[Leica] broken film in sl-2

[Summicron1@aol.com]

In a message dated 11/21/99 8:03:58 AM, you wrote:

>The SL2 and SL have a peculiar loading system (they are
>Leicas after all) and the take-up spool seems to have a very firm hold
>on the end of the film, as evidenced by the great amount of force
>required to free the film from the spool when winding it back into the
>casette. Any tips on how to deal with this or prevent the film from
>being torn in the camera would be appreciated.


try not to lose a lot of sleep over it. Older film can get brittle and break, 
but more likely someone -- you? -- was unloading the camera in the cold and 
the end broke off because cold can make film very brittle.

How to avoid tiny bits of film getting into the mechanism? Use fresh film, 
unload slowly in cold weather, check the film compartment after each roll for 
dust, dead moles and other refuse and brush it out if need be (holding the 
camera upside down as you do so so you don't just brush it into the camera's 
insides) and get used to the idea that you'll have to send the camera in for 
servicing some day.  Shit happens. An SL2 is probably due it if hasn't been 
done in the last 10 years anyway.

charlie trentelman

ogden, utah