Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/06/27
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]I just bought a new M6 and the seller asked me to call when it arrived and he would walk me through the film loading. Now I thought that seemed pretty silly, but called anyway. Boy was I supprised. Since all this happened this week I thought I'd write it down before I forgot it. This is going to sound very elementary but I'm trying to paraphrase as closely as possible. 0) empty the camera of the previous film if necessary 1) check that the rewind lever is in the take-up (not rewind) position 2) advance and release the shutter 3) with the camera bottom up, remove the camera base plate and allow the door to open 4) withdraw enough film from the cartridge to reach to the center of the three prong takeup spool 5) insert the cartridge in the camera and work the film through to the center of the takeup spool 6) with your left thumb work the film over the takeup sprocket (at this point due the the shape of the leader only the "bottom" sprocket will probably engage. 7) still holding the film in place, take up any excess with the rewind crank (very lightly) 8) now place the base plate on the camera (with the film-plane door still open) 9) advance the film until the other sprocket engages and gently work the film between the guide rails - caution here as the shutter is just behind the film 10) gently close the film-plate door until it lightly touches the baseplate. 11) raise the baseplate enough to capture the film-plate door 12) lock down the baseplate 13) advance the film and release the shutter (for two frames) - check that the rewind crank is turning with each film advance. 14) enjoy .... just so we didn't have to end with 13. All of this is just to ensure that the take up sprockets are engaged, the film is correctly positioned between the rails and everything is tensioned properly so the film doesn't flex and disengage the takeup when you close the doors. Watching the rewind lever move on the initial advance is just old hat. Anyway, FWIW.... Regards, Roger PS: I'm really looking forward to the new M6 Classic and 35mm Summicron ASPH. Now what to do with my M3. Jonas Andersson wrote: > > As a new M6-owner Iīm not used to the Leica-filmloading. According to the > instruction manual you just place the film leader into the take-up chamber > spool (in the middle of the three post assembly). This is also shown in the > diagram of the camera housing. > > But I donīt think it is that easy. The take-up chamber spool doesnīt pick up > the film leader like it should. I have to try several times before it works. > > Maybe I have to place the film leader through the three post assembly, but the > diagram of the camera housing doesnīt show that. > > I need help from you "old" Leica-user with this maybe trivial question. > > Jonas Andersson > Sweden > > PS. Do anyone have any experience with the new flash SF20 and M6 TTL. Maybe Iīm > buying one and I need some advice.