dropped out around 1980.
>
> These are common and, while some dealers try to sell them for an arm and a
> leg, you can often find them quite reasonably -- I recall I paid $5 for
> mine from KEH.
>
> The downside is that they are not nearly as effective as the M3/M2 system
> and have been sarcastically called the 'Never-Load' kits. The M3/M2
> system, while cumbersome, is sure and certain; the never-load kit is
> unreliable.
Pretty much the reason I'm having mine replaced with the
M6 spool, although I know some people who curse that also. The way I always
used the aftermarket quick-load was to watch the leader wind on one turn
before replacing the baseplate. It never slipped out on me that way. With
my M6's I just close it up and watch the rewind crank and so far it always
seems to "grab". I agree that the original M3/M2 system is very reliable,
but it's also slow and if you don't have pockets or can't sit down or it's
cold out, that system is a royal pain in the behind.
Doc
Doc