mikedent Loc: Florida

Hello all-thanks for an informative site! Slightly different topic, tried to load film into my Dad's old Leica IIIa to try it out. After 24 frames I rewound, developed at Walgreens, found out none of the frames had been exposed. Apparently the film leader never was "caught" by the internal winding teeth. Tried again with a new roll before replacing the bottom plate but again the internal teeth gears would not engage into the film holes to advance the film. Did not seem to matter how far in or out the leader was positioned on the receiving spool. Any suggestions or should I just gaze at the camera lovingly? Thanks!

Dean Sturgis

Old 35mm trick: after you close the camera watch the rewind knob as you advance to the first frame you will take pictures on, watch that the rewind knob moves as you take the first few pictures. Because of slack of the film in the cassette it may take a few frames before the the spool in the cassette starts to move. The older cameras that did not have easy loading systems were more difficult. I never had a old Leica but I believe they may have been less certain in loading than most cameras.
It is possible the film transport might not be working. When testing old cameras I like to run a junk roll thru the camera to see if the film does go thru it. This is especially true with power wind cameras. It might be possible that the film transport has been disengaged as for taking intentional double exposures.


dsturgis

mikedent Loc: Florida

I did notice the rewind knob was not rotating but I did not want to re-open the body to check it "just in case". Don't think this body could do double exposures, but for sure the "A or R" liver was set to "A" for advance. Maybe send to a qualified Leica repair person? Like who?

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

There is a Leica dealer in Chicago. (I forget the name right now) they might be able to help you if it is a service issue. I have a Leica IIIF which is essentially the same camera as far as loading is concerned (I believe). I found that it is important to have enough slack in the take up spool when dropping the film (sliding is a better word)into the bottom of the camera. That way the second gear (which is at the top end of the camera now facing down because you had to invert the camera to load the film) has enough room for the film to pass over it and then it should catch. Of course you will want to keep an eye on the rewind knob to ensure that the film is advancing. Hope I did not further confuse the issue. Good luck with it, and let us know how you made out.

mikedent Loc: Florida

Thanks all, I'll dig out another dusty film canister and try. Happy Thanksgiving!

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Please read this:

http://www.zorkikat.com/2009/07/entering-from-the-bottom-loading-a-leica-properly-also-for-fed-zorki-and-canon-rf-cameras/

Pablo8 Loc: Nottingham UK.

You need a longer tongue (half-width) that you will get on a purchased film.Almost the length of the camera. I load my 111c in the following manner. I cut (with a template) the extra half-width of film.Insert the end of the half-width into the take-up spool, outside of the camera. Slide the cassette..film..and take-up spool into the camera through the removed base-plate opening. Turn lever to 'A' (Advance)Turn the winding knob on top of the camera to ensure the take-up spool has engaged with it. Replace base-plate, wind the film advance knob fully, and take up any slack on the re-wind knob. Fire the shutter and wind-on another frame. this time, watching that the re-wind knob also rotates when you wind-on. If it rotates, you are ready to go. Best of shooting with your Leica.

jeryh Loc: Oxfordshire UK

Try this; take the base plate off; drop the film in to the slot at the bottom only half way; you will have a certain amount of 'leader' on the film- pull it out until you can engage the leader in the 'rose' on the take up spool in the camera. make sure the end of the leader is between the lips of the rose, juust enough.
then gently press the film cartridge all the way in to the camera.
Do not put the base plate on yet- gently advance the film, and see if the left hand film knob turns. If it does you are fine- close up the camera, make sure the locking tab is engaged; advance the film until the first exposure '1' is showing; off you go !
This is a rite of passage with the film Leicas- you'll get it soon !

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

Pablo has the right answer....The older Leica's required a longer leader than what comes in the spools. You can find templates on eBay (original Leica ones are expensive)

mikedent Loc: Florida

Thanks to all for the great info and references. Always felt unsure or clumsy about cutting the film in such a specific way. But I'm not using the film for anything else so I'll try it.