RE: [Leica] Getting film into the film gate in M6

["Nguyen, Olivier T [AMSTA-AR-CCF]" <onguyen@pica.army.mil>]

I have the same problem like that too.
I try to load a film on my neighbor M3 camera and i have no problem at all.
why my M6 ?? why ?? I am crying.

- -----Original Message-----
From: Mxsmanic [mailto:mxsmanic@hotmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, August 07, 2001 3:29 AM
To: Leica Mailing List
Subject: [Leica] Getting film into the film gate in M6


Another thread here has raised this question for me.

When I load my M6, I slide the film down into the body as per Leica's
instructions, with the tip of the leader just entering between the tines of
the
take-up spool.  Now, the manual says that I can just put the base plate back
on,
and implies that the base plate will force the film into the correct
position as
I close it.  However, in the past I've noticed tremendous resistance to
this,
mainly because (as far as I can tell) most films have a slight crease in the
leader from where it was positioned until I pulled it out for loading, and
this
crease, which bends towards the film plate, causes the film leader to catch
on
the upper edge of the film guide (nearest the viewfinder), preventing the
film
from sliding completely into the gate.  Closing the base plate does not
appear
to help, as the film is pretty effectively blocked in its movement by this
crease.  My solution is to jiggle the film a little until the crease pops
past
the film guide and the film slides completely into place, then I close the
base
plate.

Is there a more elegant way to accomplish this?  I have hesitated to try
forcing
the base plate, since it _really_ resists this, and I don't want to damage
the
camera or damage the film leader.