Re: [Leica] Loading an M6

["Bruce Feldman" <brucef@waw.pdi.net>]

I would just add one insight to Film Loading Science 101:  When the bottom
plate is back on and you're ready to advance the film, pull the lever
s-l-o-w-l-y for the first wind.  If you wind too fast the film can slip out
from between the prongs, but a slow first wind virtually ensures that the
prongs will
catch the film correctly

> 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
>