Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/03/09
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Gary You'll certainly not have the cassette compatible baseplate, they gave it up many years ago sadly. As suggested an M4-2 / M4-P baseplate could be happily substituted. The 'ring with a gap in it' sits aginst the bottom of the Leica cassette and the gap locates with a protruding pin which is turned to open the cassette 'doors' when the camera baseplate is locked. If all the scratches are in the same position, e.g. in the sky, 1/4" from the top edge then it makes looking for the problem easier (as it could besomething specific in the camera, though unlikely), if they are 'all over the place' then it would point more to a dust/grit scenario. If the camera is that new, it could well be within warranty such that a check-up could cost you nothing. It does sound rather baffling, you're obviously not a 'rookie' that might be making elementary mistakes, I'd consider having it looked over by an expert, obviously enclose some damaged film. the one thing that comes to my un-mechanically trained mind is the relationship between the take up spool and the cogs advancing the film, if the take up spool doesn't advance the film far enough then it will be winding the film too tightly against itself compared to the transport of the film by the cogs, maybe this could be a problem? Jem > -----Original Message----- > From: COLBYG@ULV.EDU [SMTP:COLBYG@ULV.EDU] > > Hi, Jem, > > Thanks for the post... > > > > Maybe your M6 can use the Leica cassettes, mine can but the later ones > > > can't. If you're unsure then look at the baseplate locking spigot, on > the > > > inside of the camera (baseplate), if you see an ring with a gap in it > then > > > this is the means to unlock the cassette... > > I'm a little uncertain what you mean by "...ring with a gap in it." > The > locking device has a 1/2-inch gap in it, but that gap is clearly intended > to > engage the camera body to lock the baseplate in place. > My M6 is pretty new, I bought it from Don Chatterton last year, but > didn't use it alot until last summer, then didn't start scanning negatives > and > slides until this fall. That's why I didn't notice the scratches until > now. > > > I suspect though, that if the film was fresh then the problem may be > > elsewhere. You haven't told us about your drying technique (and this > subject > > was discussed extensively here recently) presumeably you don't squeegee > or > > wipe the film with your fingers after washing and before drying? > > I don't touch the film after it comes from the Photo-Flo, except to > gingerly hang it in the dryer. The drying cabinet is a big open box, like > a > coffin on end. There's nothing inside to touch the film. > > The dust-in-the-camera problem seems like the only thing left except > the camera. We live and work in the lousy air of the Pomona Valley, about > 30 > miles east of Los Angeles. I've always had problems with dust inside view > cameras, but never a problem with dust on pictures or scratching film in > 35mm > cameras until using the Leica. The dust problem with the Leica actually > first > appeared in July, 1998, in Runnemeade, New Jersey. It was hot and humid, > but > not dusty. > > -Gary > colbyg@ulv.edu