Re: [Leica] Film Winding Again, (was BASic question)

[Ted Grant <tedgrant@home.com>]

 Mike Durling wrote::
> 
> > I've been trying to figure out why it doesn't come loose when the bottom is
> > on but will when the bottom is off.  It almost seems like the theory that
> > the alligator won't bother you if you don't keep staring at it!">>>>>>>

Hi Mike,

I've passed on the loading thread simply because it's a total no brainer
to load an M6 and I'm surprised this topic has lasted so long.  However,
when I read this I just had to respond.

<<<I've been trying to figure out why it doesn't come loose when the
bottom is on but will when the bottom is off.>>>>> 

Mike,  Why try to figure it out? If it doesn't come loose when the base
plate is on, that's cool and the way it's supposed to be. So why waste
your time trying to figure out why it comes loose with the base plate
off?  I mean, how many rolls do you expose with the base plate off? :)

Load it, forget it, take pictures!

An example:  When my oldest son was trying to teach me how to use a
computer I kept asking all kinds of "why and how does it do that" and
kept trying to figure out why.  One day in total exasperation: 

"Stop asking reasons why, just press the damn keys and the how and why
happens, it doesn't matter! Do you ask why everything happens when you
take a picture?" Touche' So I stopped asking about internal why things I
didn't need to figure out and the computer continued to work. Of course
much to my surprise.;) 

Just like you and loading. As long as the camera works when you need it,
why sweat the roll loose or on when the base plate is off or on?

Just do it, don't ask why! I mean curiosity killed the cat. Loading an
M6 wont kill you, but fussing with it trying to figure out how and why,
will beget you miss loaded film! There is an old theory, "Don't think
about it, Just do it!"

ted







> It seems to me that the inverted cone-wheel attached to the bottom plate is an
> integral part of the film take-up system. When you shove the bottom plate to,
> the cone-wheel ensures the film leader is engaged where it needs to so that the
> winding mechanism can grab it. If you have a relatively new cassette of film,
> things will go smoothly. If the film has been sitting around awhile, there will
> be a kink in the leader. It is for that reason the back opens to allow some
> access to make sure the edge of the film is not hung up on the film guides.
> 
> I used to fiddle a lot with loading the film. Since, however, M's are supposed
> to be surreptitious and fast, it seemed to me that fiddling with the film
> loading is wrong. I sacrificed a roll of film for learning. To get real fast at
> loading an M, I put on a pair of gloves and practiced loading film over and
> over again with my eyes closed. My method goes something like this:
> 
> - With the camera on the strap, invert the camera so the lens is against your
> stomach/chest.
> - Remove the bottom and hold it in your right hand with the little finger and
> ring finger against the palm (this leaves the thumb and pointer finger free).
> The camera back will flop open.
> - With the film cassette in your left hand, grab the leader with your right
> hand (thumb and forefinger). Draw out the leader as necessary, feeling the base
> of the open camera to gauge the right length.
> - Simultaneously insert the cassette and the leader tip into the camera (the
> cassette naturally into the cassette chamber, and the end of the leader into
> the tongues of the take up spool. It's pretty obvious to the touch so you'll
> not miss after you get the hang of it.
> - A quick check to make sure the film is on the film guides (open back).
> - Close the camera back. Re-install the camera bottom -- snag the pin on the
> camera into the hole of the baseplate, lock the baseplate. (With practice, this
> can be one smooth motion).
> 
> As some others have pointed out, and as the manual says, being too fastidious
> leads to frustration. I've found that after a half-hour of practice I can load
> as quickly and as surely as any other 35mm. Well, maybe not quite as quickly as
> some of these auto advance cameras, but I can reliably load an M in under 7
> seconds.